Starting a dairy?

[Queen Mum]

There are a LOT of goat dairies in Washington State that will talk you through setup and other issues. I can get you the info, if you are interested. ALSO, access the cooperative extension services for various states for great info on organic farming and dairy. They are a bit over the top on some issues but states where raw milk is legal have TONS of info on their COOPerative extension websites!

 

[babsbag]

In the store you see Feta in little tubs, dry and crumbled. I store my feta in a brine so I wonder what they do, if anything, to make it keep well out of the brine?

I do all our feta in olive oil. Lasts forever and is oh so yummy! Sometimes we layer with basil, or rosemary, garlic, sundried tomatoes etc... yum!

http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/6210_storing-feta-cheese-in-olive-oil-in-mason-jars-5.jpg

I have done feta that way as well and everyone loves it, but just an FYI, you have to keep it in the fridge or run a serious risk of spoilage because of the garlic. I didn't believe that when I was first told, but after reading many cooperative extensions websites on the danger of garlic cloves in unprocessed products like the feta it made a believer out of me, and that is pretty hard to do at times. I am pretty hard headed.

 

[babsbag]

So I just talked to our state inspector for my county and it is pretty scarey. This might actually happen...if I don't chicken our first. The guy was very nice and for everything I asked, he was "oh yes, you can do that, I don't see why not". What in the world is going on? All my friends told me that this was impossible and now I am looking for plans to submit.

Yikes...I never in a millon years actually thought the state and county would be onboard with this.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

So I just talked to our state inspector for my county and it is pretty scarey. This might actually happen...if I don't chicken our first. The guy was very nice and for everything I asked, he was "oh yes, you can do that, I don't see why not". What in the world is going on? All my friends told me that this was impossible and now I am looking for plans to submit.

Yikes...I never in a millon years actually thought the state and county would be onboard with this.

Thats so awesome, I hope things continue to go smoothly for you! I wish I had the money to be ready to be submitting plans!

 

[babsbag]

I am submitting the plans before I have all the money. This may be partly a build as I go project, but if I can get it all approved I think I will have an easier time getting some financing if I need it.

 

[babsbag]

There are a LOT of goat dairies in Washington State that will talk you through setup and other issues. I can get you the info, if you are interested. ALSO, access the cooperative extension services for various states for great info on organic farming and dairy. They are a bit over the top on some issues but states where raw milk is legal have TONS of info on their COOPerative extension websites!

If you have some contacts in WA that would be awesome. Right now I am researching floor plans. I need it to be compact, and maybe a design I can add on to if needed.

 

[OneFineAcre]

If I missed it, I apologize.

But, what kind of goats are you going to raise on your dairy? What do you own now?

You should check out Spinning Spider Creamery. They have a website.

Mostly Saanens

They are in Asheville, NC. They are huge. We know them from showing. They were the Premier breeder at the NC State fair this year.

They milk 100 does per day. My wife follows them on Facebook and they are in California now with some of their goats for some kind of reality show. I'm serious check it out on their website.

Asheville, NC is about as close to N. California as you will find on the right coast.

It is a hippy town.

Another one you can check out is Buffalo Creek Creamery in Germantown, NC. They have Nubians and Nigerians. They must be doing pretty well. They have an ad on CL looking to buy goats.

 

[babsbag]

I am going to use Alpines and LaManchas, that is what I have now. I also have a Togg and not really fond of her milk but it might add some interest to aged cheeses when I get to that point. I have friends that own Nubians and Saanens so if I decide I want to add another breed or add a particular quality to my milk it won't be hard to do.

Thank you for the dairy names, I will check them out. I am only going to have one chance to get this floorplan right so I am looking for any and all plans and input on that. I am planning on milking not more than 15 does and trying to keep this a one person operation for now. I do have friends that will help and fill in when I need it.

 

[kstaven]

The most important thing in all of this is "Inspectors can be your best friend or worst enemy" If they are on your side life can be very easy for a dairy. Get on the wrong side and some will go out of their way to find a reason to make your life miserable.

There are grade A facilities that use vinegar and Hydrogen peroxide in their wash systems. Solves many issues surrounding waste water.

 

[doxiemoxie]

I am just one county down from you! I haven't done this because of the marketing side of the business. (and the stupid start-up costs from the state) I can happily help you out with the biochemistry side of things. The water discharge shouldn't be much of an issue unless there is a waterway (creek) within a couple hundred feet of your property. There are lots of places to get relatively inexpensive food packaging systems. And there is a goat cheese dairy in Willows- a little closer than Washington State in case you just wanted a day trip. Their operation is bigger but would give you some good ideas for where to start.