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The North Carolina Department of Agriculture granted Goat Lady Dairy their goat dairy license in 1996, one of only a handful in the state. They say it was only natural for them to take the name "Goat Lady Dairy." Ginnie raised goats as a hobby for many years and was affectionately known by her friends and customers as "the Goat Lady." Their name also signifies to them that their goats are ladies with gentility, grace and individual character! The herd consists of three breeds: the pure white Saanen, the long-eared Nubian and the multi-colored French Alpine dairy goats. They keep a herd of only 50-75 goats in order to maintain maximum herd health and keep our operation simple. They follow the natural dairy cycle, milking for ten months of the year, breeding in the fall and kidding in early spring. Mid-December to mid-February is their "Sabbath" time when goats and farmers rest, rejuvenate and prepare for the next cycle. Each spring they sell more than 100 purebred baby goats for family herds. "Like a fine vintage wine from a small vineyard, all our cheeses have a special flavor with subtle qualities found only in local dairies. Goats for our milking herd are chosen based on the flavor and qualities their milk contributes to our cheese. We carefully provide the best nutrition through rotational grazing and a custom blend of fiber, grain by-products, pro-biotics and hay. This is the "secret" of our fine quality chevre (goat cheese). We make several styles of cheese including a fresh, spreadable Fromage (in nine flavors), hand-molded Logs, tangy raw milk feta, Smokey Mountain Round, Marinated Chevre, Chevre Camembert, Crottin, Sandy Creek (marbled with grape vine ash), raw milk Providence (an Italian Taleggio style washed rind cheese) Gray's Chapel (a raw milk, semi-hard washed rind aged cheese) and our national award winning Goat Lady Gouda (a raw milk, buttery aged cheese). At Holiday times we make Chocolate Goat Cheese Truffles. We continue to develop new styles.
Goat cheese can be used like any other cheese. It is delicious just as a slicing cheese to enjoy with fruit and wine or as a popular ingredient in many delicious recipes. You can spread it on crackers or bread, use it in salads, soups, pizzas or pasta or as a topping for fresh vegetables or baked potatoes. Goat cheese is a healthy alternative to many other cheeses because it is easier to digest and lower in fat and cholesterol."
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