Jekuthiel (jek-ooth-ee'-ale) means -- God will support "And do not seek what you shall eat, and what you shall drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek for His kingdom, and these things shall be added to you." ---- Luke 12:29-31
"and there will be goat's milk enough for your food" ---- Proverbs 27:27a
Thank you for your interest in Jekuthiel's Dairy!
I have been licensed as a Grade A goat dairy since August 27, 2007.
I hand milk a SMALL herd of registered Nubian goats that produce wonderfully tasting, sweet, whole milk! We practice natural methods with our herd health and cleaning (hydrogen peroxide) as much as possible. No chlorine or bleach here! You can see what our girls are fed on the goat page.
My herd is CAE, CL & Johnes negative and is tested yearly through WSU (Oct 2009 was the first year we tested for CL & Johnes). The girls are also tested yearly for for TB & Brucellosis, per the Grade A requirements in WA State (Q-Fever was also added to this list in 2008), and have all tested negative (current testing was done May 23,'10, NEG!). The State also takes monthly samples of my milk and tests for non-specific coliform, total plate count of bacteria, somatic cell count, anti-biotic residue, listeria, salmonella and e coli 0157:H7. The requirements in WA State for RAW milk are well below the limits allowed for milk that is sold to a processor where it is pasteurized. My coliform tests have come back 'non detectable' when I send them to a local lab (the State will no longer give us our monthly results, because the 'big' dairies have lobbied agains us 'small' dairies getting our results). I have never had CL in the herd. I have chosen not to vaccinate.
I'm usually milking between 2-6 Nubian does through the year. I do not bred all my does at once, but staggering the breedings (kiddings are usually from December - April) so that we always have at least some milk in supply. Though it will be LOW during the Winter months, as does dry off 2 months before kidding again.
I bottle my milk in glass half gallon & quart jars w/ the white plastic lids, single use half gallon, & quart plastic milk bottles.
My milk has a 10 day best used by date on the label, as you have to put some type of date on there. Personally, I have drunk my milk (when kept COLD, usually just above freezing) 3-4 weeks or more later and it still tastes as sweet and fresh as the day it was milked!
With the interest in Goat Cheese, but not being able to sell it with my current license (I'm only licensed to sell RAW fluid goat milk), I have decided to carry some basic cheese making supplies, so that people can learn just how easy it is to make their own cheese at home! I have put together a small, basic Cheese Making Kit that includes my favorite goat milk recipe book (Goats Produce, too!), Rennet, Cloth Diaper Flats (for draining cheese), and a thermometer! You can get more info here: Cheese Making Kit
Where is my milk available?
* At the Farm - 360-229-1924
- ($7.00/half gal, $4.00/quart, plastic or glass)
- 10 miles West of Shelton, near Dayton
* Abel Wellness Center, LLC - 360-205-3085
- (half gallons in plastic)
- 24160 NE SR-3, Suite 1, Belfair, WA 98528
(to the left of the 76 Gas Station)
- Open: Tue-Thurs 10AM-7PM & Fri-Sat 10AM-5PM
Glass Jar Deposits... I charge a $3/glass jar deposit when you pick up milk in my half gallon glass jars ($2 for quart jars) to cover replacement costs, if needed. The $3 deposit (or $2 for quarts) is refunded each time you bring back a CLEAN glass jar (you do not need to remove the labels) when you pick up more milk.
View my website to see my picture journal of us building the Dairy from start to finish. I have also included some other links and books that may be of interest regarding RAW milk.
Contact me to find out if I have milk available!
Jekuthiel's Dairy
Jessica Howard, owner
Located near Shelton, WA (45 min NW of Olympia)
360-229-1924 http://jekuthiel.com/dairy.html
A view of the porch and customer fridge.
Milkroom- view from the doorway.
Milkroom - view around the corner.
Milking Parlor- first set of girls are out
and ready to be milked.
You can see the handwashing sink
in this shot.
now on to the second set of girls!
Milk running through the filter
before being bottled.
Milk bottled and chilling in the ice water bath.
Along with my temperature control jug.
