About Milky Way Mountain Caprines
Our philosophy on raw milk
Our primary focus at Milky Way Mountain Caprines is to provide a supply of the freshest sweetest healthiest goat milk possible, while facilitating a relationship between the community and one of its most sustainable food sources. We practice permaculture and humane treatment of our animals, providing them with spacious pastureland, local Alfalfa, local sprouted grains, and a lifestyle tempered by the most respect and care from their human caretakers. We have livestock guardian llamas and Colorado Mountain Dogs to assist us in our duties.
We allow the public an opportunity to own a portion of our herd, and thereby gain access to raw milk.
What is the cost?
Herd share membership: $15 lifetime cooperative membership. Once you pay this fee & the contract and bill of sale for the share, you own a goat share and become part of our cooperative.
Boarding fees: you pay a boarding fee to board your portion of a goat, and for Milky Way Mountain caprines to provide milking service for you. The boarding fee is based on how much milk you are getting each month (which varies, as there are varying numbers of days in each month)
* 1 gallon per week $64/month
* Half gallon per week $32/month
* 1 quart per week $16/month
Bottle fee: there is a $5 bottle fee per bottle. We ask that you bring your sanitized vessel back each time you pick up your share, and we will provide you instructions on how to properly do so. Your clean bottle will be filled with fresh milk and exchanged the next week.
Payment is accepted through cash, check made out to Shangrilah Colorado, or PayPal (milkywaymountain@gmail.com)
Sustainability membership
giving $20, $35, or $50 allows us to maintain and expand our operation as costs go up, offers our caretakers a living wage, and contributes to our ability to continue to provide you and your community with high-quality a goat milk and food security. Please choose the level that is comfortable for you.
Where do I pick up my milk?
At the Shangrilah Colorado wood stove showroom, at 259 South Cottonwood Street in Crestone. Members have their milk prepared and labeled for them on their day of pickup in the designated refrigerator. Please return your empty jars properly sanitized and make a notation on your index card in the file box.
Please call ahead to arrange tours or visits with children to the farm
As much as we love dogs, please do not bring yours to the farm when you visit, thank you.
For more information please contact Heather D’Alessio at MilkyWayMountain@gmail.com
Cell number 719-496-6814
Shangrilah Colorado
Office number 719-256-4768
And visit out Facebook group Milky Way Mountain Caprines
Please write, call, email, or Facebook with any questions or to request more information.
Heather D’Alessio
PO Box 63, Crestone CO 81131
719-256-4768
MilkyWayMountain@gmail.com
Facebook page: “Crestone Life & Land Liberation”
Resources for advice on raising goats:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TotallyNaturalGoats/
One of my favorite farms I would like to emulate:
Some other local goat farmers:
http://www.jumpingoodgoats.com/
FAQ and Goat Share Purchase
What is a goat share?
It is partial ownership of a dairy goat. Owning a dairy goat, or portion of a dairy goat, allows you to benefit from what that animal produces. In Colorado you can drink milk from a goat that you own. By owning a share in a goat, you have a fresh supply of your own goats’ milk to drink and you are allotted a weekly share of fresh, raw (unpasteurized) milk ready for pickup at a designated time.
How does a goat share work?
You, and others along with you, own shares in a goat. You benefit from owning the goat by receiving a portion of the milk the goat produces. As with any animal, goats require care, i.e., feeding, general maintenance and milking. Milky Way Mountain Caprines will board your goat, care for it, milk it, and prepare the milk for you to pickup from the farm. You pay the herdsman for the boarding, care, feeding, and milking of your goat.
How much milk can I expect from one goat share?
One share will provide approximately one half gallon of milk for about 33 weeks. Half shares provide approximately a quart for about 33 weeks.
The average lactation for our goats is around 6-8 months (March to November). However, a goat may milk for a shorter or longer period of time. We plan to milk our does for at least eight months. This is rough estimate which may vary.
What if I want more milk than one gallon per week?
Purchase a second, third, or fourth share. You can purchase as many goat shares as needed as long as shares are available.
How much does it cost?
First You Purchase A Share:
$32 for a FULL share
$16 for a HALF share
Boarding/Maintenance Fee: Now that you own a goat share you need to board your goat. Boarding or husbandry costs are $8.00 per week for each full share. The monthly boarding fee is calculated by multiplying the number of shares by the number of weeks in that month. For example, if you purchase a full milk share and your pickup day is Saturday and there are 4 Saturdays in that month, then your boarding fee for that month would be $8 x 4 = $32. (Prices are subject to change, given changes in the price of feed, hay, supplies, labor, etc.) Half shares are $4 per week.
Farm share members are requested to return the milk vessels (Ball canning jars) each week rinsed in cold water. The Farm will clean and properly sterilize them – you need not do so. If your vessel breaks or is lost, a replacement will be provided for a fee of $1.00.
What do I get for my share?
This entitles you to approximately one half gallon of milk per week; however, since production fluctuates this amount may change slightly throughout the season. Remember, you are purchasing a share of ownership of a particular animal and the amount of milk that animal produces can vary. Half shares will entitle you to approximately a quart per week.
What happens if I go on vacation or business travel and don’t pick up milk? Am I still responsible for the boarding fee?
The monthly boarding fee is due whether you pick up your milk, or not, on any given week during the month. I still have to feed, milk, and care for your goat whether you pick up or not. Milk that is not picked up within 24 hours of your designated pick up day will be discarded.
How do I pay my boarding fee?
To avoid any confusion that you are “buying” raw milk the boarding fee should not be paid at time of milk pick-up. Boarding fees must be paid on the first of each month.
What happens if I can no longer use the goat milk?
If you move, buy your own goat or find yourself no longer using goat milk, you may sell your share to the next person on our waiting list, if that opportunity becomes available. Or you may sell your share back to Milky Way Mountain Caprines for $5. You may not sell your shares to a third party. Please note: it is illegal to sell milk in Colorado if you are not a licensed and inspected dairy. Never sell your excess milk.
As a goat share owner, will I have a share in the kids?
No, the ownership of all kids will remain with Milky Way Mountain Caprines.
Want more info? Click here to download: About MMC Milk Shares and FAQ
I’m Ready! How do I get Started?
Thoroughly review the information provided about Goat Shares on this page. Request and review the purchase and boarding contract when you come to the farm. Sign the contract and once payment is received you will be the proud owner of a dairy goat share.
OR:
Contact us to reserve your share.
Download and fill out:
Mail the Contract and Payment to us:
Milky Way Mountain Caprines – PO Box 63, Crestone CO 81131