When I started doing Facebook Live videos of the actual goat births, it was with the intention of helping other goat owners learn how to prevent and handle problem births.
I never intended for it to become so popular with people who didn't own goats. I never expected people to love watching them so much. And I certainly didn't plan on it taking so much of my family's time to record the videos and respond as needed to the comments.
And unfortunately, it has simply become unsustainable.
We often receive comments from people who get mad at me or upset with the family if we don't film a birth live. Yes, they try to make it sound like they are being friendly, but the passive-aggressive comments aren't very helpful.
Many people also expect us to film in the middle of the night and on Sundays and let us know that they aren't happy if we don't film a birth that happens during these time frames.
And the reality is that when you are constantly told how much you disappoint people because you didn't film a birth or because you never choose their baby goat name recommendation, it takes all of the joy out of doing anything nice.
My family are all hard workers. But right now, we're working too long. The children are all growing up and developing lives outside of the farm. And so we've been putting plans into effect for the Jonases and Wersts to actually have a 5 day work week instead of a 6 or 7 day work week. And that means re-evaluating everything we do.
For 3 years now, we've tried to catch every birth and film it because we love our followers and we always try to exceed their expectations. But going into Kidding Season 2020, I was already worn out and simply couldn't do it anymore.
And so I started the season asking my children to do most of the live videos. And some people (even before the haters arrived en masse) were terrible and mean to my little girls. And so that's why Colter took time away from all of his jobs he needs to do and started narrating a lot of the live videos - to spare the girls.
But we knew that wasn't a sustainable solution either. Because our time is finite and because of these issues, after the 2020 Alpine birthing season, we decided that we would have to make a major change to how we shared the Facebook live goat birth videos.
And then in early/mid-February, the Facebook live goat birth videos were inundated with haters and trolls. We'd always had haters and trolls in the past, but this achieved a new level with people attacking me, the family, and the children as individuals. It wasn't simply disagreeing with the way we run our farm, it was attacking our motives, spewing hate, and maligning our love for our animals.
And so the haters and trolls moved up the timeline for us to implement changes to the way we live video the births.
And so, for the emotional and physical well-being of my family - which directly correlates to the well being of our goats - we will no longer continue to Facebook Live all the births for free.
Going forward, the birth videos have to pay for themselves and the resources they consume, in order for me to be able to devote resources to them. If a Jonas/Werst family member is recording the video, we either have to work extra hours to make up for that time, or we have to pay somebody else to do the jobs we would have done during that time. And as I've mentioned, that is no longer sustainable.
We are also hoping, by no longer having the videos be available for free, that it will prevent the haters and trolls from spending their time attacking us. We will also now have complete control and the ability to remove them which we don't have directly on our Facebook page.
We would love to have you be able to continue to watch the live birth videos. You can do so by supporting us at our Patreon page and becoming a Patron.
Once you become a Patron, for as little as $5 a month, you will have 24-hour access to all 8 live streaming barn cameras (9 cameras when you become a "Goat Hero"). You will also be added to a private, Patron-Only Facebook Group where we will do the Facebook Live videos of the goat births.
I'm sorry for those of you who cannot afford $5 a month to continue watching these birth videos. We still have the free camera available that shows the baby goat experience pen. And we will continue to do Facebook live videos as time allows, simply not of the births.
I hope that you can understand that I can no longer continue to video the goat births for free and subject my family to online attack and the threat of actual attack.
We love our goats. We love our fans. We love our customers. And we love our Patrons. (Many of you overlap those groups!) Thank you for all the care and concern you've always shown our family. It's the good people out there that keep us going!
We appreciate your continued support and hope to see many of you in the private, Patron Only Facebook group.
I’m so sorry haters and trolls attacked your family. They have no idea of the love and goodness In your hearts that caused you to share these videos. Thank you for protecting your family. And then the trolls came to the sweet puppy videos. Thank you for creating a group. It’s so sad what the haters are doing to our beloved country. Stand strong Jonas family! You are part of what made this country great. Thank you for sharing what you can when you can. I love learning from you. And I love your products! Blessings to you.
I just want to say how sorry I am that your family has had to endure this kind of thing on facebook!!! I don’t do facebook much only to keep in contact with family members. So many mean spirited people in this world it seems.
I have ordered soaps from you before I got into having my own dairy goats for my family 4 years ago. And now I make my own yogurt, kefir and cheese and have my daughter in law to make our families soap.
But I wanted to tell you that I learned a lot from some of your early blogs regarding goat health and management and I just really hate that your family has had to endure this kind of abuse when all you were doing was trying to share love. I always got a kick out of your kids music videos.
I have two alpines and just kidded out babies this year and was checking on your website to see what you were feeding as I am no longer able to get a dairy feed I was using that was GMO free and am looking at putting something together myself from whole grains such as horse oats, barley and a little BOSS. I understand though if you do not have time to share your feeding practices. And also we are in totally different areas. But I seem to remember that you used oats and barley.Blessings on you and your family. And protect yourself from hateful people. They do not deserve to sap your energy.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Hall
I am so sorry for the pain your family endured, particularly because you were trying to do something nice for others. Please know there are so many more people who love and appreciate your family and products than haters who only enjoy causing pain and chaos. I tell everyone I know that you make the very best soap imaginable and will be a customer as long as you are in business making your awesome and healthy products. I started purchasing years ago when I discovered you at the Amish Acres fair I. Nappanee IN one summer and have been happily using your Wonderful soap ever since that time. Huge hugs for all of you, best wishes in the future.
