Five years ago, Crystal Black and Jacob Daigle left their full-time jobs to start a homestead on a seven-acre farm in Parrish, Alabama. Shifting their lives to start Sunset Hill Farm was the beginning of a dedicated journey focused solely on sustainability and the environment.

“We recycle everything we can,” said Crystal Black, homesteader and owner of Sunset Hill Farm. “For our garden and our animals, we use rainwater collection off our barns and outbuildings. Our first garden beds were all made from recycled materials. The hay we use to feed the goats that they drop and step on gets used for chicken bedding. Then it gets collected with their manure and put into a compost pile. That will eventually end up as food for our garden. We try to use everything to its full extent; this helps the environment, and it helps saving costs when homesteading.”  

With no experience in homesteading the couple started with a vegetable garden to grow their own food then added Silkie chickens to raise for eggs, and goats to help with overgrowth and weeds on the property. As Black and Daigle learned the ropes of homesteading, they continually saw new opportunities to reduce waste and downsize their environmental footprint including the decision to own miniature farm animals. 

“They create less methane and waste than full size animals. They aren't as hard on the land; they don't destroy all life in the pasture. If you look at a pasture that has too many animals, they eat it down faster than it grows, eventually killing everything off until only dirt is left. They require less space both outside and when housed inside,” said Black.

Miniature farm animals range from potbellied pigs, goats, horses and sheep to pint-sized Highland cows. They mature at one-half to one-third of the size of their standard breed counterparts making them an attractive choice for ownership and the environment. 

The existence of these miniature versions of popular farm animals is not new, however the motivation behind owning them to lessen the environmental impact is gaining momentum.

Jacob Daigle with Finn, a miniature cow on Sunset Hill Farm (Photo: Sunset Hill Farm)

Downsizing Environmental Footprints

Sunset Hill Farm is known for its Bantam breed of Silkie chickens. These tiny chickens average eight-to14-inches tall and weigh less than a pound. These were the first miniature animals on the farm that now produces enough eggs in the hatchery to be sold and shipped throughout the U.S.

As the couple added other animals to their farm, they recognized the advantages of staying small.

“We have Nigerian Dwarf goats, miniature dairy cows and a miniature pony. We wanted them to fit the land that we have,” said Black.

Besides their adorable stature and personalities, the miniature animals play a big role in the full sustainability cycle on the farm.

“The environmental impact goes beyond their physical impact on the land. They require so much less feed and water. That ends up being a huge percentage on a large scale,” said Black. “In order to raise them happy and healthy they need to be able to rotate pastures. By having a rotation, it helps keep the animals parasite free and it prevents overgrazing. It allows us to continue to improve the soil quality instead of causing harm to the land.” 

Crystal Black comforting baby miniature goats on her homestead. (Photo: Sunset Hill Farm)

When it comes to scale comparisons, on average five acres of land can accommodate two full-sized cows or 10 miniature cows according to the University of Colorado Boulder. The university has documented that when it comes to methane, one cow produces 10-times more greenhouse gas than one miniature cow.

The current USDA statistics show that there are more than 87-million head of full-sized cattle in the U.S. which represents plenty of opportunities to improve the nation’s carbon footprint according to Black.  

“I think that the more people educate themselves on the benefits of smaller breeds then they will see and appreciate the environmental impacts,” said Black. “We would love it if more people chose this route. The world needs it, we are almost past the tipping point with our climate. It would have a huge impact across the world.” Since 2020, the number of people homesteading has steadily increased according to data from Homesteaders of America, a grassroots organization that provides a community of resources for people establishing a self-sufficient lifestyle. Homesteading is especially popular among younger people desiring to live sustainably and who have concerns about food quality and rising prices. 

As more people consider homesteading as a way of life versus just a hobby Black believes that the popularity of owning miniature farm animals will continue to grow.

This miniature goat is one of the popular residents at Majestic Meadows Alpaca & Boutique Farm in Medina, Ohio. (Photo: Majestic Meadows Alpaca & Boutique Farm)

Miniature Animal Movement

While the environmental focus drives some people like Black and Daigle toward miniature animals, other owners are drawn to them because of the more manageable logistics of their care.

“There is much more of an interest now because of simply the care and the land required - that's a big thing,” said Jeff Farley, Owner of Majestic Meadows Alpaca & Boutique Farm in Medina, Ohio. “Cows eat a lot and a full-grown horse eats a lot so when you take down the size, it really takes down the volume of food that they eat and the land that's required for them. So, it's much more attainable for people.”

Farley has seen a growth in the interest in miniature animals since founding his farm in 1994. What started out as an alpaca farm with a boutique selling alpaca fleece products evolved into a space for other animals like Red kangaroos, Asian small claw otters, capybaras and tortoises. Eventually the Majestic Meadows farm branched out to the miniature farm animal market.

Mini micro cow Bell at Majestic Meadows Alpaca & Boutique Farm is only 36” tall. (Photo: Majestic Meadows Alpaca & Boutique Farm)

On the farm today, visitors can enjoy Spirit and Cookie, the miniature horses; miniature donkeys Kodiak, Diamond, Bella and Sunshine; miniature potbelly pigs Patrick, Petunia, Thelma and Louise; Nigerian Dwarf goats Stella and Maggie, and miniature highland cows Elsa, Anna and Juliet. There are even more miniature versions of the miniature animals like the mini micro cow named Belle that only stands at 36 inches tall.

