Here's How it Works
In Texas, a herdshare is basically a way for families to enjoy raw milk by becoming partial owners of the cows that produce it. Instead of “buying milk,” you’re buying a share of the herd, which is what makes it legal to receive your portion of the milk they produce.
Here’s how our herdshare works at The Heritage Homestead:
• You purchase a share of our herd.
This one-time membership makes you a small owner in the cows, which is why you’re legally allowed to receive the milk they give.
• You cover boarding + care through your weekly milk cost.
Your payment isn’t for the milk itself — it’s your portion of the cost to feed, house, and care for the cows who produce it.
• You receive your share of the milk each week.
Because you’re a herd owner, the milk already belongs to you. We simply milk the cows and prepare your portion for pickup.
• You can pause or stop anytime.
A herdshare is flexible — you’re not locked in forever. Think of it like temporarily “renting” part of a dairy cow while you want fresh milk.
• It keeps everything legal and local.
Since Texas doesn’t allow raw milk sales at the farm without a license, herdshares let families enjoy raw milk from cows they legally co-own. It keeps things personal, transparent, and community-focused.
Herdshares are a beautiful way to support small farmers, know exactly where your food comes from, and enjoy fresh, high-quality milk from cows raised with care.
Share Cost & Boarding Fees
Share fee (one-time membership fee)
A one-time share fee of $10.00 per share will give you (the Shareholder) access to a share in our milk and other select farm goods like butter, so long as you pay the weekly boarding fees billed weekly or monthly.
Each share entitles you to one gallon of our raw A2/A2 whole milk each week, so long as it's reasonably available and boarding fees are paid before pickup date.
* Your share of ownership will end when boarding fees are no longer paid or either party gives a 30-day notice.
Boarding Fees
After the desired number of shares are purchased, Shareholder will be responsible for weekly boarding fees to assist in the maintenance, upkeep, and production costs of "our" herd.
Boarding fees are $40 per calendar month per share (or $10 weekly)
For Example: If you want 1 gallon of milk each week, you would pay $10.00 to purchase one share.
After that you would pay $40.00 per calendar month per share.
Boarding fees must be paid even in the event:
- That you cannot pick up your milk for any reason*
- The Provider needs to withdraw milk for testing or treating the cow**
- The cow is in a lesser production phase (usually due to calf sharing the months following or proceeding with calving)**
* If the Shareholder can't pick up their milk share during the agreed upon time and day, the Provider will decide to whom and where to donate their share, unless Shareholder makes prior agreements with Provider. Boarding fees must still be paid without compensation.
**Provider is committed to caring for the herd, including feeding, milking, and delivering quality fresh milk and other dairy goods. Provider will do their best to ensure the above events are as least disruptive as they can be. For instance, the Provider will try to have more than one cow in milk at all times so as to accommodate for any milk production loss.
Pick up
Location: College Station & Franklin, TX (Schedule a day to pick up)
$7.00 jar deposit may apply if you lose or break previous jars given to you. Here are a few affiliate links for jars supplies:
Wide mouth plastic lids with sealing ring
MEMBERS ONLY add-on benefits
Herd share members can purchase additional herd shares of raw cream
1 Cream share (one pint of unpasteurized A2/A2 cream each week) = boarding fee of $35.00 per calendar month.
2 Cream shares (one quart of unpasteurized A2/A2 cream each week) = boarding fee of $40.00 per calendar month.
Supply is limited.
*note: Excellent as a healthy-rich coffee creamer or for making a quarter pound of delicious golden butter pairing well with fresh herbs and garlic!