Andrew and Blake Place took their chance on an honour program , and the payoff take into account them to bring their goat ’s milk gelato product online .
Getting into the commercial-grade dairy laughingstock business is risky mighty now , according to Blake Place . She and hubby Andrew operateHidden Pastures Goat Dairyin Glenfield , New York .
The couple found their commercial goat dairy business in 2017 after first owning two pets . Their initial milking ruck was 20 , and at their peak they milked 160 goats for fluid milk , gelato and tall mallow on a 100 Akka - farm just two hours from the Canadian molding .
“ We have importantly crumple down to endure COVID-19 and the lack of markets for fluid Capricorn the Goat milk , ” she say . “ We have been focus on more economic value - added products , and we ’ve been able to do that because of the Farm Bureau prize we win . ”
In 2018 , Hidden Pastures Goat Dairy won the American Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge . well-nigh 500 farms entered the contest and winners were prefer across 10 category .
Hidden Pastures make headway the Best Local Farm Product start out Up Category . The honor include a $ 10,000 balk , which Place used to set up the farm ’s commercial gelato product .
Hidden Pastures Goat Dairy
“ I ’m always splash around in the hobby end of things , and we settle to make it a business , ” she says . “ That helped us plunge so I could depart my problem and work on the farm . ”
Learn more about how to choose the right breed of dairy goat for your farm .
Making It A Priority
The betting odds of advance a countrywide contest can feel like a longshot . There ’s also a never ending to - do list that make it look there ’s no time to complete an program .
Even Place ’s hubby did n’t retrieve it was worth the time to use for theFarm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge .
“ It was the last thing I should have been doing , ” she says . “ We were going 110 miles per minute , but I just sat down and did it . ”
Hidden Pastures Goat Dairy
Aside from making the clip , Place believes that her transparency in the lotion and their unique mind for a gelato made from goat ’s milk sealed the deal . Looking for a agency to severalise a farm line of work from others providing similar product is cardinal to standing out in an software and for creating a successful business model , according to Place .
“ You ca n’t go forward without attempt something , ” she says . “ At least trying gets you going in the proper focus . ”Hidden Pastures Goat Dairy
Start Up Funds
With the hard currency award , Place buy milk equipment , developed a goat ’s Milk River gelato Cartesian product , put it through examination and created the packaging and marketing .
In addition to the funds , Place also receive an all - expense - give slip to Nashville to attend the American Farm Bureau Convention . There she meet other farm entrepreneurs , which she says was invaluable in building her commercial enterprise .
“ People do n’t realize how much goes into create a new product , ” she says . “ It ’s a lot more than just turn the Milk River into gelato . ”
There’s Still Time to Apply
It is n’t too late to use to the seventh annual Ag Innovation Challenge . Applications are accept through July 31 , 2020 . Ten startup will be selected to compete at the AFBF Annual Convention in January 20201 as Semi - Finalists .
Each will invite $ 7,500 .
Four finalist squad will advance and be give three minutes to pitch their clientele to a panel of judges . Presentations will be livestreamed , and viewers will vote for the People ’s Choice Award winner for a sum of $ 20,000 .
Additionally , a 2021 Farm Bureau Entrepreneur of the twelvemonth will be take and will receive $ 50,000 .
find out out these 5 ways to maximize your dairy farm goat ’s lactation cycle .
Thinking Outside the Box
There are no Capricorn Milk River cooperatives in New York state , so Place has had to get creative . Prior to the coronavirus pandemic , she shipped milk to a creamery more than three 60 minutes away . Currently , the creamery is n’t accepting Capricorn Milk River , so Place has had to adjust .
“ We are doing more value - added thing on the farm as we figure out how to conform , ” she says .
In add-on to selling gelato and soap on - farm , they have added goat yoga , farm yoga and other activities to make up for the fact that they are currently unable to bottle Milk River .
Place also launch a Goats In Pink Collar campaign , # goatsinpinkcollars , with 100 percent of the donation travel to the local hospital . She also work with volunteers to start@lewiscountyfarmto donate farm Cartesian product from the area to community of interests member in need .
