Welcome to Araby Farm Saanens! We are located in a beautiful area of central New Jersey, surrounded by almost 3000 acres of preserved farmland and open space. We purchased our little place in 1976. The name Araby Farm was the name of Nelson’s ancestor’s home place located in Northern Virginia. When we acquired our first goats and needed a herd name, we were honored to be able to adopt the family farm name.

 

We were an unlikely couple, coming from two entirely different backgrounds. Nelson having been raised on a purebred Angus farm in North Carolina and I, coming from a very small factory town in New Jersey. We met in 1971 and married in 1973 and moved to Hillsborough in 1976. The one very strong thing we had in common, was our love for animals. We have always had a menagerie of dogs and cats and although it seemed bizarre to our friends and family, we purchased our first two grade does in 1991. We loved their personalities, so it didn’t take long before we realized that it was not going to be a novelty, but something we wanted to become seriously involved with. In 1996 we purchased our first two purebred Saanens, GayMor Sno-Cal’s Jubilant and Windmill Acres Mystic. These two does became the foundation to our herd.

 

We started off slowly with this adventure, only planning to have a few goats so that we could sponsor local 4H kids. As we began going to open shows, the fever started! Open shows were fun and we met a great deal of wonderful people. We would go to as many shows as we could and in 1997 officially attended our first National Show in Harrisburg. Oh, how exciting it was to make the cut! We didn’t attend another National Show until 2004, again in Harrisburg. Our girls did very well, and we were so excited to have the first place Get of Sire. In 2010, Nelson took off for the National Show in Louisville. It had been a long time since we had attended a National Show and really wanted to get out there to see how our girls would do in national completion. What an experience! Junior National Champion, with Araby Farm Hocus Pocus, first place Junior Get of Sire and Best 3 Junior Females. It made us proud. In 2010, West Springfield, MA, the National show was just up the road and again, we were proud of our girl’s accomplishments. Our beautiful Monique was the first place 5&6 Year Old, and Best Udder and another up and coming star is the stunning Heather, who became the 2nd place 3 Year Old. Doing well at the Nationals is a testimonial of the hard work and effort that goes into having a beautiful, healthy herd, but it can all be summed up in one picture……the love they give us in return.

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Going to the ADGA National Show, has always been an exciting time for us.  Although we have only been to a small number of National shows, as compared to other goat enthusiasts, the ladies of  Araby Farm have always done something notable, and made us proud.  In 2004, we had the first place get of sire, with Aspen Hill's Mighty Maxwell.  In 2010 we were honored with the Junior National Champion, Araby Farm CCA Hocus Pocus.  In 2011, Araby Farm SK Monique, was the first place 5-6 year old and best udder.  In 2014, all but 3 of our does were in the top 10 of their respective classes.  Each and every National show experience, has made us very proud of our girls and what they were able to achieve for us.  So, with the 2016 show being held in Harrisburg, virtually in our back yard, we planned long and hard to make it the best show ever for us.  And it was!

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We watched Just-Tina mature from an "over-conditioned"  2 year old, into this amazing, well balanced 3 year old, and we felt that if we were ever going to have a chance at a National Champion, this very well could be it.  And it was!  Never, did we think, however, that it would turn out to be the most memorable time of our" goat" lives.  We also knew that Avery, was an impressive kid. 

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The show for us started with excitement and anticipation.  Araby Farm TPE Avery becoming the junior national champion.  We had the first and third place senior yearlings.  First and second place junior get of sires and first place junior best 3.  Whew!  What a night, right?  And then it just got better.  Araby Farm AHRB Just-Tina, first place 3 year old.  Araby Farm Marrekesh, first place 2 year old, the grand-daughter of our beloved Monique.  We held our breath as the judges worked to pick their Grand and Reserve.  And then, the moment we all dream about, became reality!  Just-Tina, chosen as the National Champion and best udder.  But it did not stop there.  First place senior get of sire with Aspen Hill's Rain Beau.  First place best 3 senior does, first place dairy herd, 2nd and 3rd place produce of dam.  And then one of the highest honors breeders can receive, we were awarded The premier breeder award. 

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All in all, life has been good to us.  We have been surrounded by devoted family and friends, and we thank each and every one of them for their support.  Our hope is, that each of you would have an opportunity to enjoy the rewards of your hard work. 

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Thanks for looking to Araby Farm for your next herd sire or adding a quality doe to your herd.