We start by charging an initial (one-time) fee of $40 per share to “buy in” to the herd. This fee pays for your ability to receive milk from “your” goat. One share provides your family with 1/2 gallon of milk per week. Two shares provide 1 whole gallon of milk. At around 10-12 months from the date your contract is signed, your contract will end. At that point, you will have the option to retain your share in the herd, or you will be refunded your share(s).
 
Twin Hills Farm Co. will always maintain majority ownership of all lactating animals as well as all decision making on animals’ diet, length of lactating cycle, veterinary care and when to breed goats for future lactating cycles. We anticipate that a cycle will be at least 9 months (maybe longer), but could be shorter depending on sickness and other issues beyond our control. There will be no refunds issued due to a shorter than expected lactation cycle.

Once you buy in to the herd, and have coordinated with Brenda or Roy you are able to pick up one half gallon of milk per week for every share you purchase. We charge a monthly per share fee to cover boarding expenses for the herd (which includes hay / feed costs, veterinary care, and labor associated with harvesting and bottling the milk). The monthly fee per share is $38. You pay this fee whether you need / want milk or not. Remember, you are not buying the milk, you are paying for your portion of the animals’ care, and this fee must be paid regardless of whether you pick up milk each week or not.

Let’s look at a couple of examples of how this all works:

Example 1: You buy in to the herd for 1 share. You pay $40 for your initial first year fee. This guarantees you 1/2 gallon per week. You then pay $38 monthly (due by the first day of each month you expect to pick up milk). If you only get 3 half gallons that month because you were out of town, didn’t need milk, etc. - you will still pay $38 for that month.

At the beginning of the next lactation cycle, you will have the option to keep your share in our herd, or to sell it back to us for the same amount you paid.

Example 2: You buy in to the herd for 2 shares. You pay $80 for your initial first year fee. This guarantees you 1 gallon per week. You then pay $76 monthly through the end of the lactation cycle.

At the beginning of the next lactation cycle, if you would like to get three half gallons per week your buy in fee this time would only be $40, because you already have 2 active shares. However, your monthly boarding and maintenance fee would now be $114.00, and would allow you to receive 1 1/2 gallons of milk per week.

In the event that your pickup day occurs 5 times in a given month, you will have the option to pick up milk on week 5, or you can skip that week. Your payment for maintenance and boarding would remain the same regardless.

*Shareholders will be expected to return jars and lids CLEANED each week they come to pick up their milk. If not cleaned, they will be charged a cleaning $5.00 fee, and if lost they will be charged a $10.00 fee to replace it.*

**We are seasonal breeders and do not over breed our does. Due to breeding schedules and/or unforeseen weather changes we cannot guarantee milk will be available year round. We do schedule our breedings so that we can aim to produce the same amount of milk on a weekly basis for 9-10 months; however, since we do dry off our does and let them rest for a couple months in between breeding there will still be some fluctuation in quantity of milk. We will do everything we can to notify you as soon as we see a change in your goat so that you can plan accordingly to nourish your household.**