A three-week road trip from California to Maine and back took the Mullenax duo on a honeymoon visiting ranches, zoos, prairies and national parks to learn more about the diverse practices in keeping and caring for species of interest.
How it Started
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We started a farm unintentionally with just 20 acres, a fixer-upper off-grid home, and zero dollars in our bank account. Our coffee table was literally two wood pallets with some rough cut logs sandwiched between them. Between the two of us, we each only owned one item of furniture to start our lives with. Family and friends were generous in their time, knowledge, and extra furniture to help us start our journey.
I think looking back, some of our friends and family thought we were crazy moving from the city to our new rural life. (We were crazy 'optimistic' in my opinion.) To be completely honest it was a complete 180 from where we had come from. However, and this can be true for any age or new journey, things are very exciting when you're young!
Now over eight years later and we are crazy passionate about farming and providing wholesome, sustainable alternatives to others. We believe there's a better way to do things and we want to be part of that positive direction and sharing that message with others. Food should not make people sick. Food should nourish, heal, help you perform, and it should be accessible and easy to understand.
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Our goal is to create a symbiotic relationship between our farming practices and the land itself. Utilizing farming as a tool to improve the land's health; top soil, water retention and soil microbiology for example.
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HOW DID THE GOAT YOGA START?
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Alex thought she would be continuing her 25+ years of experience and passion for exotic birds, but soon discovered they were not a good fit for their new location. Her entry into Nigerian Dwarf Goats led to the statewide mobile goat yoga program, California Goat Yoga, servicing the state for 7+ years. It became mobile due to all the 'red tape' involved hosting the public at the ranch.
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The ranch is now a little over 200 acres with an ~300 acres leased as-needed annually. The farm book library is full; yet always expanding. Everyone has different chapters to their lives, so does our ranch and our own lives.
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Registered American Highland Cattle are now a primary focus for the ranch, in addition to the run-a-muck little goats and other animals.
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Mullenax Ranch has changed and grown in many ways since its conception in 2016, finding itself both farm and ranch with a true focus on the farm and bringing high quality food, service and experiences to the community.
It's a passion and privilege to farm for our community and to share what we do with others looking to farm and homestead. I believe with the right attitude and work ethic, you can start from anywhere and work towards your farming vision. There may be setbacks, challenges, starting over, scrapping a project, or going back to slingshot forward...but it is 100% doable. Our own farming journey has had many ups, many downs, and many challenges. It's been incredibly rewarding and we couldn't imagine doing anything else to occupy our time here on earth.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
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Snowflake, the Office Goat and the one who started it all. Wedding ring-bearer, general assistant, Queen of the goat herd and ambassador of the ranch, Snowflake was the true start of our farming adventure and career. Her legacy and lineage lives on.