Farm Fresh Raw Goat Milk
                     Standing Stone Nubians 
                        Goat Board Program


UPDATE 04/14:  Milk Shares are now available.

There is really nothing quite like the sweet fresh taste of raw goat’s milk. Long known for its health benefits, the milk produced by Standing Stone Nubians is as good tasting, as it is good for you.
 
It costs a one time charge of $50.00 to buy a milk share. That share is good until you no longer want to own it. Then you can sell it back to the farm.

One share entitles you to a gallon of milk a week (you pay a monthly board for your milk).

Every month you pay $40.00 to board - feed, water, vet care, bed and care for - your share of the goat herd.  This works out to approximately $8.75 per gallon. You are welcome to come milk the goats anytime. You are welcome to develop a relationship with any or all of the goats in the Standing Stone Nubian herd. Read on to find out more, and then, if you have any other questions - just visit or call or e-mail.
 
Frequently Asked Questions
 
1. Why raw Goat’s milk?
The proteins in goat’s milk are different from cow’s milk protein, making them easier for humans to digest. Goat’s milk is also naturally homogenized. The cream stays suspended in the milk. Raw milk contains many natural enzymes that are destroyed in the pasteurization process that commercial milk undergoes. There are many reasons for wanting to drink raw goat’s milk. The best may be that it tastes good!
 
2. Are goat shares legal?
 Yes, they are. It is not legal in Tennessee to sell raw (unpasteurized) milk to the public. However, Tennessee law allows “The owner of a cow, goat, cow shares or goat shares shall receive raw milk directly from the farm or dairy where the cow, goat or dairy herd is located...” You can read more about Goat Board Share programs in Tennesse at http://www.tennesseansforrawmilk.com/legaldocuments.htm+ You may use as much raw milk as you wish from “your own” goat. Since you own a share in the Standing Stone Nubian dairy goat herd, you may legally use the milk from your share of the goats in any way you see fit. In following the law, you must purchase a share of the dairy goat herd at Standing Stone Nubians and then pay a monthly boarding fee for your goat share. You will be asked to sign a contract for your goat share at the time of its purchase. You will receive a Bill of Sale for your share and a copy of the written boarding agreement for your goat.
 
3. How is the goat share with Standing Stone Nubians set up?
You make a one-time payment of $50 to buy a share in Standing Stone Nubians herd of dairy goats. From that point on you actually own a share of the goat herd. In addition, you pay a $40 boarding fee each month for the feeding and care of your goat. Your share entitles you to one gallon of milk each week. If you need more milk than that, you can purchase more shares, if more are available. If you decide you no longer wish to own a share in a Standing Stone Nubians dairy goat, you may sell your share back to the farm for the price of $5, but you may not sell your shares to a third party. If you know someone who is interested in having their own goat’s milk, please have them give us a call.

4. How are the goats milked and the milk handled at Standing Stone Nubians?
The goats are milked on milk stands that are situated away from the barn. We generally milk two times a day at 8:30 am and 5:00 pm. The milk is immediately cooled to 38 degrees; once it has reached that temperature it is strained with a milk filter into a stainless steel storage pail. Later, it is strained again into clean glass jars and stored in the refrigerator.

5. How should I handle my milk after I pick it up?
 The milk supplied will be raw - that is, it is not heat-treated or pasteurized. It will be chilled; and you should take care that it remains so until you can get it home and into your refrigerator. If you have some distance to drive or stops to make before you arrive home, it is very important to keep the milk at refrigerator temperature until you return home. When you come to pick up your milk, please bring a jar or jars with your name on the lid(s) for the following week's milk. We prefer to use wide mouth quart or ½ gallon mason jars with reusable plastic lids. It is essential that both jar and lid is scrupulously clean and thoroughly dry. Whenever cleaning containers for milk, start by rinsing away the old milk with water that is lukewarm. (Either hot or cold water can cause a deposit of milk solids to remain on the surface of the container.) Then wash thoroughly with soap and hot water, rinse well, and dry completely before putting on the lid. Dishwashers are fine for cleaning milk jars.  ***You may purchase both the glass jars and reusable plastic lids from the farm***
 
6. How long will raw milk keep?
If you handle as above, the milk will easily keep a week with no change at all in quality. Indeed, we have kept raw milk in the refrigerator for as long as fifteen days and it was still sweet and good. It is very good practice to date your milk as soon as it is received.

