Summerhill

goat dairy

Our history

Summerhill Goat Dairy is a single-family owned and operating farm located in Central California. John and Anneke de Jong began milking goats in 1999, when we purchased a small goat dairy in Southern California. Over the years the dairy outgrew its small, rented facility. In 2008, land was purchased in Central California and plans were made to relocate. At the end of 2009, Summerhill Dairy moved to its new dairy farm. Our goats love their brand new European, rotary style milking parlor and all the room they have to frolic and play. We love the processing plant that allows us to pasteurize and bottle our Grade A milk in a much more efficient and environmentally friendly manner. We also have the acreage to begin growing some of our own hay for the goats, as well as room for future growth.

The goats

We milk a variety of goats – Alpine, LaMancha, Nubian, Saanen and Toggenburg. Each breed has its own unique characteristics that contribute to the mild and delicious flavor of our milk.

Housing

At Summerhill Dairy our goats are well cared for. Their well being and happiness is very important to us. All of our goats are housed in large areas, with a warm dry shelter that is bedded with straw. There are also large outdoor areas where the goats can frolic and play whenever they want. Our goats are given fresh food several times a day and always have access to good food and clean water. Each kid is hand raised and individually cared for.

Diet

Although goats are notoriously curious and will try out many tastes and textures (our paperwork, clothing, boots, etc!) they are very picky eaters. The majority of their diet consists of high quality alfalfa or oat hay. We ensure that the rest of their nutritional needs are met by also providing a small ration of grain that includes essential nutrients and vitamins. Our goats are lactating mothers who need the extra protein and nutrients that grain provides. Summerhill Dairy’s goats eat an all vegetarian diet – they are never fed any animal byproducts, nor does their diet contain any soy products. Although their feed is usually not certified organic, we do work to ensure that their diet is natural and plentiful.