Cow Share Program:
Welcome to The Shire
Farm Cow Share Program
Providing raw milk
services for your Cow Share
What is a Cow Share?
Also known as a
herd-share agreement. A cow-share/herd-share is an agreement entered
into by an individual, or group of individuals, whereby they purchase a share of a cow and its production and pay a
farmer a fee for boarding and milking the cow(s) that they together own.
After the cows are milked, the individual or group then obtains the
milk from the farmer.
One “Cow Share”
provides 1 gallon of raw milk per week (in two 1/2 gallon glass containers).
One "Half Cow
Share" provides 1/2 gallon of raw milk per week (in one 1/2 gallon glass container.)
The cost of a Cow
Share is a $25 six-month Share buy-in (non-refundable), plus $20 per
month fee for boarding, and a one-time charge of $8.00 for the glass
containers.
The cost of a Half
Cow Share is a $16 six-month Share buy-in (non-refundable), plus $10
per month fee for boarding, and a one-time charge of $4.00 for glass
containers.
Don't want to have to remember monthly payments?
You can also pay all 6 months costs up front--$153.00 for a Cow Share, $80 for a Half Cow Share for 6 months part ownership of a Jersey cow and access to her raw milk!
You make a one-time
payment of $25 to buy a share of the Shire Farm's Jersey cow for 6
months, and a one time payment of $8 for the use of 4 glass milk containers. In addition, you pay a $20 boarding fee each month for the
feeding and care of your cow. Your share entitles you to one gallon
of milk each week. You may buy as many shares as you would like. We
also offer half shares, which entitle you to a half gallon of milk
each week. For a Half Cow Share, upfront Share
buy-in is $16 for 6 months, a $4 container use fee, and monthly boarding costs are $10, half that of the Cow Share.
2. Are cowshares
legal?
Yes, they are. It is
not legal in this state to sell raw (unpasteurized) milk to the
public. However, you may use as much raw milk as you wish from your
own cow. Since you own a share in The Shire Farm's cow, you may
legally use the milk from your share in any way you see fit.
3. How should I
handle the milk that is supplied to me?
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 imperative that
you make provision with insulated containers and ice or chillers to
keep the milk at refrigerator temperature until you return home. Milk
should be kept in a refrigerator set at 35 degrees. It should not be
left out for long periods at meal times.
4. How do I get my
milk each week?
All cow shareholders
come to the farm to pick up their milk, a mutually agreed upon day
and time will be assigned. The owners bottles will be waiting in the
farm fridge until our scheduled pickup day. The owner will return
their jars weekly, cleaned and dried, and with the owners name
clearly marked on the jar, and pick up their filled jars. If milk is
not picked up by the next scheduled pickup, the Shire Farm is not
responsible. Cow Shareholders can have a friend or relative pick up
for them if need be at the prearranged time and day.
5. What is the milk
stored in?
Milk is stored in
glass 1/2 gallon mason jar bottles. Fresh milk taste better when
stored in glass, as well it retains a longer shelf life.
6. How long does raw
milk last?
If milk is kept in a
fridge set at 35 degrees, it should last for at least 7 - 10 days.
If milk is not maintaining its freshness, here are a couple of things
to consider:
~Be sure to monitor
your fridge temp to ensure milk is being kept at 35 degrees (and
don't keep milk in the door).
~Be sure to
transport milk in a cooler with ice after picking up from the drop
site.
~Be sure to not
leave milk out at mealtime for long periods.
7. Do I have to
find someone to take over my share if I move out of town?
You have no
long-term commitment to the farm. Your share is transferable through
gift or sale although you're not obligated to do either. Should you
decide to discontinue participation in the cow share program, please
let us know at least 14 days prior to the end of the month.
8. What happens to
my milk when I'm on vacation?
