We are excited to introduce a herd share program here at Towering Oaks Farm. Through this program we are able to give our customers access to clean, fresh, raw milk. In North Carolina, it is not legal to "sell" raw milk for human consumption. However, by purchasing a share of the herd, a customer becomes part owner of the animal(s) – in this case, our 2 beautiful (but ornery!) Jersey cows, Bossy and Flossy. As part owner of the cows, the customer is then allowed to have access to what these pretty girls produce – i.e., raw milk.
We are offering shares for $110 each. This is a one-time purchase, which will make you partial owner of the cows. After the initial purchase, you will pay a boarding fee of $12/week. This boarding fee covers the cost for us to feed, milk, and otherwise care for your portion of the cows. Then, because you are part owner of the cows and are helping cover the cost of their upkeep, you will receive the #1 benefit of owning a dairy cow – delicious, fresh milk! The $12/week covers the expense of one gallon of milk for that week. The milk is bottled in half gallon glass jars with leakproof plastic lids. You can pick up your milk directly from the farm (giving you a chance to meet the ladies who make the tasty stuff) or we will deliver it once/week to Durham or Greensboro ($10/month additional) or Burlington ($5/month additional). We test our milk regularly to make sure it is clean and safe for you and your family. Our milk is chilled as quickly as possible after milking to minimize bacterial growth; as soon as we are done milking, we bottle the milk in clean, sterilized jars and place it in an ice bath before moving it to the refrigerator to await pickup/delivery.
We love our animals and want the best for them. Bossy and Flossy have been tested by our veterinarian and found to be free of tuberculosis and brucellosis. We strive to keep our animals in good health by using good management practices, such as allowing unlimited access to adequate outdoor space. We do not keep our animals cooped up in a stuffy barn all day – they are allowed to have fresh air and sunshine and only have to come inside to be milked in a sanitary environment. They do have access to a well-ventilated barn if they choose, in case of inclement weather or if they would prefer shade during the summer. Since we are out with all our animals every day, we are also able to keep a close eye on their overall health.
If you would like to learn more about our herd share program, or if you would like to join, feel free to reach out to us. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have!
How long IS a cow's tongue?!