Get into goats

Not only can goats serve as friendly pets, but also they can provide a source of income -- a possible lucrative alternative to cattle and sheep. You might actually be surprised at just how much you can do with goat's milk. It depends on the breed and age of the goat, but most produce an abundant amount of milk, which can be sold at your local farmers markets.

Dairy goat owner Liza Plaster puts her animals to good use on her North Carolina farm. She says before you buy your first animal, one of the most important parts of running a goat dairy is fencing. Choose the right fence, she says, "because you want to protect your neighbor's property from your goats. And you want to protect your goats from anything they shouldn't be eating. A good fence is about as good an investment as you can make." Goats love rocky areas and hills, so keep that in mind when deciding where to put your fencing.