Exploring Life & Business with Reece Bickerdyke of Rocking AR Goats

Today we’d like to introduce you to Reece Bickerdyke.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always had a passion for raising animals and the natural world. I’ve worked with a number of species including deer and camels, but eventually became focused on raising goats. I started working on a goat dairy where we also processed the milk into cheeses. I wanted to start my own herd, and got started with kiko goats. These hardy goats are well adapted to the harsh environment in Arizona and I became obsessed with them. We started grazing our herd at neighboring ranches as a way to explore using goats for land management. From there we grew the operation and started taking on larger projects. We’ve grown to a commercial entity, where we focus on large scale land management projects.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There wasn’t anyone else doing this in the state of Arizona and we had to learn a lot. Something as simple as setting up containment for the goats has to be tuned to our rocky and dry soil. We’ve also had to adjust people’s perspective on goats as a land management tool. This isn’t something everyone is exposed to, and some think it’s a novelty. A big part of our mission is educating people that goats can be a practical tool, and in some situations our perform other traditional resources.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Rocking AR Goats?
We use goats for land management. We believe they offer a natural way to solve an ever present issue of unwanted vegetation. From weed removal to fire suppression our goats do it all. We work on large projects, where vegetation needs to be managed at scale. We work closely with water utility companies and other land managers to help with weed removal or fire suppression. Goats are at the core of our business and what drives us. The goats love their jobs and get the opportunity to make an impact across the entire state.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We love spreading the word of goats as a land management tool. We’re always happy to meet with people and educate them about this method of handling vegetation. Phone is the best way to get ahold of us, but email works too. We’re working with the University of Arizona and would be happy to work with other groups committed to sustainable land management.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rockingargoats.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockinargoats?igsh=MW9sY2I3amRzbmc0ag%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CSPh3tpUT/?mibextid=wwXIfr