Photos Provided: Alexis
Growing up on a third-generation dairy farm, what values or lessons from your childhood have stayed with you and shaped your business today?
Growing up on a third-generation dairy farm taught me responsibility and to have a strong work ethic. To keep moving forward through the good seasons, the hard ones and when every day would feel the same. I believe that really shaped who I am over the years and how I apply myself to my soap business and raising goats.
- You were taught early to be a good steward of land and animals. How does that foundation influence the way you run your business now?
I am very fortunate to have been raised in a Christian home and family. My siblings and I were taught from a very young age that we are to be good stewards of the land and animals that God had entrusted in our care and to have. That is a value that my husband and I will carry on and teach to our children. I would say my faith and relationship with Christ have influenced how I approach and run my business. To have faith and trust that this business will be prosperous and provide for our needs.
How did your Celiac diagnosis at 14 lead you to discover dairy goats and their benefits?
When I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease at 14 years old, it was quite the eye opener to what this auto immune disease is, how it had been affecting my health through my childhood and how it could progress in the future if not managed carefully. After a hospital stay, I was so afraid to use skincare, shampoos and even eat different foods. The options for a gluten free lifestyle then were not what they are today. For a while I lived solely on eggs because I was afraid to get really sick again. Thankfully, we had an abundance of laying hens on the farm. In doing much research, my mom discovered all the amazing benefits that goat milk could provide. Goats milk is easier to digest and has a higher mineral absorption than cow milk. Fewer allergenic proteins, even with its higher cream and milk fat content. As well as the benefits that skincare products and soaps made from the goat milk would provide.
Can you share what it was like bringing home your first Alpine bottle babies in 2013 and how that moment changed your path?
My first bottle babies, Reece and Izzy. Two little alpine doelings, who started off as a half joking-half serious suggestion. My parents were making a weekend trip to Indiana where my uncle farms a large dairy goat operation. When wishing their trip well, I told them to let my uncle know that I need a milk goat or two. I was shocked when they came home with two little goats in the backseat but also very happy and excited. It was love at first sight. It quickly became a lot of work bottle feeding them three times a day. I was committed and determined to see it through. Two goats multiplied to a dozen and then to 40 head before my move West. Goats were a new learning curve then and still are to this day sometimes. When I think I have seen or experienced it all, I am quickly humbled.
Your aunt taught you your first goat milk soap recipe. How did her encouragement shape your creativity and confidence as a soap maker?
Once Reece and Izzy were officially in milk that following spring, my aunt taught me a simple beginners goat milk soap recipe on one of their visits, that had been taught to her. She told me to be bold, creative and have fun experimenting to formulate my very own recipe and research my own ingredients. My aunt is a phenomenal soap maker and has her own successful business. Our products and styles are very different from one another. We still cheer one another on, encourage and share ideas with one another. I really look up to her and I am constantly inspired.
What were those early vendor events and markets like, and how did they help you build your initial clientele?
The start of my early vendor events and markets were very much trial and error. I originally started Farmgirl Creations making hand painted signs, fence post snowmen and bird houses made from treasures I found around the farm. I then added my two kinds of goat milk soap that I had taught myself to make. As time went on, the soap was selling. Not the wooden crafts and creations. Then I was being contacted for soap orders outside of events and a couple local shops began carrying and promoting my goat milk soap. It motivated me to be brave. Offer more fragrance choices than fragrance free and lemon zest. And to try other products. Now we have a wide selection. From our goat milk soap, shampoo and conditioner bars, salves and tub soaks to name a few. We also just launched a skincare line this summer.
Moving your goats across states even milking at truck stops, is an incredible story. What did that journey teach you about resilience and dedication?
Moving from Western New York to Montana, driving across the states with my family, our horses, dogs and my goats will always be a story we remember and share. My brother and I were in charge of getting the animals from point A to point B with the plan to drive straight through. Stopping to fuel the truck, feed and water animals, milk goats and to take short naps when needed. It took us two and a half days to reach our destination, Dutton MT. We routinely stopped twice a day to let horses out to stretch their legs. Water and feed all animals. I had downsized my dairy goat herd significantly. I kept one billy goat. There were 6 doe's to milk and 8 babies to feed before getting back on the road and pushing to get there. It was mid-August and very warm out in the high 90's. That journey did teach us resilience and dedication. It showed me that anything is possible and what you love and care about the most, you will do anything for and can find a way to make it happen.
How has settling in Dutton and Carter, Montana shaped your family, your lifestyle, and your business today?
