Matthew (‘08 & ‘14) & Lori (‘10 & ‘18) McFall - Brax-Cal Ranch, LLC - Operating as Goats On The Go® East Alabama
By Brittney Kimber
Jax State alumni Matthew and Lori McFall operate one of only a handful of targeted grazing businesses in the Southeast and the only Goats On The Go® affiliate in Alabama. Family-owned and operated, Brax-Cal Ranch, LLC, is named after their children, Braxton and Callie.
“We were looking for a way to better manage the acreage on our ranch. We had several areas that were covered in thick brush and undergrowth and decided to get a few goats to help clear those areas out and make them more accessible for more in-depth clearing while maintaining a more natural look,” Matthew said. “After purchasing our first six goats, an opportunity came along to purchase a herd. We quickly realized we were going to have to look at other ways to utilize the goats to generate revenue and help offset some of the costs associated with owning goats.”
After researching ways to help manage vegetation issues on their property, the McFalls came across Goats On The Go® and quickly knew they wanted to be part of the national organization and provide an environmentally friendly service.
“Targeted grazing utilizing goats allows property owners to take back control of areas that are overgrown and difficult to maintain,” Matthew said. “Our process and the tools we utilize make it much easier to reclaim these areas. The goats will eat a variety of vegetation — kudzu, privet, poison oak/ivy, saplings, blackberry, and honeysuckle. They can also go on almost any terrain, so we are able to assist in areas where human and mechanical clearing services are not feasible.”
There are many pre-project conversations and evaluations, in-person or over the phone, to ensure the goats are the right solution for clients. The McFalls utilize GIS/mapping software to create initial estimates for project inquiries that help determine the size of the proposed project area, terrain, type and thickness of the vegetation, and existing infrastructure.
“After the site has been prepared, we deliver the goats and begin the project. We typically use 30 to 40 goats,” Matthew said. “We provide water, minerals, and other infrastructure needs while the goats are on site and conduct daily checks on the herd. The homeowner is our partner during the project, and they are our eyes and ears when we are not physically on the project site.”
The McFalls love to hear from clients after projects are completed, noting that the most consistent feedback they receive is how impressed clients are with the job and how much they enjoy watching the goats work.
Matthew said most projects take five to seven days to complete on 1.5 acres or less. Once complete, they remove the herd and then break down fencing and infrastructure that were installed pre-project.
In addition, the McFalls raise and sell goats throughout the year and will soon be offering items through their online store, The Wildflower.
“It will be a mix of boutique, mercantile, and similar,” Lori said. “Our daughter is a designer, so we hope to be able to feature some of her custom designs in the shop. We are excited to continue to expand.”
Lori said both she and Matthew received diverse educational and professional experiences during their time at Jax State, and the university equipped them with the knowledge and confidence needed to start and operate their business.
“We both started at Jax State in the fall of ‘98. I was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity, and Lori was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha and the Jax State FastBreakers dance team,” Matthew said. “We first met during our freshman year through mutual friends. We were pretty much inseparable after that and married a year later. We continued our educational and professional journeys over the next several years, while adding to our family.”
In addition to their time at the ranch, the McFalls have worked in the public and private sectors, as well as in higher education over the years, including time at Jax State.
“There are too many memories to list from our student and employee days,” Matthew said. “We are most appreciative of the educational and professional opportunities that Jax State provided, while allowing us to raise our family.”
To contact the McFalls about targeted grazing opportunities through Goats On The Go® East Alabama, email braxcalranch@gmail.com or call (256) 689-8805. Visit braxcalranch.com for more information.