Hidden Springs Farm

Hidden Springs Farm is a small family owned and operated farm owned by Matt & Jennifer Cantrell. The land, located in the heart of the Kansas prairie, was originally farmsteaded in 1929 by Jennifer’s great-grandfather, Jonas Ratzloff. Jonas gifted the land to his son, Eugene Ratzloff (Jennifer’s grandfather) and he and his wife Jean lived on the farm for many years, sharing it with family and frie

nds. Jennifer has many memories of spending summers here exploring, fishing and getting into mischief! Matt and Jennifer purchased the farm in the fall of 2000 and raised their two children, Jacey and Wesley, in the rural area near Canton, KS. Raising a family, working full time jobs and general maintenance left little time to work the land or invest in livestock or equipment. It wasn’t until both children left for school that Matt and Jennifer decided to focus more time, energy and resources to the land. Over the years, the fields had grown full with native grasses, trees and brush. The Cantrells wanted to start with something small that could help clear the brush and could be sold for a small profit. Goats were the obvious answer! In the summer of 2015, Matt purchased a small starter herd of Kiko does and one buck; another buck was added a few months later. Sound animal husbandry, ethical and moral practices and natural forage are key goals to the operation. The herd is allowed to graze rotationally on native grasses, scrub and saplings. High quality grain and hay is supplemented during gestation and winter months. All of the goats are well-cared for and have a high-quality life. Selected offspring will be sold as breeding stock or for replacement does. Kids that are not kept for replacement will be sold or raised as meat goats. All breeding stock will be registered with the American Kiko Goat Association or the National Kiko Registry.