[Sviannouncements] local dairy herd share announcement

[ashley ironwood]

here's some info on a local dairy herd share - please be in touch with  
lisa at:
fastfields at earthlink.net

three cheers for progressive movements in the world of raw milk!

*********************************

Explanation of Community Dairy Herd Share Project

Purchasing a share in the dairy goat herd means you are a co-owner of  
the herd.
Therefore, a portion of the milk produced by the herd  belongs to you.
Once you become a shareholder in the herd, you will then help to  
maintain the herd
by providing a monthly husbandry fee. This enables me, as the herd  
owner , to provide quality
feed,hay, medical attention when necessary,housing,fencing,routine  
care,and of course
provide clean,quality milk.

Share Holder and Herd Owner Contract

It is agreed and understood by share holder that share holders  
interest in the
  herd is a limited interest, shared with others of co-ownership in  
the herd and
that the interest purchased does not convey or vest in share holder
  sole ownership of the herd or of any particular goat in the herd.
It is further agreed and understood that specific goats in the herd may
change over time as goats die or herd owner adds or deletes from the  
herd in
herd owners  sole and absolute discretion,however, herd owner shall  
not be
obligated to add to the herd or replace a goat that is sold or dies, but
may do so at herd owners  discretion. All herd management is at herd  
owners
discretion as well.

Share holder shall be entitled to receive on a weekly basis one gallon  
of milk or
a proportional share of the milk produced by the herd, provided share  
holder is
not delinquent in  monthly husbandry fee. The exact amount of milk
provided to share holder may increase or decrease due to normal
lactation curves and when does are dried off during last 2 months before
freshening.

Herd Shares and Husbandry fees are as follows:

One time herd share of $65.00
-- 60 day refundable opt out
-- after 60 days share holder may opt out at any time but fee will not  
be refunded.
--share holder may sell or transfer herd share to another buyer upon  
approval
of herd owner and new contract must be signed by herd owner
and new share holder. In this case the herd share fee will be waived,  
but
monthly fee will be due at signing of contract.

Monthly Husbandry Fees are as follows:
$40.00 due at date agreed on by share holder and herd owner.

Barter Option available in exchange for share purchase or fees or both
on an individual bases, terms to be agreed on by both parties and
signing of barter contract.

MILKING

Share holder shall provide eight (8)
new, clean, one (1) quart glass jars, each labeled with Share holders  
name,
to be filled with Share holders milk.

MILK PICKUP

Share holder shall be responsible for picking up the milk
at herd owners  home at a mutually agreed-upon time, and at the time  
of pickup,
for returning four (4) clean glass jars for the next milk pickup. Herd  
owner
shall not be responsible for the storage of milk for more than
twenty-four (24) hours after the scheduled pickup or for providing
containers for Share holders milk. It is essential that both jar and  
lid be
scrupulously clean and thoroughly dry. Whenever cleaning containers for
milk,start by rinsing away the old milk with water that is lukewarm.  
(Either
hot or cold water can cause a deposit of milk solids--"milkstone"--to  
remain
on the surface of the container.)Then wash thoroughly with soap and  
hot water,
  rinse well, and dry completely before putting on the lid.
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.

TERM -

The term of this Agreement shall be one (1) year from the
date hereof which shall automatically be renewed for successive one-year
terms unless written notice is given by Share holder or herd owner of  
intent to
terminate agreement.

FAQ

How long will raw milk keep?

If you handle as above, the milk will easily keep a week with no
change at all in quality. Indeed, we have kept raw milk in the
refrigerator for as long as fifteen days, and it was still sweet and  
good.
It is good practice to date your milk as soon as it is received.


How can I tell if raw milk is spoiled?

Most of us grew up with pasteurized milk; and thus are not familiar
with the pleasant sour or tangy tastes and smells that develop in
cultured dairy products. As you experiment with such cultured milk foods
you will come to appreciate those new smells and tastes. (More about
that below.) When milk is actually spoiled, however, it will smell quite
unpleasant. Discard the milk if it has developed an unpleasant smell.
What should I do if the milk smells bad after only a couple of days?
Discard it. Please let us know right away, and we will investigate. If
no one else had a problem--or if you find that only one of your jars
did, while the others were okay--there was likely a problem with the
sanitation of that particular jar. You should review your cleaning
procedures.

What should I do with milk that is more than a week old?

As long as the milk still smells and tastes sweet and good to you, it
is fine to use it. However, you will be getting milk each week. So, if
you find you are consistently having extra milk, try making
cheese,yogurt, fudge, kefir, etc.
And remember, your pets will enjoy and
benefit from any leftovers!

Can the milk be frozen?

Yes, but the butterfat from raw milk will separate out as flakes and
will not blend in again when thawed. It may be used for some cooking
purposes, however..

Will the births of the kid have an impact on milk supply available to
share owners?

Yes, they might; and you should keep this in mind as we approach the
kidding season. During the last two months of a goats 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 kid. Also, after the  
birth, the kid
will be nursing its mother until it is weaned. During the kidding
season, there may well be times when we cannot supply you with milk in
the normal amounts or on the usual schedule.
We will try to stagger breeding of does to minimize supply issues,
however, dairy goats are seasonal breeders and staggering can be  
difficult
in a small herd such as ours.We will do our best to
supply you then; and ask your understanding and cooperation.

Will I still pay monthly fees during dry periods and for how long?

Yes, as stated in the first paragraph of the contract, the monthly  
husbandry fee is
  for the care and upkeep of the herd.This includes the dry season  
when does are dried off
during the last 2 months of pregnancy and the first 2 weeks after  
freshening.This helps to  insure
  that the does and kids are strong and healthy at time of kidding and  
kids have the opportunity to "get
off to a good start".

Can Share holders visit the farm?

Yes, but due to our large family and hectic schedule, a courtesy call  
for an appointment would be appreciated.



please note my new email address

************************************
ashley "asha" ironwood
sequatchie valley institute
1233 cartwright loop
whitwell, tn  37397
423-949-5922
ashley at svionline.org
www.svionline.org

"some changes may look negative on the surface, but you will soon  
realize that space is being created in your life for something new to  
emerge.  there may be a period of insecurity and uncertainty.  what  
should i do?  as the ego is no longer running your life, the  
psychological need for external security, which is illusory anyway,  
lessens.  you're able to live with uncertainty - even enjoy it.  when  
you become comfortable with uncertainty, infinite possibilities open  
up in your life.  it means fear is no longer a dominant factor in what  
you do and no longer prevents you from taking action to initiate  
change.  the roman philosopher, tasitus, rightly observed that 'the  
desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.'   
if uncertainty is unacceptable to you, it turns into fear.  if it's  
perfectly acceptable, it turns into increased aliveness, alertness and  
creativity."
eckhart tolle - chapter 9 of "a new earth"



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