I just wanted to let you know, I love your family, love what you do, and love your products. I have been a fan of your family since you appeared on Huckabee years ago. You are an awesome, hardworking family with values. I watched the kids growing up, get married and be blessed with a grandchild. I am absolutely horrified by the behavior of people towards your family and children, which you describe from Facebook. I had no idea, I’m not on Facebook. Wow, just wow. Please let your children know how great I think they are….not much just me out here, but really what a great family you have and how blessed you are. Keep up the good work loving each other and living life. Just one person out here who is a big fan of all of you. Bless you.
Debra Butler
Elmhurst, IL
Please not for publishing – new to goat milk and all this – God bless you for your work – clearly you give great attention to detail – delighted with my products – more than thrilled that you put Jesus’ name in the center of the sweet catalog you sent to me. Could sense it before I read it. Good work and Bravo! God bless you – just wanted to send a note of encouragement – air hugs – Patricia
I am so sorry you have been treated in such an unkind way. I have always loved GOAT MILK STUFF. and cannot understand why people would attack your live goat birth videos. I will be praying for you all….that you will experience the LORDs rest and peace. You are a WONDERFUL family and raising your children so richly with good industry and strength and virtue!.
.I have never been on Facebook but u derstand why many with businesses are…..So glad you recognized the harm that evil people are doing in being mean and hurtful. Do whatever you need to protect your precious family.
You are much loved and revered for all you do !
Love and blessings,
Linda McQuade
WOW! People are being mean to you guy’s???
I am so sorry that your guys, especially your children, have had to experience such hate. I, personally, don’t watch the videos. But my sister, Shana Mick, watches them all the time. She has MS and is confided to a wheelchair and she will set her alarm to get up in the middle of the night to watch lol. I am glad she will be able to pay the small fee to still watch. We love your products! Don’t feel bad for doing what you have to do to protect your family. I love that your whole family is so involved with your family business. Love and prayers from West Virginia! Stay safe!
It’s so sad that some people are simply destined to be haters. What on earth would make them think they know more (and therefore feel righteous in leaving rude, nasty comments) about goat births than a family who has done it so successfully and lovingly for decades? Unfortunately, there are people like me who refuse to Facebook (for reasons just like that, not to mention having my personal info available for hacking) and now have no recourse to see the babies being born and watch the Jonas family deftly interact with the mamas and infants. At least I’ll have the one camera left to see the babies play! I became a customer several years ago after losing my gm soap supplier of 15 years… I simply lucked into goatmilkstuff during an online search. Thank you for your soaps and letting us into your lives!
I rarely watched the births myself because, well – queezy stomach (chuckle), but I am absolutely amazed that you had haters and trolls over these videos. These people seriously need to get lives. I’m so sorry your family was put through that. <3
I’m so sorry to hear that people have been so rude to you guys when you were just trying to provide something nice for your followers/customers! You guys are awesome, as are your goats and products.
I loved the birth videos. I am so sorry all this has happened to your family I will never understand why or how people do the things they do. Keep up the good work and hope to visit again when you open My grandson really enjoyed it last summer stay healthy
I’m so sorry to hear about the awful harrassment you’ve received! Who would think something as sweet as goat births would bring out trolls!?! I guess they are everywhere and it’s a sign that you are gaining in popularity. So unfortunate though. I have a sewing channel on YouTube which is typically such a great group of people who are supportive of one another but I, too, have noticed as the channel grows, I’m getting more and more trolls. Kudos to you in moving the platform to a paid site. Good idea!
I enjoyed watching the birthing experience. I found it to be very interesting. That said, I am sorry that your family became the recipients of haters. It is a shame how disrespectful people have become about things they probably know nothing about. We have been to your farm. We have done the tours and the BGE. Spent several hours there with our grandchildren. They love it. We have witnessed, first hand, how lovely your family is. Thank you for opening your farm to the ones that respect what you do.
Sincerely,
Marge Witte
Greenfield, IN
I’m hurt that I won’t get to watch the birth of the precious baby goats.
I’m even more hurt and angry that people are threatening your family and business. I much rather you all be safe including ALL YOUR ANIMALS then me sitting here enjoying your wonderful videos.
Please be safe! I will still look forward to your other videos.
I will say a prayer for your family
Love,
Elanore
Hi, I’m a new customer and have never watched the videos, but followed this link on the newsletter since I was curious. Some people can be awful and the era of social media just makes it easier for them. I loved getting your newsletter with my first purchase and learning about the farm and your family. I think you guys are great and what you do seems like hard work with a lot of care put into it! I’m so happy I found your soap, after several years of searching. It’s gentle on my daughter’s eczema. So, Thank you! And I’m sure the baby goat cam experience is adorable!
You are an amazing family. Your products are the best and to be able to run it with your family is truly a blessing. I am so sorry for the negative comments. May God continue to bless your family & your business. I so appreciate the fabulous products and the love you have for all of your animals. The kitties are my favorite next to the baby goats :-) God’s blessing Anne from Montana
You all are doing a fantastic job! We love everything at GMS. You have to do what is right by you and your family.
We had an excellent experience Friday evening with Greyden, Jade, and Ashton. Thanks again!!
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SONDRA WOOSLEY
August 03, 2021
Thanks for sending me the link.. ..I read everything and totally understand now…You all are good people! Id say those people lack Happiness in their lives and want to make others others miserable.. Turning to God would benefit them greatly..Just saying….Keep up the good work!! God Bless..