Narrandera couple Shannon and Christine Rivero’s Ridgeview Sustainable Farming is fast blossoming into a local story of passion, perseverance and purpose.

Their farm has now blossomed into a thriving, sustainable enterprise that is capturing the attention of locals across the Riverina.

What started as a simple dream to live closer to the land has evolved into a working farm where goats, green pastures and a strong community spirit come together. Ridgeview’s story has been one of steady progress from the first fences and kidding pens to the sound of the morning milking routine that now echoes across the property.

“All my life, I’ve had an interest in farming, growing things, and living sustainably,” Shannon said. “Ridgeview has given me the chance to bring that dream to life — step by step, with every challenge and every new arrival.”

Over the past year, Ridgeview has celebrated many milestones. The arrival of the first Saanen goats marked the beginning of the dairy journey, followed by the excitement of new life with the birth of several healthy kids.

Although there were moments of heartbreak including the loss of one of the first bucklings Ridgeview’s spirit of resilience never faltered.

Now Ridgeview produces premium raw goat’s milk under strict hygiene and quality standards. While not yet approved for human consumption under NSW regulations, Shannon ensures that every step of the process from feeding to milking meets the highest standards of care.

“Our goats are family. We hand-feed, milk and care for them every day. You can taste the love and effort in every drop.”

The Ridgeview story is also one of innovation and resourcefulness. From building a two-station milking stand out of recycled materials to carefully formulating feed mixes for optimum milk quality, every project reflects a mix of hard work and ingenuity.

With plans to expand into dairy products like cheese, butter, and cream and eventually to supply fresh goat meat Ridgeview is laying the groundwork for a truly sustainable, small-scale farming model that showcases what dedication and community values can achieve in the Riverina.

Shannon said friends like Alastair Macdonald, Colin Whitman, Brenden Henry and Rod Russell were always happy to lend equipment throughout the farm’s establishment. Rocco Rombola, Carmine the Italian barber who has a life time experience in bringing up goats and Dan and Jillian Head (Value Life Farm) were always happy to help and advise in homesteading,” said Shannon.

Ridgeview took a big step forward when their very first goat gave birth.

“There’s something special about seeing new life arrive on the farm. After months of preparation, keeping a close eye on our does, and making sure everything was ready for kidding season, the moment finally came,” Shannon said.

“In the quiet of the yard, with plenty of fresh straw laid down, our doe delivered without trouble a strong, healthy baby boy who took his first breaths right here at Ridgeview.

“This birth felt like a milestone for Ridgeview. It’s not just the start of our goat dairy journey, but a sign that our herd is thriving. The new arrival brings with it a sense of hope and excitement for what’s ahead more kids, fresh milk, and all the plans we’ve been dreaming about slowly coming together.

“Here’s to new life, new beginnings, and many more kids to come,” Shannon said.