Goat Milk Herdshare
By buying into our herd, you become co-owner of our goats, entitling you to a portion of milk produced weekly
What is a Herdshare?
It’s just that.. we share our herd with you!
Our Herdshare follows the CSA model (Community Supported Agriculture) – it is a mutual commitment and partnership between farmer and consumer.
We as farmers bring the experience and labor needed to raise a farm product (dairy goats and their raw goat milk) and the financial support from our members allows our small farm to operate in an economically stable manner.
This allows Penner Mini Farms to remain small and our members to receive fresh, local foods that are produced by people they know and trust.
What this means for you
By buying into our dairy goat herd, you become co-owner of our goats (entitling you to a designated portion of milk produced each month).
To initiate your herdshare agreement, there is a small buy-in fee of $25.00 per share for each season. This is a non-refundable fee and will include a brand new, washed and santized 64 oz wide-mouth glass mason jar (per share) for you to hold your milk each week.
In addition to the one-time buy in fees, 2024 Herdshare members will also be responsible for paying a monthly boarding fee of $40.00 per share; each share entitles you to a percentage of milk from the herd, per week. Typically, one share evens out to about a half-gallon a week of delicious, creamy milk from our goat herd.
Your boarding fee helps to offset the cost and labor of caring for the herd each month.
Same day pickup for multiple shares is not guaranteed, but we will try to make it work for you if possible. Please reach out to us ASAP to arrange, otherwise, you are free to select separate days for multiple shares (EX: half gallon on Wednesdays and Saturdays), ensuring you have access to fresh raw milk every few days.
Each week, on your specified day(s), you will return your clean, empty jar and we will fill it with your fresh raw goat’s milk.
Note: If you do not bring your cleaned jar(s) back to be refilled on any given week, we can provide a disposable food grade beverage bag, or you may purchase a new 64oz wide-mouth glass mason jar for an additional $5.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pick up my milk?
First and foremost, you need jars or containers to take them home.
We will provide you with one brand new 64oz jar (per share) when you pay your origination fees. Therefore, you should have enough jars to swap out with us between your pickups, as long as you’ve finished your current supply and/or have transferred any leftovers to a smaller jar in order to have it ready for your fresh batch.
*Note: Your jars must be returned to us clean and dry – we do not clean them. You will always get your same jar back. In the event you forget your jar(s), we can use disposable food grade beverage bags or you may purchase a new jar to keep for $5.
Options for pick up:
- You can pick up directly on the farm (free!)
- We are happy to deliver up to 2 shares** worth (1 gallon) for $5 per delivery (upon agreement of day/time/location)
**If you require additional shares, additional delivery fees may apply
Will we have access to milk year round? What is your "season"?
Can I skip a week/month?
You can absolutely skip a week or month however keep in mind that your membership fees are still due in order to keep your share active.
Remember that you are not buying dairy products from us. You are co-owner to our herd and therefore incur the costs of the goats regardless of picking up your milk or not.
You may also arrange for someone else to pick up on your behalf if you are out of town or unavailable for a period of time.
Can we visit the farm?
Yes, of course!
We encourage all of our herdshare members to come out and visit the farm to meet the goats, as soon as they start. You co-own them after all!
We just ask that you make sure to schedule your time with us so that we can make sure we are available when you show up.
There will also be occasional “Herdshare Days” where we invite all members for a fun day at the farm.
What is your cancellation policy?
While some farms will require you to be a member for a certain period of time, your membership with us runs on a month-to-month basis during the months of June-October.
However, keep in mind that your herdshare buy-in fee is non-refundable, even upon cancellation.
** 2024 Herdshares are now closed **
If you’re interested in joining for 2025, please join the herdshare waitlist below.