Griffin Farmstead Produces Locally Made Goat Cheese

When Becky and Allen Griffin inherited land from Allen's family, they weren't exactly sure what they would use it for.  Since Howard Griffin's death in 1992, the land sat unused for many years.

Becky Griffin, a former veterinary technician, had been raising some goats as a hobby when she and Alan decided they would open a goat dairy.  In 2007, The Griffin Farmstead Goat Dairy began producing locally raised goat milk, cheese, soaps, and yogurt.

The Griffin Farmstead is one of just four licensed goat dairies in the state.  

"We did get a grant from the state," Griffin said. "The state definitely played a part in this with the grant money."

Griffin Farmstead raises Nubian, Saanen and Alpine goats.  Depending on the time of year, the farm will have as many as 30 goats producing milk on a daily basis.  If the goats need care or get sick, they are taken out of production and given treatment. 

"The girls come first - first and foremost," Griffin said.  "If they need care and they need attention and I don't get to make cheese and I have to dump all that milk, well guess what - I'm dumping the milk, because these animals come first."

Griffin said that animals do get treated from time to time with antibiotics.  If that's the case, that animal is taken out of milk production to prevent the milk from containing those antibiotics.

The local goat dairy sells its products at farm markets, stores, restaurants, and a self-serve market stand across from the farm on Copper Hill Road.

The Griffins keep plenty busy with their goat dairy, however, recently they've added the Bushy Hill Orchard in Granby and Goodyear Farms, a flower and plant business in Suffield. 

Becky Griffin also likes to help out other local farmers by carrying their products and, sometimes, sharing a farm.  The Griffin Farmstead shares its land and equipment with the Butterfield Farm Company, another local goat dairy producer.  
"I really like supporting other farms and keeping it local," Griffin said.  "We've got really good quality products right here in the state and you just have to find them."

Here are some other local spots where you might find similar products:

• Mountain Spring Farm, Granby
• Sweet Pea Farm, Granby
• The Butterfield Farm Company, East Granby

If you know of something we've missed, email jeff.brush@patch.com.