Eileen and the does

FARMERS' MARKET SCHEDULE!

Bonnie Blue Farm Featured in The Tennessee Magazine!

Aging Well - The Tennessee Magazine

Click on link above to see the great article and wonderful pictures in the July 2010 issue!

Resource for Local Food

Bonnie Blue Farm - Grade A Goat Dairy

In April of 2006 we became the only licensed Grade A goat dairy in Tennessee . We worked for two and a half years constructing and equipping the dairy building; milk parlor, milk room, holding pens, bathroom, and a herdsman's apartment. Then the cheese studio was built, equipped and completed. We were inspected by the Tennessee Dept. of Agriculture and cheesemaking began.

Our dairy herd consists of Nubian and Saanen dairy goats. We participate in American Dairy Goat Association programs for milk production through Dairy Herd Improvement and type via Linear Appraisal. The data from these programs guide us in making breeding choices and selection of replacement stock.

The does are fed free choice alfalfa hay from a local grower. They receive a dairy goat grain ration in the milking parlor and we go for daily walks through the surrounding fields and woods. This gives the goats and the herdsman ample exercise and time to observe the changing scenery and browse which coincides with the seasons. The milk produced is truly the essence of our land.

The milk from the dairy herd is made into various types of fresh and aged cheeses. We offer farm tours for a fee and there is a log cabin available for guests who want a quiet getaway or to experience life on a working dairy.

Nubian Bucks

We have three Nubian bucks which bring together genetics from several blood lines: Copper Hill, Oak Gold, Misty Knoll's and Kastdemur's with a sprinkling of others contributing. Plus we have many more to choose from through the use of artificial insemination. Nubians are known for high butterfat and combining that with the high producing genetics from sons or sires of Top Ten does will hopefully produce a long lived, superior dairy goat.

Saanen Bucks

Our Saanen bucks come from American stock.  We use as much artificial insemination as possible using Saanen bloodlines chosen because of their use in two well-known herds: Redwood Hill/Companeros and des Ruhigestelle.

Nubian Does

Our herd was exclusively Nubians in the beginning and we have used many lines over the years. Consistency of well attached udders and long lactations are a challenge in the Nubian breed. We have daughters of outstanding bucks like Warpaint Acres Superbuck, Kastdemur's Crown Sinsation (Crown Ambassador son), B.E.S.T. Star Spangled Banner, Reghers Alginon's Beaujolais (Breakaway half brother), Copper Hill Breakawy's Blazer and Copper Hill Woodwind (Winter Frost son). 

Saanen Does

In 1999 we purchased our first Saanen from Redwood Hill and although Lightning is no longer with us all but one of the many female progeny from her three daughters are still here. We didn't have a Saanen buck so artificial insemination was how we bred Lightning. Using bucks to increase the butterfat and protein without giving up the high production the Saanen breed is known for, has been our goal. We have tried to recreate some of the genetics of Redwood Hill, whom we admire.

Goat Milk Cheese for Sale

Our agri-tourism and cheese business have been very well received. Many printed articles, feature films, radio and TV segments about us have introduced our cheese to many customers. We've entered many cheese competitions placing well with several different cheeses. Some of the best exposure has been at the farmers' markets. The movement of buying locally produced, safe, natural and healthy food makes our cheese in high demand. We sell at the Memphis Farmers' Market and Chattanooga Market. Our cheese is available at several Nashville stores or on the farm but call first (931) 722-GOAT (4628) to be sure we have what you want.

Follow this link for more information on where to buy our goat cheese.