What is a herd share?

A herd share is a membership arrangement where members purchase a share in our dairy goat herd and help support the ongoing care of the animals. In return, members receive a portion of the milk produced by the herd during the milking season, based on their share agreement and seasonal availability.

Are you selling milk?

No. The Tart Farm herd share is not a retail milk sale. Members purchase a share in the herd and contribute a monthly upkeep fee toward the care of the goats. Milk is provided to members as a benefit of their herd ownership share.

How much milk does each share receive?

Each share currently provides approximately 1/2 gallon of fresh goat milk per week during the milking season.

Because milk production can vary, this amount is approximate rather than guaranteed. Production may change due to weather, breeding cycles, kidding season, herd health, and the natural rhythms of a small working dairy herd.

How much does membership cost?

Current membership includes a one-time share buy-in of $45 and a monthly boarding/care fee of $75 per share during the active milking season.

The monthly fee helps support feed, minerals, housing, veterinary care, supplies, sanitation, and the daily work involved in keeping a healthy dairy herd.

Is milk available year-round?

No. Our goats follow a natural seasonal cycle. There will be times when milk is not available, especially during the off-season, late pregnancy, kidding season, or when does are being dried off.

Sharing in the herd means sharing both the abundance and the realities of small-scale agriculture.

Is availability limited?

Yes. Availability is limited by the size of our herd and the amount of milk the goats produce. We are a small homestead-style farm, so we only offer a limited number of shares at a time.

How does pickup work?

Pickup is by appointment only. Members will receive pickup details after completing the herd share agreement.

Members are responsible for picking up their share at the scheduled time and keeping milk properly chilled after pickup.

Do members need to bring jars?

Jar procedures will be explained as part of the member agreement and pickup instructions. Clean handling, proper storage, and prompt refrigeration are important parts of maintaining milk quality.

Is the milk pasteurized?

No. Milk provided through the herd share is fresh, unpasteurized goat milk.

Members are encouraged to make informed choices about raw milk and to ask questions before joining. Anyone who is pregnant, elderly, immunocompromised, or providing milk to young children may wish to speak with a healthcare provider before consuming raw milk.

What safety procedures do you follow?

We use careful milking and handling procedures, including cleaning the goats before milking, sanitizing equipment and jars, filtering milk, and chilling milk promptly after milking.

Because we are a small homestead-style farm, our setup is simple and hands-on. However, we take cleanliness, animal care, and milk handling seriously.

Can members visit the farm?

Yes. One of the benefits of herd share membership is the chance to connect with the farm and the animals. Member visit days may be scheduled throughout the year, depending on weather, farm schedule, kidding season, and herd needs.

Visits are by appointment only.

Are any areas off-limits during visits?

Yes. The Tart Farm is also our home, and parts of the property are not open to visitors.

For safety and privacy, off-limit areas include the house, deck, personal areas, steep slopes, animal areas not included in the visit, equipment areas, and any spaces marked or described as off-limits.

Can children visit?

Children may visit during scheduled member visit days with adult supervision. The farm has animals, uneven ground, electric fencing, tools, and natural hazards, so children must stay with their adult at all times and follow farm safety rules.

Do I have to sign an agreement?

Yes. All members must review and sign a herd share agreement before receiving milk. The agreement explains membership terms, seasonal availability, pickup procedures, farm rules, and member responsibilities.

How do I join or ask about openings?

Because shares are limited, the best way to ask about current availability is to visit our Contact page.