What isa cow share?
A cowshare is a share in your own herd of dairy cows. I divide the herd into shares (20 shares per cow). Your share of the weekly milk production is equal to your percentage ownership in the herd times the total weekly production of the herd. Shareholders receive, on average, about one gallon per week per share.
Why don’t you just sell milk
In Indiana, it is illegal to sell raw milk (that is unpasteurized,“fresh-from-the-cow” milk). It’s not, however, illegal to drink raw milk from a cow that you own. Most people don’t have the time and space to care for a cow. I solve that problem by caring for and milking your cow for you
What kind of a cow will I be buying?
The herd is made up of purebred Dutch Belted dairy cows. Currently, the herd consists off five cows—April, Dahlia, Louise, Lavender, and Lucy—and three heifers—Mae, June, and Edna.
Are these cows given hormones or antibiotics?
I never give the cows hormones (e.g. rBGH) to enhance growth or production. Only when a cow is ill do I give her antibiotics—never as a preventive measure. All antibiotics have a withdrawal time during which the cow’s milk cannot be consumed. In the rare event that one of the cows must be given antibiotics, milk delivery for the week may be affected.
What do you feed the cows?
The cows are pastured as long as there is adequate grass available—generally, March through October. In the winter the cows are fed hay grown on my farm. Their diets are supplemented with a modest amount of my own grain-based dairy ration and free choice mineral.
Where are the cows kept?
The cows will be boarded at Spring Creek Farm in Brookston. Shareholders pay me a monthly boarding fee. I’ll feed and care for the herd, milk them, and make milk availableto you. You’ll be asked to read and sign a boarding agreement with Spring Creek Farm when you purchase your cow share.
How do you collect and store the milk?
I milk once a day using a milking machine. The milk is collected in a closed-system milker bucket, and I placed in clean, half-gallon-sized glass jars. The date is written on the jars. The milk is then stored in a refrigerator where it awaits pick up.
How does the milk pick up work?
You can pick up milk directly from the farm at a mutually agreeable time. I recommend you transport your filled milk jars in a cooler or other secondary container. Spilled milk is very difficult to clean from your vehicle.
Do I re-use the glass jars?
Yes, I re-use the jars. After the milk in each jar is consumed, remove the label from the lid, and promptly rinse the jar and lid in warm water. Wash the jar and lid in the dishwasher with a mild dishwashing detergent, placing plastic lids on the top rack only. Allow jars to air dry. Return all jars from the previous week to the farm when picking up the current week’s milk. I’ll replace any jars you break or lose at cost.
Why does a layer of cream form on top of my milk?
Unlike milk purchased in the grocery store, this milk has not been homogenized. If you like whole milk, just shake the container prior to pouring. If you prefer skimmilk, skim the cream using a ladle, and save it for another use (e.g. coffee creamer,butter, whipped cream, ice cream).
Why is the milk a golden color?
Cows eating high quality hay or fresh pasture give milk with a high level of beta-carotene. The beta-carotene gives the cream a golden color.
Can the milk be pasteurized?
You can pasteurize your own milk if you wish. For example, the milk can be heated to 145ºF and held at that temperature for 30 minutes. Alternatively, 2-gallon automatic pasteurizers are available for purchase from catalogs.
For how long is my share good?
Your share is good until either you or Spring Creek Farm decides to no longer participate in the cow share program. You'll need to continue your participation for the term of your boarding contract (either 12 months, 6 months, or month-to-month). Early contract terminations are sometimes allowed (e.g. for full-time students returning home for the summer).
When does a cow produce milk?
A cow produces milk only after she's had a calf. Spring Creek Farm makes sure the cows freshen every year to ensure a constant supply of milk. The cow produces milk on a 305-day cycle, and then is "dried off" for 60 days prior to the birth of her calf. This means for 60 days of the year each cow will not be producing any milk. I try to stagger the cows’ dry periods such that there is always milk available; however, it is possible that milk delivery could be adversely affected from time to time.
If each cow has a calf every year, what happens to the calves?
Complete ownership of the calves will go to Spring Creek Farm as compensation for the added cost of breeding the cows and handling calving. Heifer calves often stay on the farm and join the herd.
What are the costs?
To purchase a share in the herd (one share is equivalent to one gallon of milk per week) you pay $50.00. This is a one-time cost. In addition, there is an initial charge of $13 per share to purchase new half-gallon glass jars and plastic lids. This will buy four jars and lids per share—two in your refrigerator with milk in them and two at the farm waiting to be filled. These go into the jar pool to be made available for everyone. In case of loss or breakage, jars will be replaced at cost. After the above one-time costs, there is a boarding fee payable to Spring Creek Farm. The boarding fee is based on the length of the boarding contract you sign:
$20 pershare per month for a 12-month contract
$25 per share per month for a 6-month contract
$30 per share per month for a month-to-month contract
The boarding fee continues for as long as you own your share.
Example cost for 1 share (12-month contract)
One-time fees:
Purchase of 1 share x $50/share = $50
Jar fee, 1 share x $13/share = $13
Monthly boarding fees:
1 share x $20/share = $20
Total to get started: $83 first month; $20 every month thereafter
What if I want to purchase 3 shares? My family drinks about 3 gallons of milk per week.
How much will this cost me?
Example cost for 3 shares (12-month contract)
One-time fees:
Purchase of 3 shares x $50/share = $150
Jar fee, 3 shares x $13/share = $39
Monthly boarding fees:
3 shares x $20/share = $60
Total to get started: $249 first month; $60 every month thereafter
How is the money collected?
The boarding fees are due the first of each month. You may pay as far in advance as you like.
How do I get started?
I recommend everyone first visit the farm. Request a boarding agreement. Read the boarding agreement, sign it, and mail a check for the one-time fees and the first month’s boarding fee. (I will prorate the first month’s fee.) As soon as I receive your signed agreement and check, you may begin receiving your milk.
How can I obtain more information?
Contact Erich at 765-807-8066, 765-414-5484, or by email using the form on the Contact page.
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Cow Share FAQ