Raw Milk Herdshare
What is a Herdshare?
When you join our herdshare, you’re not just signing up for milk — you’re becoming part of the herd itself. We both sign a membership agreement allowing you, the customer, to get raw dairy from your own cows, by making you part owner in the herd of cows.
Matt and I retain all of the control, decision making, and care of the herd. Don’t worry, you don’t have to come out to the farm at 4:30 am and 4:00 pm all year long to help us milk!
You pay a boarding fee for us to take care of your part of the herd. Each share represents a portion of our cows and their care, and in return you receive your share of what they provide.
One share generally comes out to a half gallon of milk. It’s a simple, old-fashioned way of connecting you to the farm and the goodness of fresh milk. The more you want, the more shares you buy.
Why can’t we just “buy milk” from you?
Raw milk laws in our state are a bit ambiguous and can be interpreted in different ways.
To make sure we’re operating with clarity and protecting both the farm and our members, we use a herdshare model.
That means you’re not buying milk from us — you’re buying a share of the herd and receiving the portion of milk that belongs to you.
It might sound complicated at first, but in practice it’s very simple. Own a share of the herd → receive your share of the milk (usually a half gallon).
What does a share cost?
One share costs $8.
What methods of payment do you accept?
Cash. Cash = freedom, and we’re all about that!
What is the pickup schedule?
Pick up is at our farm - 2506 90th St, Plato. You can put “Humble Beginnings Dairy” into Google Maps.
It is from 8 am to 8 pm Monday through Saturday and 8 am to 3 pm on Sunday. You can pick up biweekly (most common) or weekly.
You do not have to be here on the same day every time, but rather, you have a block of days when you can pick up and you must show up during that block.
Blocks are Monday/Tuesday, Wednesday/Thursday, and Friday/Saturday/Sunday.
If you decide to quit, increase, or decrease the number of shares you have - give me one week’s notice before your next pickup.
What if I am out of town?
This part of the herd is set aside just for you, so we can’t offer it to anyone else. If you're going to be out of town or can’t make it to your pick-up, you can either find someone to pick up your shares for you, switch to a different pick-up day (just ask and we’ll see if it works with the schedule!), or skip that week and pay the boarding fee. Raising dairy cows is a year-round, 24/7 job for us, so your commitment is important—it’s one your gut and immune system will thank you for!
What do I have to do to join?
1. Decide how many shares you will go through between your pickups. This is not designed to fluctuate every single time you pick up, but if you find you need to adjust to get the right amount, you can - just give me one week’s notice.
2. Text Amy and confirm that there is an opening that will work in both of our schedules.
3. Pay a membership fee and sign the membership agreement.
4. Pay deposits on glass bottles, if you’d like to use glass ($7). Glass deposits are only made once. As long as you bring all the bottles or jars back CLEAN, you do not pay the deposit at each pickup. We will reuse your bottles for next time. If you break or lose one, you will have to pay additional deposits. If you don’t want to use glass for milk, we also have plastic jugs. They cost 25 cents each and are not reusable - you pay for them each time.
Can you give me an example?
Let’s say you want to join the Herdshare and pick up one gallon of milk every other week on the Monday/Tuesday block. You will text me to set up an appointment to meet you the first time, to show you where everything is, and answer your questions. At the first pickup, you will pay:
$15 herdshare fee, $14 for two glass bottle deposits, $16 for your shares. $45 total.
At the next pickup, you will not have to make an appointment. Show up between 8 am and 8 pm on either Monday or Tuesday. You will bring back both of your clean glass bottles (if you are using them). You will pay $16 for your 2 shares.
Can I try the milk first?
Yes, you can make a one time purchase without joining. Just make an appointment with Amy 24-48 hours ahead of time, come to the farm, bring your own container(s) and cash.
Do you have openings?
Text Amy to find out!