Re: Re: Check List for starting a raw dairy? Ohio

[Guest guest]

Elena,

In Ohio, we have to sell herd shares, NOT milk.

Basically, you buy a portion of the herd. You get a bill of sale and can then sell your share to someone else . . . most times the farmer asks for first right of refusal, so if you no longer need milk, he buys your share back.

When you own part of the herd, you then pay 'room & board' for your animal, animals,or portion of an animal and the farmer returns 'dividends' to you . . . in the form of milk.

Since you technically own the cow/goat, or a portion thereof, you are legally entitled to drink the milk of your animal.

In Ohio, a herdshare typically costs between 60 and 100 bucks and entitles you to a portion of the production, typically one gallon of milk, or equivalents in butter or cheese per week. If you drop out, you get this money back. You also have to pay room & board or agistment in the amount of 25-50 bucks a month. You basically pay the farmer to manage & care for your portion of the herd.

Translating, the milk then costs $5.77 a gallon and UP. ($25/month * 12 months / 52 weeks) Plus, you have some cash tied up in ownership.

Plus, you have to go to the farm every week and pick up ~ or make arrangements with neighbors to trade travel times. If you do not pick up your share, you forfeit it.

Technically, you are not paying for milk, you are paying agistment.

In herdshares I have been involved in, some bottle it for you in plastic jugs, some bottle it in your jugs, and some you go to the bulk tank and bottle your own.

If you would like to contact me off list, I can help you find a herdshare near you. Near, being quite relative, as most farms are not exactly next door. People often form coops, so that you have to drive to the farm once every other month, but when you go, you get milk for many families.

Perhaps you can talk to your neighbors about creating a herdshare, so you can enjoy raw milk and they can enjoy the extra money.

As an owner of a herdshare, you are entitled to visit the farm and inspect the conditions and ask any questions. Generally, you do not get to vote on the feed or changes, except to buy or not buy.

Ohio has a few 100% grass fed dairies ~ and several mostly grass and I think that is growing.

Contact me off list and I will show you where to find some lists. <G>

Ellen

Ohio

Ellen.we have a Goat farm near here and they are not allowed to sell raw milk.. neither are the Amish or any other local farmer. So I would Say no.. I have been told by meny of them that they cannot sell it raw.. it has to be pasturised..otherwise thats all we would drink.Elena N/W Ohio

[Guest guest]

We were getting raw goat milk near Cinci FOR PETS on the label.. a few years ago..  that's my only clue      

 

Ellen.

we have a Goat farm near here and they are not allowed to sell raw milk.. neither are the Amish or any other local farmer. So I would Say no.. I have been told by meny of them that they cannot sell it raw.. it has to be pasturised..

otherwise thats all we would drink.

Elena

N/W Ohio