Questions about the purchase of a Herd Share.
1. Why do I need to purchase a share of a herd/cow to drink Raw Milk?
It is against the law to buy and sell Raw Milk. You are only allowed to drink milk from your own cow. The great benefit of owning your own cow is drinking the milk. Many people don’t have the land or don’t want the work of boarding their own cow. We offer to board cows for our customers. We take care of them, milk them, and put the milk in a refrigerator for owner/customer pick up. So when you drink the milk, it literally comes from your share of the herd/cow.
2. Do I have to pay for a whole cow?
No, we offer shares of our small herd of cows. This way one can buy one or more shares depending on the need of an individual or family. One share in the herd will result in one gallon of milk per week.
3. How much is a share in the herd?
Each share in the herd requires a one time fee of $50, paid at the signing of the contract.
4. What are the ongoing boarding fees?
The cost to board one share of the herd is $35 per month, paid at the beginning of each month
5. How do I transport the milk?
The milk is put into ½ gallon glass jars. When the customer has finished their milk they clean their jars and lids and bring them when they pick up the next weeks milk. There they pick up their new milk and leave the clean jars for the following weeks milk. We provide ½ gallon glass jars with easy-to clean lids at a cost of $4 per jar.
6. How are the jars cleaned?
The share holder is responsible to clean their own jars, they need to be cleaned out by hand, dish washing alone is not effective in removing all the residue from milk. If not cleaned well, there will be a smell and off taste when the new milk is put in.
7. How long will the milk last?
The share holder should transport the milk in a cooler and keep refrigerated at all times. This will ensure a good 7 – 10 days of fresh milk. Even after that time the milk will just begin to curdle and is great to make soft cheeses or sour cream.
8. How do I sign up?
The best way is to set up a time to come out to the farm, or to meet us at a location to finalize details, sign a contract, and set up your pick up day.
9. Do I have to come out to the farm each week to pick up my milk?
As a shareholder you are responsible to get you milk each week. We do try to put people together who are from the same location so that you can rotate pick up between other shareholders. I also currently go to Lynchburg three times a week for work and am able to bring milk up with me. We will work with you any way we can, but we just don’t have the time or manpower to guarantee deliveries.
10. Delivery Options?
We now deliver to Lynchburg and Roanoke. Delivery will be done in Recyclable plastic gallon jugs. (You can transfer the milk to glass after you get home.) or glass jars.
Lynchburg Fridays at “Fresh Air Natural Foods” Monthly delivery fee
Roanoke on Tuesdays at “Southern Homes Vacuum and Appliance”. Monthly delivery fee.
Please contact us if you have any more questions or to move forward
Our Father’s Farm
434-656-1188
Jack Fuhrmann Family
2664 Deer View Rd.
Gretna, VA 24557