GRANVILLE, Ohio – Maria Moss grew up in suburban Kettering, Ohio. She has degrees in  environmental health and environmental science. Never in her wildest dreams did Moss ever think she’d live on a small farm raising goats and chickens.

“I was never introduced to FFA or 4-H,” Moss said. “Growing up my mom always took me to Aullwood Educational Farm in Dayton, and I feel that’s when my love for agriculture started.”

Out of college, Moss worked part time at Gorman Heritage Farm in Cincinnati for five years before taking a part-time job with the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) in Columbus.

“Working with OEFFA helped switch my professional trajectory into more ag-related material,” she said. “I was living in Columbus, Ohio, at the time and badly wanted to buy a small farm. We found one that was in disrepair, but it was affordable and purchased the 6.5-acre farm in 2017, calling it Everyday Acres.”

She now has 30 goats and 30 chickens.

“I love horses, but had just 6.5 acres to work with. I turned to goats. I was looking for a rare breed. I figured I’d contribute to genetic diversity. A friend mentioned British Guernsey goats to me, I looked them up, and those are the ones I chose. The goats descended from the Golden Guernsey goats of the Channel Islands in the United Kingdom.”

According to Moss, the goats are considered “at risk” on the rare breeds watch list but can be bred using their purebred semen.

This rare goat breed was imported from England in the 1990s. The breed is originally from England. King Charles III bestowed the royal title on them earlier this summer, calling them “Royal Golden” Guernsey goats. Strict animal regulations in the U.S. no longer allow for Guernsey goats to be imported. However, semen can be imported to be used for breeding.

According to the Guernsey Goat Breeders of America (GGBOA), there are three different kinds of Guernsey goats: Purebred Golden Guernsey bucks, British Guernsey bucks and Herd Brook 2 bucks. Moss’ is British Guernseys.

“If you want a milk animal they’re easier to handle that cows, they take up less space and there’s not as much money wrapped up in goats,” Moss said.

British Guernsey goats are typically of golden color, in all shades, ranging from very pale cream to deep russet or bronze. Their ears are usually erect and set low, their noses are straight or dished, and their hair flows are short or long, and can look like a skirt or curtain. Moss said the goats produce good milk, are very friendly and are perfect for homesteading. 

“They’re really beautiful and they’re this medium size, so they fit the bill,” Moss said. “And there were some around that I could go get that weren’t across the country.”

The goats are primarily used for milk production. The milk has a high fat and protein content, ideal for making cheese and yogurt.

Moss is not selling raw milk from her farm, rather herd shares. In Ohio, it is illegal to sell or buy raw milk. However, owners or part owners of an animal or a herd can legally consume raw milk from their animals. A herd share allows individuals to purchase a percentage of the herd.

Moss used the nonprofit Family-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund, which connects producers who engage in direct marketing with attorneys to protect them from litigation, to write her herd share contract.

Everyday Acres serves 22 herd share members who constantly pick up raw milk. They pick up milk corresponding to whatever their share size is. A full share is a gallon a week, a half share is a half gallon. Moss also offers quarter shares. Shareowners decide what day to pick up their milk without assistance from Moss.

“You pick up your milk from the milk room, there’s a refrigerator in there so I don’t need to do anything,” she said. “A jar has their name on it, and they leave new clean jars for me to fill up for that week.”

The chickens are also contributing to her farm as well. Moss supplies City Folks Farm Store in Columbus with her eggs.

“The gratitude I feel for every day I am able to live and work in this beautiful place led me to name it Everyday Acres,” Moss said. “I am so grateful for the animals I am able to raise humanely and lovingly for my supportive community. I also support other small and local businesses by making my best effort to purchase feed and other goods locally.”

Moss talked about her business structure and welcomed visitors to her farm in Licking County on June 22 as part of OEFFA’s Sustainable Farm Tour and Workshop series.