What is a Herd Share?

The concept behind a herd share is that individuals or families who are interested in obtaining raw milk can purchase a share of a cow or goat from a farmer. The farmer then takes care of the animals and milks them on behalf of the shareholders. Shareholders are required to pay a fee to the farmer to cover the cost of boarding, feeding, and caring for the animals.

By owning a share of the animal, shareholders have a legal right to the milk produced by that animal. Since they are not buying the milk, but instead are obtaining it as a product of their ownership in the animal, they are not subject to the same regulations as those who sell raw milk.

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