Summaries
of Projects Financed by
the NLPA Sheep & Goat Fund
DAIRY PROJECTS
Project #2
-- Sheep Dairy
This loan was
established with a sheep dairy in upstate New York to purchase milking
equipment. The dairy recently began its first full season of milk
production. The main goals of the dairy are to be milking 250 ewes
and producing over 75,000 pounds of Grade A milk in 2003. The sheep
milk will be bagged and frozen in an on-site, walk-in, blast freezer,
and then trucked to the Albany-area cheesemaker. Market lambs are
sold locally to New York State consumers.
The domestic
market for sheep-milk products is extremely strong, particularly
in the Northeast. The dairy, which is operated by an individual
with extensive experience as a shepherd and dairy farm worker, has
contracted to sell its milk to a New York State cheesemaker. There
has been considerable interest in the dairy among (cow) dairy farmers
in the region, where many are looking for financially viable alternatives
to traditional dairying. The success of this sheep dairy project
will serve as a model for those looking for a profitable alternative
to the marginally viable dairy farms of the region.
Project
#10 -- Goat Dairy
This loan was
established to help a goat dairy in north central New Mexico to
complete USDA Grade A certification and become a viable cheese-making
operation. The facility had been working toward meeting this certification
for the past four years, during which it has acquired a Grade A
qualifying dairy goat herd, buildings and equipment and built the
financial stability to pursue certification.
With the loan
from NLPA's Sheep & Goat Fund, the facility will be able to
complete all of the certification requirements within a few months
and would be ready for the certification inspections.
Upon certification
of Grade A status, the dairy will become a viable cheese-making
operation, opening the door to a market where demand is high, and
local (New Mexico) supply is extremely limited.
Project
#12 -- Sheep Cheese Processor
This loan provided
funding for an upgrade in milking equipment, cheese processing and
handling equipment and road access to the cheese ripening cave,
as well as, working capitol to support higher operating costs until
financial benefits of the expansion are received and refinancing
of current debt at a considerably reduced rate. This cheese company
produces and markets a trademarked product, a specialty sheep cheese
widely regarded as one of the best cheeses in the country. They
have received numerous awards since 1993, most recently, the prestigious
"Best of Show" award at the 2000 American Cheese Society's
competition in Sonoma, CA and best U.S. Sheep Cheese in the 2001
U.S. Championship Cheese Contest. They work with a guild of five
farms in Vermont and New Hampshire to produce their award-winning
cheeses.
Project
#22 -- Goat Dairy Product Expansion
This funding
will be used by a LLC formed by a group of Grade A goat dairies
in Michigan to purchase an existing facility to accommodate future
growth and purchasing and installing equipment needed to allow for
expansion of its product lines from high quality cheese and yogurt
products to include butter and ice cream. The impact of this project
on the goat industry in Michigan is evidenced by the expansion in
the number of farms shipping their milk to this facility for processing
and the ever-growing demand for the quality based, value-priced
goat dairy products. They market through distributors and also market
directly to some select stores and chains. Their niche market are
health conscious shoppers who are aware that they are choosing to
support small-scale farms and upscale gourmet product buyers who
choose to buy the best regardless of cost.
Project
#27 -- Goat Dairy
Funds are being used by an award-winning goat cheese business in
California. After experiencing several years of remarkable growth
this company decided to continue their growth and stake out the
position of market leader in the fast expanding goat cheese market.
This funding will be used to decrease their dependence on foreign
curd by letting them establish a dependable, expanded supply of
local and regional goat milk and also, by increasing their capacity
to make in-house curd. They plan to grow the market for goat cheese
and increase their share of the expanding market and in addition
raise the general awareness of goats and their products, especially
cheese, by establishing an educational goat farm and creamery.
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Project
#30 -- Goat Dairy
A goat dairy in Vermont is using funds to expand its existing facility
and product line in order to produce ripened goat chees in addition
to the fresh goat cheese products currently sold. The project includes
construction of a state-of-the-art cheese manufacturing facility,
the launc of three new aged goat cheeses and development costs associated
with increasing the milk supply and prices to farmers.
Project
#33 -- Goat Dairy
A goat dairy in Wisconsin is using the Funds to purchase additional
equipment such as a milk pump, a plate cooler, labels, bottles and
containers for new products. The company is expanding its dairy
production capabilities and is involved with developing chocolate
milk and different styles of cheese, kefi, and frozen yogurt.
Project
#36 -- Goat Dairy
A goat dairy in California used funds to remodel existing barns
to increase feeding space, purchase feeding equipment, construct
a barn for feed storage, and to build a shelter structure for livestock.
The expansion of facilities allows the dairy to increase production
significantly.
Project
#38 -- Goat Dairy
A goat dairy in Oregon is used the fund to construct a Grade-A dairy
goat milking parlor able to accommodate up to 100 mikers and processing
area; the installation and customization of equiment, the reconstructon
of an existing well and operating expenses. The company hopes to
enhance the goat milk market in its local area, but needs to have
a larger facility to provide an adequate supply to the area's needs.
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