🥛 GOAT MILK HERDSHARE

WHY OUR GOAT MILK HERDSHARE

When you join our herdshare, you're not just buying milk—you're becoming part of a slower, more intentional way of living. Our Nigerian Dwarf goats are raised with care on pasture, milked by us every day, and loved like family. In return, they give us rich, creamy milk that’s perfect for drinking, cheese-making, or swirling into your morning coffee.

Because raw milk can't be sold in stores in Ohio, herdshares offer a legal and personal way to enjoy it. By purchasing a share in one of our goats, you’re entitled to a weekly portion of her milk, along with the satisfaction of knowing exactly where your food comes from.

We offer full, half, and double shares to fit your needs, and pickup is available three times a week—including at the Hillsboro Farmers Market. Whether you’re here for the taste, the nutrition, or the connection to your food, we’d love to welcome you into our herd.

WHAT IS A HERDSHARE?

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 917.04, the sale of raw (unpasteurized) milk directly to consumers is prohibited. However, Ohio law does allow individuals to consume raw milk from animals they own. That’s where herdshare agreements come in. By joining the Highland Oak Farm Herdshare Program, you’re purchasing an ownership interest in our goats. Through this contract, you board your portion of the herd with us—we care for the animals, handle the milking, and provide you with your share of fresh, raw goat milk each week.

This arrangement is a legal and personal way to access raw milk in Ohio.

If you'd like to learn if being part of a herdshare is the right choice for you, check out our "Is Herdshare Right For You?" guide!

WHY IS THIS SUCH A BIG DEAL?

Raw milk distribution in Ohio is legal and regulated by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. “Raw milk” is milk that has not been pasteurized (heated to a certain temperature for a certain amount of time for sterilization). Pasteurization kills any harmful bacteria—but it also denatures milk proteins, enzymes, and naturally occurring probiotics (healthy bacteria).

Pasteurization became law in the 1920s under the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, when dairy farms began to expand and sanitation practices declined. But Highland Oak Farm is not a factory farm. We are a small farm, milking only a few goats at a time. Keeping our herd small allows us to keep our milk clean, our animals healthy, and our food safety standards high.

WHAT IS THE COST TO OWN AND BOARD A GOAT?

HERDSHARE MEMBERSHIP
To join our herdshare, there is a membership fee every 6 months. This fee grants you a share in our herd and entitles you to a weekly portion of raw goat milk based on the size of your share:

• Double Share – $100 (1/12th Ownership)
  Approx. 2 gallons of milk per week
• One Share – $50 (1/24th Ownership)
  Approx. 1 gallon of milk per week
• Half Share – $25 (1/48th Ownership)
  Approx. ½ gallon of milk per week

Since you are purchasing a Shareholder interest in the herd—not a guaranteed quantity of milk—these are estimates. Actual milk amounts may vary based on seasonal production.

WANT TO TRY BEFORE YOU COMMIT?

Curious about our herdshare but not quite ready for a 6-month commitment? 

We offer a Trial Herdshare just for first-timers!

For just $10, you’ll purchase a temporary, one-month share in our herd and receive:

• 1/2 gallon of goat milk per week (4 weeks total)
• A limited 1/48th herd ownership share
  

• All the same milk pickup options as regular members

This is a low-risk way to experience the rhythm of herdshare life and decide if it's the right fit for you. 

Trial Boarding Fee: $20
(Paid separately; covers care, milking, and handling of your share for one month.)

At the end of your trial, you’ll have the option to continue as a full or half share member. If you’re not ready, no pressure—we’re glad you gave it a try! 

🔁 Please note: Trial herdshares are limited to one per household. Repeat trials are not available.

MILK PACKAGING
There is a one-time fee to purchase glass jars, based on the share you select and the amount of milk you'll receive. You will be directed to purchase jars after signing and finalizing your herdshare agreement.

BOARDING FEES (Monthly Subscription)
Because the sale of raw milk is prohibited in Ohio, we do not sell milk. Instead, Shareholders pay a monthly boarding fee to board their portion of the herd with us. This fee covers the daily care, feeding, housing, and milking of your goat share. In exchange, you receive your weekly raw milk.

Monthly rates are based on share size:

• $160/month ($40/week) — Double Share (approx. 2 gallons/week)
• $80/month ($20/week)— One Share (approx. 1 gallon/week)
• $40/month ($10/week) — Half Share (approx. ½ gallon/week)
  
• $15 — 8 oz fresh goat cheese (optional add-on, as available)

📌 The boarding fee is in addition to the Herdshare Membership Fee. It is a separate recurring charge, paid monthly during your 6-month membership. It must be kept current to continue milk pickup.
📦 To add your boarding subscription, click here.

THE LOGISTICS

WHERE DO I PICK UP MY MILK?

Highland Oak Farm
10872 Horseshoe Rd., Lynchburg, OH 45242

• Tuesdays, 11 AM–6:30 PM
• Thursdays, 11 AM–6:30 PM

Hillsboro Farmers Market
Trimble Place, Hillsboro, OH 45133

• Saturdays, 9 AM–1 PM

(Note: After Daylight Savings ends in November, our weekday pickup hours shorten to 11 AM–4:45 PM due to reduced evening light.)

Please return your clean bottle(s) and lid(s) to the designated bottle return bin next to the pickup cooler. To ensure all members receive fresh milk in sanitized containers, bottles must be returned at every pickup.

CANCELLATION / CHANGE POLICY

Because supply is limited and demand is high, all boarding fees and milk reservations are final once paid. No refunds or changes can be made after payment.

If you miss your designated pickup day, your milk will be held until the following pickup day. If not claimed by then, it will be donated—used for livestock or turned into raw milk cheese.

We are unable to accommodate pickups outside our scheduled pickup windows.

FINAL DETAILS

🐐 This share includes 6 months of herd ownership and weekly raw milk pickup. Boarding fees billed separately. After purchase, you’ll be directed to complete your herdshare agreement.

⚠️ Please Note: This purchase does not include milk. Per Ohio law, we do not sell raw milk. Your boarding fee (billed separately) covers the care and milking of your share of the herd.

📝 After checkout, your herdshare contract agreement will be sent to you via email. This must be completed before milk pickup can begin.

Thank you, and we look forward to working with you!
— Highland Oak Farm