Frederic Melton
Poplar Hill Dairy Goat Farm is Minnesota's oldest Grade A dairy goat farm, located in Scandia, Minnesota. The farm has been producing fresh goat milk since 1972 and offers a variety of products, including goat cheese, milk, and goat milk soap. The farm is also open for guided tours, where visitors can interact with the goats, learn about dairy goat farming, and sample the milk and cheese. Poplar Hill's products are sold in local stores, on the farm, and online through platforms like Instacart, which offers delivery and pickup services.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Scandia, Minnesota |
| Founders | Vincent and Christine Maefsky |
| Year founded | 1972 |
| Products | Goat cheese, goat milk, goat milk soap, dairy goats |
| Other services | Guided farm tours |
| Where to buy | Local stores, on the farm, and online |
| Where to find in stores | The Wedge, Instacart |
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What You'll Learn
Poplar Hill Farm's history
Poplar Hill Farms is a dairy goat farm located in Scandia, Minnesota, about an hour north of St. Paul. It is Minnesota's oldest Grade A dairy goat farm and has been producing fresh goat milk since 1972. The farm is owned and operated by Vincent and Christine Maefsky, who settled in the area in the 1970s, following the "back to the land" movement that was popular among their peers at the time. Vince and Christine grew up in Brooklyn, New York, in the 1940s, but they were drawn to the green, rolling hills of Scandia, where they named their new farm after a ridge on the property lined with trembling, silver-leafed poplar trees.
In the early days, Vince and Christine sold raw milk to their neighbors and sold off some of the kids each spring. However, by 1975, they had to decide between expanding their operations or cutting back. Vince approached the North Branch Creamery and asked if they would pasteurize their goat milk. He then went door-to-door at various Twin Cities co-ops and health food stores to sell his goat milk, a rarity then and still a rarity now.
Today, Poplar Hill Farms has expanded to a herd of 700 goats and 10 employees. The farm offers a variety of products, including plain and herbed chevres, goat cheese, fresh goat milk, and goat milk soap. The products are sold locally, on the farm, and online. The farm also offers guided tours, which have become a popular attraction for families and groups of all ages. Visitors can interact with the goats, learn about dairy goat farming, and sample the milk and cheese.
The Maefskys' daughter, Sarah Johnson, has since joined the family business and delivers weekly shipments of plain and herbed chevres to the Wedge, a local co-op, where they can be found in the artisanal cheese case. Sarah is proud of her parents and the unique niche that their farm fills in the local food system, and she is happy to be back on the land she was raised on.
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Goat cheese and milk products
Poplar Hill Dairy Goat Farm is Minnesota's oldest Grade A dairy goat farm. It has been producing fresh goat milk since 1972. The farm is located in Scandia, Minnesota, and is owned and run by Vincent and Christine Maefsky, who moved to the area from Brooklyn, New York, in the 1960s. The farm offers a range of goat cheese and milk products, including fresh goat milk, goat milk soap, and plain and herbed chevres. The farm also offers guided tours, during which visitors can interact with the goats, observe the milking process, and taste the farm's milk and cheese products.
Poplar Hill's products are available for purchase in several ways. The farm sells its products on-site, and they can also be purchased online through the farm's website or via delivery services such as Instacart. Additionally, the farm's products are sold in local stores, including the Wedge, a cooperative in the Twin Cities that was one of the farm's first contracts.
The Maefskys' daughter, Sarah Johnson, delivers plain and herbed chevres to the Wedge weekly, and these can be found in the artisanal cheese case. The Wedge also stocks Poplar Hill milk every day, also found in the dairy and artisanal cheese cases.
Poplar Hill's goat cheese and milk products have received positive reviews, with visitors to the farm praising the taste of the milk and cheese, as well as the quality of the farm's goat soap. The farm itself has also been described as a beautiful and entertaining place to visit, with friendly staff and a welcoming atmosphere.
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Farm tours and tastings
Poplar Hill Dairy Goat Farm, Minnesota's oldest Grade A dairy goat farm, offers guided farm tours and tastings. The farm is located in Scandia, 45 minutes east of the Twin Cities and just an hour north of St Paul. It is a sustainable food spot, with rich soils that produce nutrient-rich and tasty food.
The farm has been producing fresh goat milk since 1972 and is the only Grade-A dairy in the state that sells it. The farm also produces a wide variety of goat cheeses, including plain and herbed chevres, and goat milk soap. The owners, Vincent and Christine Maefsky, are proud to fill a unique niche in the local food system.
The guided farm tours are popular and offer an educational experience, especially for children. Visitors can interact with the goats, feeding and milking them, and learn about dairy goat farming and the products made from goat milk. The friendly and knowledgeable tour guides answer any questions visitors may have. The tour also includes the opportunity to taste the farm's products, including milk and cheese.
You can book a tour by calling the farm or visiting their website. The farm charges a nominal fee for the tour due to the time required away from farming.
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Buying online or in-store
Poplar Hill Dairy Goat Farm is Minnesota's oldest Grade A dairy goat farm. It has been producing fresh goat milk since 1972. The farm is located in Scandia, Minnesota, and is owned and operated by Vincent and Christine Maefsky. The farm offers a variety of products, including goat cheese, fresh goat milk, goat milk soap, and dairy goats for sale. You can buy their products in-store, on the farm, or online.
Buying In-Store
You can find Poplar Hill goat cheese and milk at local stores in Minnesota, such as the Wedge, a co-op in the Twin Cities. The Wedge has been carrying Poplar Hill products since the early days of the farm, and you can find their plain and herbed chevres in the artisanal cheese case.
Buying Online
If you are not located in Minnesota, you can also buy Poplar Hill goat cheese online through Instacart. They offer delivery or pickup options for their 6 oz packages of Poplar Hill Plain Montrachet goat cheese. Delivery fees start at $3.99 for same-day orders over $35, and there may be additional service fees depending on your location and the contents of your cart. Instacart also offers an optional Instacart+ membership, which provides $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for orders over $35.
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The Maefsky family
The Maefskys' journey began in the 1960s when they joined the "back to the land" movement. They started with 20 goats, selling raw milk to neighbours and local co-ops. However, they soon faced a challenge: feed was expensive. This led Vince to approach the North Branch Creamery, asking them to pasteurize their goat milk. With persistence and hard work, the Maefskys expanded their operations, and today, their herd has grown to 700 goats, with a dedicated team of 10 employees.
Poplar Hill Dairy Goat Farm has something for everyone. Visitors can interact with goats of all ages, from newborn triplets to playful kids, and even bottle-feed some of them. The farm offers a glimpse into the hard work and dedication of dairy goat farming, and visitors can learn about the entire process, from milking to the final products. The Maefskys' passion for their craft is evident, and their story, from Brooklyn to the rolling hills of Scandia, serves as an inspiration to those seeking a connection to the land.
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Frequently asked questions
Poplar Hill goat cheese is available for delivery or pickup through Instacart. You can also purchase it directly from the farm in Scandia, Minnesota, or at local stores.
Delivery fees start at $3.99 for same-day orders over $35.
Yes, you can take a guided tour of the Poplar Hill Dairy Goat Farm in Scandia, Minnesota. The farm offers tasting tours where you can sample their goat cheese and milk.
You can call the farm to arrange a visit.