We encourage you to
let a friend or family member either enjoy your milk while you're
away or freeze it for you so you can drink it when you return. If
you'd rather we donate your milk to a family in need, just let us
know. Refunds are not given since the shareholder's cow still needs
to be boarded, milked, and cared for even when the owner is on
vacation and not receiving milk.
9. What do the cows
eat?
The most important
part of their diet is the pasture grass on which they graze all day
(and, in the winter, high quality hay). Premium forage produces the
very best milk. Note that the pastures here are not fertilized with
any chemical fertilizer. They also receive mineral supplement free
choice and available at all times. Our cows never receive antibiotics
or growth hormones in their feed.
10. How much milk do
the cows give?
Unlike the typical
dairy breeds, Jersey cows give a smaller amount of milk which is
higher in butterfat. Our cow gives about 3-4 gallons, per day. We
generally share the milk with the calf the first few months, and milk
once a day in the mornings, getting 2 gallons a day for ourselves and
cow shareholders in the first few months of the calf's life. After we
wean the calf we milk twice a day. We are responsible to them first;
the milk they share is a gift we don't take for granted. The fresh
milk is strained and transferred directly into cleaned jars with the
owners name and placed into our farm fridge inside. Please note that
milk production varies with the season, the weather, the quality of
the forage available; and the normal curve of the cow's lactation
cycle.
11. Will the milk
always taste the same each week?
A factor in the
taste of the milk is the type of grass or hay (in winter) that the
cows are eating. Various types of forage affect the taste of the
milk - sometimes making it sweeter, sometimes creamier, sometimes
off-tasting. Off tasting milk is not yummy to drink but still good
for you. Check these recipes for some ideas of what to do with milk
that isn't delicious for drinking.
12. Will the births
of the calves have an impact on milk supply available to cowshare
owners?
Yes, they might.
During the final 6-8 weeks of a cow's pregnancy, she should be
allowed to be "dry" (not being milked) because she is
putting so much of her body's resources into growing the calf. During
calving seasons, there may well be times when we cannot supply you
with milk in the normal amounts or on the usual schedule. We will do
our very best; and ask for your understanding and cooperation.
13. Do you have a
website you recommend for further research about the benefits of raw
milk?
www.raw-milk-facts.com
14. Do you offer
skim or fat free milk?
No, we don't. The
cream is an important fat for your body. It's fine to skim the cream
off the top of the milk and use it for other recipes, but be sure the
cream finds its way into your diet. We never recommend skimming the
cream and throwing it out.
15. Do you have any
suggestions for milk that is a couple of weeks old and has gone sour?
It's always good to
remember that unlike pasteurized milk, raw milk gets better for you
the older it gets. The probiotic properties in raw milk continue to
multiply as the milk ages. (i.e.: the increased health benefits of
yogurt) A wonderful educational cookbook for learning how to use
raw milk is Sally Fallon's "Nourishing Traditions."
16. What conditions
do the cows live in?
The Shire Farm
staff will take excellent care of your cow by providing all the fresh
pastured grass it wants, clear clean well water (same as we drink)
from multiple locations in the pastures and barns, fresh hay is
available unless there is fresh pasture grass. We do have sheltered
areas in the barn, a run in, and large shade trees scattered around
the pasture if they need to get out of the weather, on-call
veterinarians if needed anytime of the day or night, live-on farm
staff that monitors anything they need overnight and during the day.
Owners will be able to observe the living conditions of the cows
during their weekly visits to pick up their milk.
Interested?
-Email us at ShireFarmMI@gmail.com or call us at 989-533-8292 to see if any cow shares are available, and to discuss and find a pickup date/time that works for both parties.
-Then send a printed out, filled out contract (in the link below) and a check made out to Sara Figgins, $53 for Cow Shares and $30 for Half Cow Shares! That includes your one time payments for 6 months for Share buy-in, glass jars, and first month boarding fees!
-Send to contract and check to The Shire Farm, 3327 E. Boyer Road, Sheridan, MI 48884.
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