The Singing Cricket and Song of Joy herds reside on a small farm nestled in the foothills of the Heldeberg Mountains of upstate New York, about fifteen minutes from Albany.  We began raising goats in the late 1970's because we wanted to drink something other than cow's milk. Our first Alpine does came from the La Bonne Terre herd of Monique Roeth, and it was on her recommendation that we began to seek out high-quality, registered stock. We purchased a few Nubians and were fortunate to begin our herd with one of the last doe kids born on the Vermont farm of Helen Staver, Mountain Hearth Kricket. While on a cross-country road trip in 1981, we saw a hand-painted sign advertising goat's milk for sale on a little road in Oklahoma. That afternoon, we met Ivan and Barbara Rissler and their wonderful children.  

The following year, 1982, Ivan chose a kid for us out of their doe Mercy. Price O The Field Sweet Melody went on to become our first finished champion, and all our animals' pedigrees trace back to her. That summer, Mercy became National Grand Champion and Best Udder at the age of 2.  

Our friendship with the Risslers continued, and in 1986, we obtained a buck from them, Price O The Field Royal Mark. He went on to sire the 1988 National Junior Champion, Singing Cricket May Wicket, as well as many fine daughters who have played key roles in the herd's development. It was a daughter of Melody and Mark, Singing Cricket Sweet Song, that became the foundation for Song of Joy.  

By the early 1990's, our herd had grown to include over 50 animals. This proved to be too large a group to maintain on our small property. So, we cut back, refocusing on the bloodlines that have always served us well; including Price O The Field, Kastdemur's, C/F, Kismet, Dayspring, and, with the 2001 arrival of our senior herd sire, Royal Cedars. We now try to maintain a herd of 20 animals, and we have found that this allows us to truly enjoy and give special attention to each and every goat.  

Over the years, breeding goats has been a shared passion and adventure for a mother and daughter. As the herds have evolved, we have each focused on slightly different goals. Ginny has remained true to her value of a goat as a versatile, hard-working animal, and has bred does that pack, drive, and provide therapy for the disabled. Stephanie, in turn, has aimed for animals with equal parts power and dairyness who can maintain a long, steady lactation, and she has been responsible for keeping both herds active in the ADGA programs such as DHIR, linear appraisal, and showing. While the styles of the herds are somewhat different, the high priority placed on exceptional temperaments is a well-known characteristic of all the animals we breed.  

We have learned a lot from our animals, met many wonderful people, and have stories and memories that will last us a lifetime. While we take pride in the quality of our herd and look forward to seeing it blossom in the future, we could not have achieved any of it without the contributions of breeders before us. We started in goats at a time when many of the old-time breeders, who cherished their goats simply because they were goats, were still active and able to provide guidance and an example to us. In this spirit, we try to encourage all those who share our passion and dedication to dairy goats, enjoying history as it unfolds, happy to be a small part of it.