Barb Bailey raises goats and makes soap from their milk

One of Patchwork Acres Farms Nubian goats. (Laura Simon)

Barb Bailey and one of her Nubian goats at her Patchwork Acres Farm near Marble Hill. (Laura Simon)

Barb Bailey and her husband, Tony, both grew up on farms in Missouri -- she in Cape Girardeau County and he in Texas County. Though they lived in Cape Girardeau for awhile, they always planned to move back to the country someday.

They settled in Bollinger County in 1998 and soon took up a number of new pursuits. First came the rabbits. Then the chickens. Then the goats. And, of course, the cats and dogs.

In addition to caring for the animals every day, Barb uses the goats' milk to make soap, yogurt and cheese. She also spins wool into yarn, makes baked goods and jams, gardens, knits, draws and sews. She's a member of the Cat Ranch Art Guild in Marble Hill, Mo., and her soaps are sold at Mozaic Art Studio in downtown Cape Girardeau and at the farmers markets in Jackson, Marble Hill and Fredericktown, Mo.

"I never complain about being bored. There are too many things I have to do and too many things I like to do," she says.

Barb grew up taking care of chickens, and her family also had cattle, hogs, rabbits, horses, mules, geese, turkeys, cats and dogs. But when her husband suggested getting goats, it was new territory. The couple did Internet research to learn the basics, and were soon caring for several goats as pets, and raising some for meat as well.

At the time, Barb had a friend in Kennett, Mo., who made soap from canned goat milk. She asked Barb, "Have you ever thought of making soap and selling it at the farmers markets? People love that stuff."

Barb did some more Internet research, but wasn't sure she wanted to tackle soap making. Her friend invited her over and showed her the ropes, and Barb thought maybe she could make soap, after all. She ordered lye and olive oil, tried making her own soap, and was selling it with success by 2004.

A bar of Patchwork Acres' Madagascar vanilla goat milk soap. (LAURA SIMON)

After mixing the oils, milk, lye and fragrance, the soaps sit in molds for about 24 hours before Barb stamps each bar with a design. They cure for a month, then Barb bevels the edges, wraps them in "Patchwork Acres Goat Milk Soap" labels, and they're ready for sale.

The benefits of using goat milk in soaps are numerous, says Barb. The soap is naturally moisturizing with a pH close to that of the skin, so it's very mild. It's natural, without all the chemicals of detergent soaps you buy in stores, and the alpha hydroxy acids found in goat's milk have rejuvenating qualities.

"It's fun," she adds. "I like when I'm trying something new, to see what it's going to do."

Sometimes the soaps change colors during the process, and she likes trying different scents: red tulip, garden party, Madagascar vanilla, oatmeal and honey and kudzu blossom are some of her favorites.

Aside from practical uses for her animals, Barb enjoys caring for them. They're like pets, she says, and most of her animals have names -- like Magnum, Princess and Cinnamon the goats, and Mr. Skittish the rooster.

"The goats are like big puppy dogs," she says. "They love attention and they all have their own personalities. It's funny to watch them interact with each other. There's always a head boss goat, and he'll push the others around -- he's bossy. Some are quiet and shy and stand back. Some will come up to you right away to sniff your hand and make sure you pet them."