About Us
From Military Life to Farm Life
My husband had a dream to retire from his military career and have goats and chickens. This was the last thing I thought I wanted for us. As my husband continued to bring his idea up to me, I pleaded my case with all of the reasons that it would be a bad idea. You see, we were not farmers, and I preferred to sip on my Starbucks while getting my mani/pedi. Travel distances to go shopping and being in the middle of everything was a priority in my life until....
It was Spring time, I went to Tractor Supply Co with a friend and saw these adorable fluffy yellow chicks. I was inspired with great photo possibilities of my children with chicks for Easter, and realized that if I set up a little back yard chicken coop, and raised 3 or 4 chicks for eggs to compliment our vegetable garden, my husband would quickly realize that farming probably wasn't his thing.....lo and behold, it IS my thing! I fell in love with chicken-keeping and it replaced my passion for shopping and such.
We have grown our hobby to a 10 acre farm where we raise ADGA registered Nigerian Dwarf goats for dairy production and show, laying hens, farm fresh eggs, as well as herdshare opportunities which provides raw milk and eggs to our shareholders here in the West Point, VA and surrounding areas. So, what once was my worst nightmare is now MY dream life. I suppose this is how I accidentally became a farmer.
Nestled among the York River, the Pamunkey River and the Mattaponi River in beautiful West Point,VA
We are Dave and Shelley Gholson of Riverwatch Farm. Riverwatch Farm is a small family/veteran owned dairy goat farm located in West Point, VA. We raise ADGA registered Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats and offer herdshare opportunities, fresh eggs, pet milk and other value added products to our local and surrounding communities.
We are dedicated and committed to making a significant improvement in the quality of Nigerian Dwarf goats in the dairy goat community.
Striving towards furthering our knowledge through various training opportunities like Langston University's Quality Dairy Goat Improvement Certification, working closely with our experienced farm vet, utilizing the data available to us through DHIR milk testing and Linear Appraisals through ADGA, we are continuously striving to offer the very highest quality breeding program possible. We take the same pride and care with all products that come from our farm, to include the cleanest raw milk standards, as well as other value added products. We will also continue to place an emphasis on Farmers Helping Farmers by working alongside other local farms in an effort to support one another.
Certifications & Memberships
- American Dairy Goat Association Plus
- American Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Association
- Quality Dairy Goat Producer from Langston University
- FAMACHA Certification
