Want to see just what it takes to raise dairy goats in paradise? Just book a tour at Kauai Kunana Dairy Farm in North Shore Kauai. You’ll get to see all the work that goes into caring for their goats, collecting their milk, and making dairy products. On top of that, you can sample their tasty food and drinks, buy souvenirs at the gift shop, and learn about their foray into beekeeping as well.
A Wooten family production, this family-owned and operated farm got its humble start way back in 1979. Bob and Louisa Wooten used their farming backgrounds to create their very own farm and then welcomed their sons, Ryan and Troy, into the family business. In 1991, they moved their farm to their very own property in North Shore Kauai and then got to work on perfecting its layout.
They started by planting fruit orchards, vegetable patches, and tropical plants all over. Then, they created space for dairy goats, beehives, and many other creatures to join the farm. Since that time, their herd of goats has grown from 30 to over 80 – and it’s still growing. They also have 20 beehives, over eight acres of produce growing, and a full farm kitchen operating day in and day out.
Despite their full farm lives, they still continue to do things the old-fashioned way, starting with the care of their goats. They rotate their goats in the pastures to keep them full on the natural bounty of the island. Then, they milk them twice a day while rewarding them all with oats, grains, and other delicious treats. Using their milk, they make small batches of artisan cheese, soap, and so much more.
After caring for the goats, they give all their other endeavors just as much attention, ensuring they create top-of-the-line products always. As they create all their popular products, they sell them by local delivery, through their subscription service, and at local farmer’s markets. They also happily let all their tour guests shop their items after checking out their life on the farm.
If you can manage to swing by for the farm tour, it’s well worth the time. You’ll get to hold baby goats, chicks, and other beautiful creatures to start. Then, you’ll go feed the older goats grains and other tasty snacks while learning about how they’re milked each day. After that, you’ll get to see how they process the milk, make cheese, and produce many other items.
In the end, they’ll roll out the goat cheese samples, so you can experience the magic for yourself. Depending on what’s available at that time, you must get to try the Marinated Herb Chevre, Sun-Dried Tomato Chevre, and Lilikoi Goat Cheese. Take the time to really savor the rich cheese on your tongue to enjoy the complex flavors in every bite. Note which ones you like the most, too, so you can buy a bit extra from their gift shop before heading out.
Don’t have time to make it to the farm? Do the next best thing and look for their products at North Shore farmer’s markets. They often set up vendor booths on-site to sell their honey, goat milk and cheese, and other fan favorites from their farm. If you give them a call before the farmer’s market starts, you can even put in a request for items that don’t always make it to the market.
Insider Tips:
-You can shop for their most popular items online through their website. They happily ship their products all over the US.
-Look carefully for the small sign for the farm entrance. It’s quite easy to miss if you’re not looking for it.
-Grab extra drinks and snacks before you hit the road, so you can continue to enjoy all their handcrafted goods while exploring the island.