Feeling a little scattered about the Dairy

mpete · #1 01/16/12, 05:44 PM

I sent off an email to the California food people asking them up to critique my home/farm set up to see if having the Grade A goat Dairy is even an option for my future... My main purpose right now is the Boers, but I also have a couple of nice Saanens and other dairy type that are going to be the start of my dairy. I have wanted a grade A for years... so I figured before I get any financial commitments to pay for anything I want them (the inspectors) to let me know that I fall into all the "new laws" about "how far the parlor is from any animals, Do I need to add any other buildings, where would they like me to put the milking parlor.... and the BEST question is ;;;;;;;;;;; DO THEY KNOW OF ANY GRANTS I COULD GET!!!!!!!! just nervous now...... don't know why. I am just trying to play this the right way...

eclipchic · #2 01/16/12, 07:05 PM

That's a great start. We've tossed around the idea of building a licensed dairy before we retire....its going to be a while for us though. fingers crossed that they give you lots of grant details

Alice In TX/MO · #3 01/16/12, 07:15 PM

What do you have (buildings, milk house, etc) so far?

mpete · #4 01/16/12, 11:06 PM

so far I only have the goats. I don't want to put $ into a building if they say I can't do it. This way they can tell me where tp out it, how to build it and to "their" specifications. (Trying to make brownie points seeings how this person will be the one inspecting every week or month or whenever they decide to come up). I have at least 2 different build sites. But 1 of them is 98 feet from the chickens & I think it has to be 100 feet... so, although it would be my best place to put the parlor, the inspector may not like that spot. The other spot will work too, but the first spot is more 'convenient' for me.
I only want to have a small operation... up to 9 does in milk at a time... staggered breedings so no less than 5. We are always getting calls for milk, so I am not worried about the customers... also, I have a friend who owns a health food store and will market the fresh milk.