Miniature animals not only eat less but they require less space which works well for smaller acreage property and they require less fencing to secure habitats. 

“A full-grown cow can well weigh over a thousand pounds,” said Farley. “A mini cow probably weighs about eight-or-nine-hundred pounds, then the mini micro cow that I have probably weighs about three-hundred-fifty-pounds so they're much, much easier to handle as far as their habitat goes.”

Farley considers the miniatures more personable and easier to handle especially for families with children.

Dana and Mike Janeczek with their miniature potbelly pigs Eddie, Izzie and Lucy enjoying life as part of the family. (Photo: Dana Janeczek)

Small Breeds & Big Personalities

Though many elements are logistically easier with miniature farm animals, they still require considerable care and education about their natural instincts and temperament.Dana Janeczek owns three miniature potbelly pigs. When her first miniature potbelly pig Fiona died, she wanted to own another one and ended up with three siblings. She says despite their smaller size it’s still a big commitment considering their lifespan is 18-25 years.“It’s like having perpetually curious and mischievous 4-year-old children,” said Janeczek.

The miniature versions still have the same behaviors as full-sized potbelly pigs. When they are not exercising their natural instincts to root up the yard, Eddie, Izzie and Lucy are just regular members of the Janeczek family. They love to snuggle with their owners to watch tv and squeeze into the bed at night. 

Janeczek says if owners are educated and know to expect the same animal behavior as full-sized versions, the miniatures are a joy to own. 

“Pigs are truly incredible animals. They have real emotions—they can even cry actual tears—and their personalities are so funny and unique. They’re also incredibly smart. You can teach them almost anything with enough patience and consistency,” said Janeczek. “While it started with Fiona, Eddie, Izzie, and Lucy have continued to bring so much joy and laughter into our lives, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Miniature donkeys at Majestic Meadows Alpaca & Boutique Farm in Medina, Ohio (Photo: Majestic Meadows Alpaca & Boutique Farm) 

Size Matters

When it comes to miniature animals, size matters in terms of being classified as such. 

“A miniature potbelly pig is defined as anything under 300 pounds, so “miniature” can mean something different than most people expect,” said Janeczek. “When it comes to potbelly pigs, it’s a bit of a gamble whether they’ll stay small or grow bigger.”

Other miniature animals have similar classification requirements. For example, a micro mini cow is a miniature cow that stands under 36 inches at the hip when fully mature. Standard miniature cows range from 36-42 inches and the average height of a mature full-size cow, depending on the breed, generally ranges between 48-53 inches at the hip.

Miniature donkeys are one of the most popular entry points for new miniature animal owners that are no more than 36 inches tall. Farley says that anyone considering a miniature animal for a pet must still be prepared for ownership.“You do need to know the proper hay that they need to have, how much grass they should have as far as pasture and they need to have their hooves taken care of. For example, you need a farrier so they can have their hooves trimmed once or twice a year. Their teeth may need to be floated, so you need to know these things if you do get these animals, so you know how to properly take care of them,” said Farley.

Miniature potbelly pigs Patrick and Petunia on the Majestic Meadows Alpaca & Boutique Farm. (Photo: Majestic Meadows Alpaca & Boutique Farm)

Researching the specific animals and talking to other breeders and owners is a good place to start to understand the behavior, care and needs they require. 

“Pigs don't naturally sweat so if it's hot out and you have them in a yard and you have a mud hole, they're going for that mud hole, but if you have a little kiddie pool, they're going to go for that kiddie pool. So, you’ve got to know all the tricks of the trade if you get some of this stuff.”

Farley says research is also important because it is easy for potential owners to get caught up in the novelty of the miniature animals and overlook things that they might not even know to consider. 

“No matter what you get, you also have to think about the breeding aspect of it.

For example, miniature potbelly pigs get pregnant and breed very easily,” said Farley.

Not doing the research ahead of time can leave owners, and their miniature animals unprepared to handle things like an unexpected litter of piglets. 

To ensure proper care and healthy animals Farley recommends reaching out to professional organizations dedicated to specific breeds to find reputable breeders and information resources.

Miniature goats in the pasture at Sunset Hill Farm. (Photo: Sunset Hill Farm)

Small Efforts Equal Big Impacts

While the path to miniature animal ownership is paved by different motivations, the reduced environmental impact is the same.  

Sunset Hill Farm is an example of sustainable existence, environmental stewardship and it is a testament to the positive impacts of miniature animal ownership. Black and Daigle hope to inspire more people to live the way they do, and for the reasons they do.

“Humans are creatures of habit that are averse to change making it hard to see the benefits beforehand. We also live in a society where the environment takes a back seat to profit as it has for so long. The younger generations seem to be more aware that this is a problem and that it cannot continue this way because it is not sustainable,” said Black.

The couple knows that their decision to homestead and raise miniature farm animals is making a difference in their own lives, but they also believe that by more people doing the same, the eventual greater environmental impact will be significant.

“We are just two people on one farm,” said Black. “But so are our neighbors and so are their friends and so on. As many small decisions and actions can make a difference, so can the culmination of many small farms and homesteads.”

As the sun sets on Sunset Hill Farm and the tiny animals head to their pens to rest, the couple also rests easy at night knowing that their decisions to scale down have a meaningful impact.