Goat milk products and goat meat in Oregon

by Nate Rafn

Goats are fascinating animals. They have a varied diet, which includes plants that other livestock refuse to eat. Goats will often browse on blackberries, weeds, and tips of woody shrubs and trees. They excel in converting otherwise-unused plant matter into high quality meat and milk.

While goat meat is not nearly as common as beef, chicken, or pork, several farmers in Oregon believe goat meat will become more popular as rural land gives way to development. Goats are uniquely designed to thrive on hillsides and forested areas where crops and other livestock wouldn't work.

In addition, goats require less feed inputs and can survive very well on native vegetation. Their meat and milk is generally superior to that of a confined animal.

Goat milk has a slightly different taste and texture than cow's milk.  It contains smaller fat globules, which keeps the cream suspended in the milk, instead of rising to the top. Although goat's milk usually has a more pronounced flavor than cow's milk, the unique taste translates very well when made into goat cheese.

Unlike raw cow's milk, raw goat milk sales are legal at the retail level in Oregon. Raw goat milk sales are also legal on the farm. No permit is necessary for farmers with no more than nine milking goats who sell the milk on the farm directly to the consumer.

Goat Dairy Farms

Abita Springs Farm
503-287-7773
Portland, OR
Products: raw or pasteurized goat milk

Bellafire Farm
McMinnville, OR
Products: raw milk from Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats

Fairview Farm Dairy
503-623-4744
Dallas, OR
Products: organic goat cheese, goat milk, goat milk ice cream, farm stand

Fraga Farm Goat Cheese
541-367-3891
28580 Pleasant Valley Rd. Sweet Home, OR
Products: several varieties of organic goat cheese

Great Adventure Farm
allmazur@yahoo.com
Redmond, OR
Products: raw milk from Alpine dairy goats

River Ridge Farm
503-623-9735
Dallas, OR
Products: raw goat milk

Rivers Edge Chèvre | Three Ring Farm
541-444-1362
Logsden, OR
Products: several varieties of goat cheese

Three Willows Ranch
541-747-9296
Springfield, OR
Products: raw milk from Nubian and Alpine goats

Tumbleweed Farm
tiffanyinbend@yahoo.com
Bend, OR
Products: raw goat milk, yogurt, soft cheese, kefir, and buttermilk

Goat Meat Farms

Harmony JACK Farms
503-767-2174
41154 Ridge Drive Scio, OR
Products: pasture-based goat meat, half or whole, custom cut and wrapped

Lookout Point Ranch
541-554-0650
40160 East First Street, Lowell, OR
Products: Kiko goat breeding stock, brush goats, herdsires

Moon Fire Farm
Tumalo, OR
Products: Boer goat meat, Alpine goat milk

Oregon Meat Goat Producers
503-310-2865
Services: cooperative marketing, education, networking

Rocking W Boer Goats
503-873-5387
Silverton, OR
Products: goat meat sold "on the hoof"

Sand Lily Goat Farm
Bend, OR
Products: Boer goat meat raised on organic pasture

Middle Eastern & Halal Markets

Bazaar Pakistani-Indian & Madina Halal Meats
503-641-1352
10255 SW Canyon Rd. Beaverton, OR
Products: goat, lamb, chicken, and beef

Beaverton Halal Meat and Mediterranean Groceries
503-574-2383
11527 SW Canyon Rd. Beaverton, OR
Products: goat meat, olives, spices, desserts, bread, dairy products

Halal Meat & Mediterranean Food-Deli
503-293-3020
11535 SW Pacific Hwy. Tigard, OR
Products: goat meat, olives, olive oil, rose water, beans, coffee, tea, cheese, yogurt