So what is a herdshare?

So let's say you and 9 friends want fresh raw milk but the cow costs $1,000 dollars. Each person in your group of 10 pays $100 to buy the cow. Yay! You each now own 1/10th of a cow! 

Bessie the cow gives 10 gallons of milk every week. You all decide that your friend, Farmer Fred is going to feed, house, clean, take care of and milk Bessie 2 times per day.  Each of you pay Farmer Fred $40 per month to do all the work and in return Fred provides each of you one gallon of milk per week. This is how herdsharing works!

If you decide you want more milk per week, you would have to buy an additional share from one of your other friends who wants out of the herdshare. You would also have to pay Farmer Fred an additional $40 each month since you are receiving 2/10ths of the milk now. 

If you decide you don't like the taste of Bessie's milk you sell your shares to Farmer Fred and are no longer a part of the herdshare. 

(We might be biased but we think Bessie's milk is really good) :)

Each state had different laws regarding the sale of raw milk and in Ohio the only legal way to obtain unpasteurized raw milk is via a herdshare.

A herdshare is a written contractual agreement with a farmer through which you buy a share of the herd and become a part owner of the farmer’s dairy herd. 

So you're not buying raw milk, you're receiving a portion of the milk from the cow you co-own with the farmer and other members. Luckily for you, you don't have to find a group of friends to buy a cow with. You can simply buy a share of our herd. 

At The Old Wood Bridge Farm the "buy-in" or "share" cost is $50. This is a one time fee to become a member. This share can be sold back to the farm upon request if you decide to leave the herdshare.

1 share = 1 gallon of milk per week

Cows also require shelter, feed, vet care, and twice daily milking. A monthly care and boarding fee is paid to the farmer to house and do the day-to-day care and milking of the cow. In return, each shareholder receives a corresponding amount of milk. 

At The Old Wood Bridge Farm our monthly fee for 1 share is $40 for 1 gallon/week. Some months will have 5 weeks and others 3 or 4, the fee is $40/month regardless.

Aside from legally protecting your farmer, milk is an extremely perishable good. Once a cow starts producing milk she will give 5-6 gallons per day, depending on where she’s at in lactation. Signing a contract ensures that every gallon will be enjoyed and never wasted!

We can provide bottles for a deposit or you’re welcome to buy your own. We require them to be glass and strongly suggest a wide opening for easy cleaning. Clean, sanitized containers help the milk to taste its best and stay fresh for longer.

Each cow gives about 5 gallons of milk/day so we ask you to pick a day for pick up (if it is available) and that will remain your same day every week. This ensures your milk is no older than 24 hours upon pickup. You will return your clean jars at the following week’s pick up. Bottle deposits will be returned if you decide to leave the herdshare.

The Old Wood Bridge Farm has half gallon bottles available for a deposit:

Half gallon bottles:

 (4 bottles/share) = $16.00

• Each cow gives a certain amount of milk per day so you’ll have to decide what day you can pick up your milk. Preferably you will pick up your milk on the same day each week. Milk can be held for an additional 24 hours if necessary, it just will not be first-day fresh. Alternate days can be made upon request only if milk is available.
• We like to make sure the milk is as fresh as possible so each milking is bottled only for the pickups we have scheduled in the following 12-24 hours. Meaning we generally cannot make changes less than 24 hours in advance.
• Decide if you’d like your milk in half or full gallon jars.
• Contact us and make sure there are still shares available for your preferred day.
• We also offer a once monthly bulk pick up for those who would like a full month at once for making cheese, yogurt or butter etc...
• At the first pickup you will sign the contracts making you a part owner of the herd, entitling you to milk from your cow. You can then pick up and enjoy your fresh unprocessed raw milk!

Cost example for 1 share in 2 half-gallon bottles

Buy-in fee = $50.00 

Bottle dep. = $16.00 

Monthly boarding fee = $40.00

Total due at contract signing = $106.00

Total due each month after = $40.00

While we love our raw milk and believe in the superior health benefits, we realize raw milk might not be for everyone. Your kids might not like it, it’s not as convenient as the grocery store... whatever the reason may be, just let us know!
If you decide to leave the herdshare and you return your bottles intact, you will be reimbursed your deposit and your share can be sold back to the farm at your request.