Small Ruminant Resources

What is the current market outlook?

There has never been a better time to make and sell great cheese. People worldwide are consuming more high-quality, handmade cheese than ever before. Additionally, consumers are interested in other artisan products, such as soap bars and lotions. To help value-added producers prepare or diversify into this space, we have compiled resources that may be beneficial to you.

Check out some of our resources to see if a small ruminant enterprise is right for you!

Marketing, Books, & Budgeting for Small Ruminant Producers

Marketing

Unlock your marketing potential! Watch our marketing training to gain the skills and knowledge to excel in today's business landscape. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting your journey, this video will give you tools to create impactful marketing decisions and strategies.

Mastering Artisan Cheesemaking

Are you ready to get into the science of cheesemaking? Do you want to see the effects one can have with different cultures and additives? This book helps explain all of that! Another fantastic recommendation by Keely and Daniel Showalter of Maid-N-Meadows Dairy.

The Farmstead Creamery Advisor, screenshot of book cover

Creating a Successful Cheesemaking Business

This book, by Gianaclis Caldwell, talks about facility design, equipment, history, and science of cheesemaking. Are you ready to get started on your cheesemaking endeavor? Our very own Maid-N-Meadows dairy (located in Glasgow, Kentucky) has recommended this book to help get started.

Enterprise Budget

Are you interested in getting some dairy goats and want to see what the cost might be? Are you currently milking and want to keep track of your expenses? Take a look at this resource created by Iowa State University.

Online Resources for:

So You Want to Sell Your Soap?: This resource that dives into topics such as packaging and labeling, licenses, taxes, etc.
Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetic Guild's Lye Calculator: Follow our easy, step-by-step calculator to calculate the amount of lye you need for the oils in your product.
Beginner's Guide to Making CP Soap: The Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetic Guild has a resource on the Beginner's Guide to Making Cold Pressed Soap.

Value-Added Products Utilizing Goat & Sheep Milk: This resource from Alabama Extension goes over the different products you can make using small ruminant milk.

Fundamentals of On-Farm Retail: Introduction: This publication by the University of Tennessee lays out considerations when looking into starting up your retail space.
Fundamentals of On-Farm Retail: Promotion: Looking for tips on promotion for your products? This publication dives into digital, on-farm, and offline promotion.
Fundamentals of On-Farm Retail: Product Assortment: This publication describes types of merchandise, considerations for your retail space, and identifying customers wants/needs.
Fundamentals of On-Farm Retail: Merchandising and Store Design: This publication by the University of Tennessee helps producers make merchandising and store design considerations.