Raw Milk Herdshares from Jorasz Family Ranch in Bark River, MI
Raw milk cannot be sold or purchased in the state of Michigan, so our members own the herd instead. Buy a share of our registered A2/A2 Brown Swiss and Guernsey cows, pay weekly board for their care, and pick up fresh whole milk every week, year-round.
How much does a herdshare cost?
A herdshare has two parts: a one-time buy-in for your share of the herd, and weekly board that covers the cows' feed, care and milking.
How does a herdshare work?
Three steps to your first pickup. We do all the barn chores.
Choose How Many Shares
Own a half share, a full share or several. Each share is your part of the herd and the milk it produces.
Pick Your Pickup Site
Collect your milk at the farm in Bark River or in Skandia, Escanaba, Ishpeming, Iron Mountain or Norway.
Sign the Member Agreements
Join JFR's Sovereign Acres, our Private Membership Association, and sign a bill of sale for your part of the herd.
Where can I pick up my milk?
Members pick up at the farm in Bark River or in Skandia, Escanaba, Ishpeming, Iron Mountain or Norway. We share pickup details once you've signed the member agreements.
Why buy a share instead of milk?
In Michigan, as of this writing, it’s against Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) regulation, not law, for dairy cow owners to sell raw milk to their neighbors. Owning dairy cattle makes it possible for you to enjoy milk without any of the hassle or regulation (or barn chores).
What does it mean to own part of the herd?
You own part of a real, living, breathing, eating dairy cow, and you're entitled to your share of the whole milk she produces. Your board makes sure all of her nourishment, milking, medical, shelter and reproductive needs are met, 24/7, year-round.
How do you test and handle your milk?
We are currently LISTED as a raw milk dairy with the Raw Milk Institute. This means that we have gone through a rigorous audit of our milk collection and bottling procedures and have exceeded their standards for the safe production of raw milk for human consumption.
Herdshare Questions
Answers to what new members ask most. Still wondering about something? Call us at 906-723-3135.
No. Your cow still needs feed, milking and care while you're away, so board continues even when you aren't picking up milk.
You join JFR's Sovereign Acres, our Private Membership Association, and sign a bill of sale for your share of the herd. Board is billed every 4 weeks and renews automatically.
Own Part of a Real Dairy Herd
Choose your share size and pickup site in a few minutes. We'll take care of the cows.
