Carol Fox’s life changed when she was was seven years old and watched a memorable scene in the 1937 film version of “Heidi.”

In it, actress Shirley Temple made her bed in a goat-strewn hayloft. Fox thought it was the coolest thing she’d ever seen. She told herself that one day she’d have goats hanging around the house, too.

She accomplished her childhood dream at the age of 70. In 2015, Fox retired from a career in nursing and bought a farm property outside Redmond. Soon she added some goats and her Heidi-inspired dream had come true.

“I really didn’t know how to do anything,” said Fox.

But she learned fast. She caught a few kernels of knowledge dropped by goat-raising neighbors, but mostly she was self-taught. She scoured books and listened to experts.

Her herd grew. Fox taught herself how to care for them, how to breed them and help them give birth, how to trim their hooves, how to milk them, how to make that milk into goat cheese. Everything it takes to live like Heidi.

But Fox is now 78 years old. And the hard work of caring for goats never ceases. She has already slimmed down her herd and is trying to find good futures for the rest of them. She thinks she may be goatless again in a few years — after kids are born in the spring and good homes are found for them and their parents.

“I love my goats, but I need help,” said Fox.

Enter Melissa Dugan, a hobby farmer. The two met through a new program called “Extend” by Terrebonne-based School of Ranch. The idea of the program is to connect knowledgable, senior community members with individuals eager to assist with tasks in exchange for learning a variety of skills directly from experienced experts.

“I get the help I need, and Melissa gets hands-on experience with goat care,” said Fox.

Dugan doesn’t quite have Fox’s lifelong drive to live with goats, but she’s considering adding them to her property outside Bend. She grew up on a Idaho ranch, so she’s used to farmwork and animal husbandry, but goats were a new species. She wanted to make sure they were a smart addition to the property— and she wanted to make sure she wasn’t getting in over her head.

“This has really let me see what exactly the process is, what I can do to prepare, what I can expect from the animals and their personalities,” said Dugan.

The two have worked together to feed and care for the animals, knocked out chores, planned breeding arrangements and are preparing to help the goats give birth in a few months.

“That will be the final exam,” laughed Dugan.

Mark Gross, who runs the School of Ranch, said connecting people with expertise to people who need it is at the heart of the organization.

“I’ve been trying to use School of Ranch to help fight social isolation, and this idea accomplishes that goal while keeping us on mission. It’s awesome to be in a position to enable this sort of thing,” he said.

It’s not just goats. Other “extend” partnerships will include food preservation, quilt making, woodworking and even light electrical skills.

“Extend isn’t just about lending a hand—it’s about expanding knowledge, traditions, and skills into the future,” said Gross. “This program celebrates the breadth of knowledge in our community and creates a network of mutual support.”

For seniors, the program offers an opportunity to teach, connect, and continue their passions with added help. For learners, it offers the a chance to work alongside community experts.

To participate as a senior or volunteer, or to learn more about School of Ranch Extend, visit schoolofranch.org/sor-extend or contact Gross at extend@schoolofranch.org.