7. What should I do if the milk smells bad after only a couple of days?
Discard it. Please let us know right away, and we will investigate and replace it. If no one else had a problem - or if you find that only one of your jars was bad, while the others were okay - there was likely a problem with the sanitation of that particular jar.

8. What should I do with milk that is more than a week old?
As long as the milk still smells and tastes sweet and good to you, it is fine to use it. However, you will be getting milk each week. Therefore, if you find you are consistently having extra milk, try making some milk products, like yogurt, cheese, or soap from it. Some pets will enjoy and benefit from any leftover milk.
 
9. Why does a layer of cream form on top of the milk?
Goat’s milk is naturally homogenized, meaning the fat is suspended in the milk. However, our milk is high in butterfat and some of the cream will rise to the top of the milk. You can skim this off if you want to use the cream. For drinking or cooking with the whole milk, you can shake the container well before pouring, so that the cream is again dispersed into the milk.
 
10. Are there other ways to use raw milk?
As mentioned above, you should keep your milk refrigerated for normal beverage and cooking use. However, if you wish to experiment with the many forms of cultured milk and farm cheeses, it is easy to do so with raw milk. We will soon be offering cheesemaking and kefir making seminars and parties at the farm, or there are places online where you can learn how to make your own cheese from your own milk.

11. Can the milk be frozen?
Yes, but the butterfat from raw milk will separate out as flakes and will not blend in again when thawed. This will lead to a strange texture. It is still healthy and fine to drink, however it may not be as palatable to some people’s taste. It may be used for cooking purposes, and is fine for making cheeses and soap. We are happy to freeze milk for people who would like to pick up or have their milk delivered that way. We freeze milk in Ziploc-style freezer bags that fit nicely in a cooler or your freezer at home.

12. Can the milk be pasteurized on the stovetop?
You can pasteurize your own milk if you wish. The milk can be heated to 145 degrees and held at that temperature for 30 minutes. Alternatively, the milk can be heated to a higher temperature but for a shorter length of time. However, there are many advantages to using milk raw, both nutritionally and in terms of its versatility. Given the care that Standing Stone Nubains takes for the health of its goats and the hygiene of its milk, we feel you can be confident in using this high quality milk just as it comes from the goat.

13. Are the goats tested for disease?
Yes, we test annually for CAE (caprine arthritis), Brucellosis, TB and Johnnes disease. Our herd is completely negative for any presence of the above mentioned diseases. We do vaccinate for overeating disease and tetanus. Any goat that has been treated with an antibiotic is removed from the milking herd for an appropriate withdawal period.

14. What do the goats eat?
The most important part of their diet is the alfalfa which we feed 24/7. High quality forage produces the very best milk. In addition, all milkers are fed an 18% protein dairy ration feed twice a day. They also receive mineral supplements freely.

15. Will the births of kids impact milk supply available to goat shareowners?
Yes, they might. During the goat's pregnancy, she is allowed to be "dry" (not providing milk) because she is putting so much of her body's resources into growing the kid. Also, after the birth, the kids will be nursing it’s mother until they are weaned. During the kidding season, there may well be times when we cannot supply you with milk in the normal amounts or on the usual schedule. We will offer to make up any shortage in your milk with frozen milk, goat’s milk soap, or additional milk later. At Standing Stone Nubians we try to stagger the breeding season, so that there are always a few goats milking and hopefully any impact on supply for your goat shares will be minimized.

16. As a goat share owner, will I have a share in the kids?
No, the ownership of all kids will remain with Standing Stone Nubians.

17. What if I have more questions?
If you need more information about the goat share program, or advice or guidance in using your milk, please call Paula Butler 615-461-8340 or e-mail Paulabutler@standingstonenubians.com