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Syncope Falls Farm
Breeders of Fainting Goats &
Karakachan Livestock Guardian Dogs

It's AMAZING, it's INCREDIBLE, it's UNHEARD OF...seen here for the first time at Syncope Falls....the one, the only...FAINTING BANTAM CHICKEN!!!!! The "Fainting" seems to be catching!!! The goats have nothing on this bird!!!

Syncope Falls is proud to announce it has the bragging rights to two of the youngest chicken whispers East of the Mississippi - they have worked their magic again!!!!

After extensive research we have decided to add a Swiss dairy goat to the farm. Everyone has heard about the high nutritional value of goat's milk and we decided it would be useful to have such a source to improve our feeding programs for our Karakachans and, if needed, kids. We have also started experimenting to see if we can make goat milk soap. You can see a picture of Nellie to the left.

Nellie came to our farm already bred by a pedigreed Alpine sire and she gave birth to three kids (2 bucklings and 1 doeling) at the end of March. You can see the adorable kids on the For Sale page.

Opening of the dog show by a traditionally dressed Gaida (bulgarian bagpipes) player

On the way to Vlahi - yes, it's a stork!

On the way to Vlahi, the bulgarian countryside

Dog collars, sheep and goat bells at the educational center in Vlahi

If prompted, you may need to click to allow Windows Media Player to run to see the video.

Spreading the joy of the faint

Some said it was impossible - you may even think this could never be done. But seeing is believing, and here you will see the fabulous, the fabled, fainting frog and toad.

And even more mind blowing - they got them to faint so hard, the frog and toad were stackable!

After the faint, they were safely returned to their containers and live to faint another day.

"We returned from Bulgaria on May 10, 2010, where we visited with the Sedefchevs family of BBPS Semperviva. Here are some pictures and a video from our trip." "We also had another article we wrote about our Karakachan LGDs published and you can find it in the: http://www.sheepmagazine.com/issues/31/31-2/karakachan_livestock_guardian_dogs.html"

Also, the fainting education skills of our young herd hands continue - see below"

Here Nellie proudly displays a handmade goat bell sent to us by our dear friends, the Sedefchevs, in Bulgaria. Several bells and a Karakachan dog collar were masterfully crafted to add even more Bulgarian charm to our farm. We love hearing "the music of the mountains".

Nellie is not only providing milk for the family and new babies, we have up and coming plans for goat milk soap and to implement raw milk fertilization to our fields.

One of our all time favorite things here on the farm is birthdays. The only thing better is birthday surprises. Thanks to Susie in Florida, who had the wonderful idea of buying two of our goats, and Syncope Falls t-shirts, for Lin for her birthday. We don't usually deliver goats, but in this case, being able to surprise someone on their birthday with fainters, we jumped at the chance to bring some laughter to Lin. We had the happy privilege of being able to celebrate Lin's birthday with her and delivered two fainters to her Camp Karma in Bedford, Va on 7/15/11. We dressed the goats up and had them in fine birthday surprise form - you can see the pictures below.

But now, we have to tell you about Lin's camp. We were impressed. Camp Karma is open for it's first camping season this summer, and what an outstanding campground it is!! Not only does it boast of plenty of woodland, a rippling river below the campsites, and the cleanest bath house East of the Mississippi, but it truly is a "Feel Good" place to be!

Camp Karma is loaded with smiles, and we know that Bubba and Yee-Haw will only add to it's charm! The Peaks of Otter, and the Blue Ridge Parkway surround this charming campground. If ever you want to get away "from it all", kick back and share some smiles and laughter, CampKarma is the place for you! (And remember, the bath house is as CLEAN as Granny's church dress!) www.CampKarmaVirginia.com"

Two dressed up fainting goats + a birthday surprise = one happy Lin. And that's good Karma.

Yee Haw! and Bubba are here to get this birthday party started!!

The birthday surprise delivery mobile + the loveliest, cleanest camp bath house EVER.

Our herdmaster says, "We are thankful for a good summer. We worked hard, put up hay, canned vegetables from the garden and we are ready for winter. We also made time to play, our herd hands learned to water ski on the lake, we had plenty of hikes in the fields and the goats and dogs are glad that the heat of summer is over.

Fall is one of our favorite seasons. We get to slow down a bit and enjoy the cooler weather. We have paired the goats up for the breeding season and will have many kids to look forward to in the Spring.

As updates from our October 1 events:

Fall Festival at Cecil's Chapel Church - our Syncope Falls Farm hand made goat milk soap, as well as our old fashioned Lard and Lye soap, were a hit at the sale and we are now taking orders for Christmas. The available soap scents will be: Lavendar, Vanilla, Cloves and Peppermint. And of course, we'll have Lard and Lye which has proven popular with hunters as it has no scent.

Syncope Falls Farm Goats at Foggy Ridge Cider - We brought some of our goats, and laughter, to the Fall Open House at Foggy Ridge Cider, which is located in Dugspar, VA (about 20 miles from Floyd, VA). We introduced many people to the wonder that is the fainting goat and had some costume contests - and you can see a few of the photos below.

"I want you ladies to know that they have a box of costumes and they are not afraid to use them!! " "And yes, you do look as good as I do".