How does a herd share work?
What is a “herd share” and why would I become a “member” of one?
In the state of Virginia, it is illegal for a farmer to sell raw milk to an individual. The only raw milk sales are to cooperatives that process the milk into pasteurized milk & other dairy products.
It is not illegal, however, to drink raw milk, obtain raw milk, or source raw milk from your own animal in Virginia.
The demand for safe and nutrient-dense raw milk continues to grow rapidly as more families learn about the benefits of raw milk. Our mission is to make healthy & delicious raw milk easily obtainable for you!
To source raw milk in Virginia, an individual must be an owner of a share in the herd and pay a weekly fee for “boarding & delivery” - this weekly amount pays for their portion of the milking herd being fed, milked, and cared for, and the delivery of the raw milk to the pick up location of choice.
Milk is delivered consistently every week, same amount as your share size, all year round. Raw milk from Creambrook Farm is delivered to a pick up site every week with agreed upon hours for pick up - like a milk subscription from your very own cow!
(But you don't have to wake up at 5:00 AM to milk the cows. Win-win).
What is the pricing?
Ownership Fee (one-time cost & refundable)
Herd share members pay a one-time fee to own the share. The ownership fee for one share is $30 and a half share is $15. Purchase as many shares as your family desires in gallons per week.
One share is for the ownership of 1 share, i.e. you are able to legally receive 1 Gallon of Raw Milk each week. This is refundable if you choose to end the membership and provide two weeks notice. (Read our herd share policy here).
Weekly Fee (boarding of the herd & delivery of raw milk)
For the weekly cost to board your part of the herd at our farm & receive weekly deliveries, see pricing here.
We deliver once per week to each location, every week of the year (barring weather events, closures, etc). It is our responsibility to deliver your share and your responsibility to pick it up.
With a herd share, we cannot offer monthly or bi-weekly delivery schedules. Our farm operates on a weekly schedule due to the nature of being a herd share.
How do I join the herd share?
Click here for our sign up form.
Select the city or town closest to you and review the delivery day & pick up days & hours available for pick up. When viewing on a desktop, the Summary on the right side of the screen lists your first day of pick up.
Click “Next” and select the quantity of gallons and/or half gallon shares of raw milk that you would like to own.
Click “Next” and select the payment plan. Debit on Delivery is for weekly autopay, or you can select a prepaid credit option for your account.
Create an account, fill out your information, and complete the sign up process. You will receive an automated Welcome email that lists important details for your first delivery, (address/pick up details/hours).
You will receive a Herd Share Agreement within 24 - 48 hours that must be signed electronically before we can fulfill your first delivery.
Once you have signed your Herd Share Agreement, the first delivery of your Creambrook Herd Share will begin! Yay!
Review your Welcome email with the pick up site directions and pick up your first share & check your name off the list at the pick up site. Your herd share will be delivered every week!
We communicate primarily through email and that is the best way to reach us! If you have any questions about your herd share or Creambrook Farm, we would be glad to help.
How do I order add-on services like Raw Cream or Raw Kefir?
Login to your member account here. Click on “Store” and select the add-on services and quantities desired. Add the items to your cart and complete the process. You will receive a confirmation email with the delivery date of your items. These are services provided from Creambrook made with Creambrook Raw Milk.
We can’t wait to begin serving you and your family!