Settling into Dutton first, and now Carter, immediately felt like home for my family and myself. The farming community is so welcoming and we have been blessed with so many opportunities. Local jobs, found a wonderful church and put down roots in Montana. My siblings and I all found our spouses and have started families. I married a farmer and moved to Carter area two years ago. We live 50 miles from the nearest town and drive 30 miles of gravel before we reach pavement. It is the middle of nowhere to most, but to us it is home. I can confidently say that my business really had not taken off until I met my husband, Cole. He is the driving force behind marketing, creating our website and encourages me to push outside my comfort zone. We had our first child last year and the opportunity presented itself to resign from my job in town and to be a stay-at-home mom and pursue Farmgirl Creations full time. I am so thankful to be in this season of life. It truly is a gift, motherhood. My days are spent chasing goats, our little guy and making soap.
You emphasize quality over quantity. What makes your small-batch goat milk soap unique compared to mass-produced products?
Quality over quantity to me is very important. I strive to keep my ingredients simple, clean and sourced locally, strictly found in the U.S. and from other agricultural producers. I enjoy gardening and canning each summer and fall. I grow herbs and botanicals in my garden dedicated to my soap and skincare products. The goat milk is fresh and comes directly from our dairy herd, hand milked twice a day. I keep everything small batch, even though it is more time consuming. As a maker, I don't want to get lost in the realm of "more, more, more", but to keep my focus on why I began this journey in the first place. To provide safe, gentle and clean "farm to tub" products made for everyone. As much love and care go into our products as our goats.
After 16 years of raising dairy goats and making soap, what are your hopes and plans for expanding your brand in the future?
In some respects, it does not feel like it has been 16 years of raising dairy goats and making soap, but yet it has. Time is a thief, as I am experiencing now with motherhood. It flies by in the blink of an eye. My hope and goal are to see our business continue to thrive and grow in ways that will bless and provide for our family. That I can continue to stay home to raise our child, give the goats and their care the time they deserve. Make products and attend our local Farmers Markets and vendor events. Eventually make it to other large events across the state of Montana for more exposure. A goal I have set for this coming year is to see my products in storefronts. Locally and in other towns. Right now, Hoglund's Western Wear in Great Falls, MT carries our soap, salves, beard oil and lotion bars and we are inquiring about placing displays in other shops in town as well. We also are open to out of state storefronts reaching out wholesale as well. In addition to our dairy goat herd, my husband and I started a commercial doe/kid meat goat operation raising Boer goats to diversify business. Our dream is to one day own our own property to expand our herds, open up an on-site farmstand and offer farm tours. To show others what we mean by stewarding the land and animals and why our products truly are farm to tub. It is not uncommon to hear me say, "forever herding goats and making soap." The goats and their care are a full-time job in itself, as is making soap and other products between balancing home life and being a farm wife. It is a great joy though, and we would not trade this lifestyle for anything. This business venture truly has been a blessing and has taught me so much over the years. It motivates me to keep going strong and to continue to pave a legacy for my family.
Farmgirl Creations delivers a beautifully natural skincare experience that’s gentle, moisturizing, and ideal for anyone with sensitive or dry skin. Their goat milk soap stands out for its gentle cleansing that doesn’t strip natural oils, leaving the skin soft enough that many people skip lotion afterward. The bars last a long time, lather well, and offer a clean, nourishing finish.
The soaps are especially great for eczema‑prone or sensitive skin, thanks to the lactic acid in goat milk, which provides mild exfoliation and anti‑inflammatory benefits. The unscented version is perfect for those who prefer fragrance‑free cleansing.
Farmgirl Creations also infuses their soaps with pure beeswax, adding an extra layer of moisture and protection without heaviness. Their scented varieties are just as impressive:
Tea Tree Mint delivers a refreshing, cooling blend that feels revitalizing.
Blackberry Sage offers a sweet yet calming aroma, both scents smell amazing.
Their whipped tallow balm is deeply moisturizing but surprisingly lightweight. It’s fragrance‑free, absorbs quickly, and works beautifully on both the face and body, especially for sensitive skin.
The Lavender Oatmeal Sugar Scrub combines calming lavender with soothing colloidal oatmeal. It leaves your skin feeling incredibly soft and nourished.
The Everyday Face Serum is another lightweight favorite, hydrating, gentle, and great for under‑eye use without feeling greasy.
Their natural chapstick is moisturizing without being overly glossy, and safe for all ages. The scent is lovely and subtle.
The Calendula & Rosehip Face Cream is a standout for sensitive skin. It’s lightweight, non‑greasy, and easy to apply without any mess. Calendula and rosehip offer soothing and brightening benefits, making it a great everyday moisturizer.
Overall, Farmgirl Creations offers a thoughtful mix of scented and unscented options, all crafted with natural ingredients that work beautifully for sensitive skin. Every product feels intentional, gentle, and beneficial, a wonderful choice for anyone seeking clean, skin‑friendly essentials.
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