Starting a Licensed Dairy Goat Operation

Interested in producing and selling goat milk or dairy products?

Requirements for dairy farms, milk processing, product sales, and inspections vary by state. Contact your state’s dairy regulatory agency early—before purchasing equipment, constructing facilities, or beginning production.

  • Contact Your State
  • Connect with your state’s dairy or milk sanitation program to learn which licenses, permits, and inspections apply to your operation.
  • Discuss Your Plans
  • Tell the agency whether you plan to sell fluid milk, manufacture dairy products, ship milk to a processor or sell directly to consumers.
  • Review Requirements
  • Ask about facility design, water testing, equipment, milk handling, labeling, transportation and recordkeeping requirements.
  • Plan Before Building
  • Have the appropriate regulatory agency review your plans before investing in construction or equipment.

Find your State Dairy Contact

State requirements and agency contacts can change.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration maintains a current directory of state Grade “A” milk sanitation personnel and regulatory agencies.

View State Milk Safety Contacts on FDA.gov

Questions to Ask Your State Agency

  • What licenses or permits will I need?
  • Does my operation fall under Grade “A” or manufacturing-grade requirements?
  • Can goat milk or dairy products be sold directly to consumers?
  • What facility and equipment standards apply?
  • Is a plan review required before construction?
  • What water and milk testing will be required?
  • What labeling rules apply?
  • Are there additional county or local requirements?
  • Can products be sold or shipped across state lines?
  • Which records must the dairy maintain?
  • Are there current plants accepting milk contracts?

Important to Know

Requirements vary based on your location, products and intended market. Regulations may be different for:

  • Selling milk to a licensed processor
  • Bottling fluid milk
  • Producing cheese, yogurt or other dairy products
  • On-farm or direct-to-consumer sales
  • Raw milk sales
  • Interstate shipment

ADGA registration or membership does not license a dairy operation or replace federal, state or local regulatory requirements.

Additional Resources

Commerical Dairying

Information for Dairy Goat Producers

Dairy Goat Management

Herd Health, Nutrition & Management Resources

ADGA Membership

Learn about ADGA Programs and Member Benefits