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 and grass grown here on the farm, local sprouted grains, and a lifestyle tempered by the utmost 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 to 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 many shares you have purchased.
One Share rewards you a half gallon a week of milk for approximately 7 months (May through November), or more.
You may buy as many shares as are available.
* 1 share = $32/month
* 1/2 share = $16/month
We ask that you bring your own 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 each week. If necessary, we can provide you a bottle: there is a $5 bottle fee per bottle.
Payment is requested on the first of each month in advance for the monthly share.
Sustainability Membership
Guarantee your supply of milk, eggs, and other items from the farm each spring in advance. Investing with the farm 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 food security. Please choose the level that is comfortable for you.
Where do I Pick Up My Milk?
At the Shangrilah Colorado Showroom, at 259 South Cottonwood Street in Crestone. We will meet you there from 1pm to 3pm each Thursday during the season.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Contact us to reserve your share.
Download and fill out: the 2021 Herd Share Contract
Mail the Contract and Payment to us: Shangrilah Colorado, PO Box 63, Crestone CO 81131
