Last Word with The Beekman Boys

Big needn’t equal bad. Last fall, we launched a food line with Target called Beekman 1802 Farm Pantry. We source ingredients from small farms, and we’re able to give 25 percent of the profits back to small farms. – Brent Ridge

Just because we’re on TV doesn’t mean we’re not “real” farmers. It’s us and one goat keeper, plus an intern during kidding season, minding a herd of 147. We also raise chickens and grow 100 varieties of heirloom fruits and vegetables. – Josh Kilmer-Purcell

Here’s what farm-fantasists should know: You can’t expect to bring home the bacon right away. We hope other people get to live the dream, too, but they’ll want a short-term source of income to keep the dream alive. – B.R.

Homophobia is a luxury of the middle class. We haven’t experienced a single incident with our neighbors in Sharon Springs. Rural Americans have better things to do with their time. – J.K-P.

Goats will break your heart. The babies don’t have a 100 percent survival rate. We lose one or two each season. It never gets easier. – J.K-P.

They’ll also make you a better person. Goats don’t have the psychological stresses we put on ourselves. As long as they’re well-fed and comfortable, they’re happy. Which reminds us how we should be. – B.R.

The spring/summer issue of Kilmer-Purcell and Ridge’s magazine, Beekman 1802 Almanac, is available on newsstands and at beekman1802.com.