Pauline Broe started the Vermont Reindeer Farm with her husband John 16 years ago. She says neither of them knew a thing about raising reindeer but, as a dairy farmer, she felt up to the task.

HORONOBE, Hokkaido--About 50 reindeer at a ranch here would normally be as busy as their brethren at the North Pole getting holiday revelers ready for Christmas and Santa Claus. But at Horonobe ...