Milkshare Contract

As a valued member of Vivienne’s Mt. Helix Milkshare, you are agreeing to follow these policies. These rules ensure that our micro-farm can continue to run smoothly, safely, and fairly for all members.

Your commitment

Farm Access

• I will honor milk pick up hours which are:

  • T & Th 5 pm to 8 pm

  • M, W, F, Sat, Sun, 8 am to 8 pm

• COW INTERACTION

  • I may say hello to the cows by the front hedge only. The cows may come greet me but if they are sleeping or resting/chewing their cud, I will let them rest.

  • I will never stick my hand through the fence. If the cow tosses her head it could break my arm. I may pet a cow OVER the fence at my own risk.

  • I will NOT FEED THE COWS.

    • I will not pick up ANYTHING off the ground or leaves off trees to feed them.

    • I understand that many plants are poisonous and just one bite of some plants, such as oleander, can kill a 1200-pound cow. I understand that what the cow eats affects not only her health but the taste of her milk.

    • I will also watch my children carefully so they don’t pick things up off the ground and feed the cow.

• I will go straight to the milk fridge.

  • I will not wander around the property. Any farm tours must be done with the property owner for safety and privacy.

  • I will not allow my children to roam unsupervised (that includes but is not limited to walking through yard/garden/on swings/climbing trees/picking fruit/leaves)

• I will not fiddle with gates, water, feed, doors, bins etc.

Milk Pick-Up & Jar Return

• I will pick up my milk on my scheduled pick-up day. After 36-hours, my milk will be forfeited (start time is 8 a.m. on my milk pick-up day.)

• Example: If my pick-up day is Monday, milk still in the fridge by Tuesday 8 pm will be forfeited.

• I will return jars on the same day I pick up milk.

• I will return jars & lids clean and dry. I understand that repeated failure to do so may result in my removal from the milkshare.

Clean Jars and Lids

• I will hand wash my jar. Using a dishwasher AFTER handwashing is fine. But jars must be handwashed to get the sticky cream off.

• Plastic lids or one-piece stainless steel lids:

  • I will remove the gasket and wash it before washing the lid.

  • I will place clean gasket in the clean jar.

NEW: Payments, Cancellations, & Late Fees Clean Jars and Lids

• I agree to pay my monthly invoice by the 1st of each month.

  • Lisa & Vivienne will invoice me at the end of the previous month to tell me how many pick-ups there are in the coming month for my day.

  • Example: there might be 4 Tuesday pick-ups but 5 Wednesday pick-ups.

• I understand that any invoice unpaid after the 5th will incur a $10 late fee

• I will pay for all add-on items, such as an additional jar of milk, before leaving the property. There are envelopes by the milk fridge for cash payments.

• I understand that all cancellations require a 30-day notice so that my spot in the milkshare can be filled

NEW: I understand that there are no vacation pauses.

• I understand that the cows need to be fed, milked, groomed, corrals mucked, even when I am on a beach in Hawaii or at a conference for work in New York.

• If I can’t get my milk, I may invite a friend to pick up my milk or may text the folks on my milk pick-up day to see if anyone wants my jar(s) that day and perhaps when that individual in on vacation I can take their jar. Or I can let Lisa/Vivienne know that I simply won’t get milk that week, with the understanding that I will not be credited for milk not retrieved.

Milk transport temperature impacts longevity & taste

• I will transport my milk in a cooler or insulated bag with ice /ice packs to protect its quality.

• I understand that even slight temperature increases cause milk to sour faster.

Raw Milk Risk

I acknowledge that I am aware of the California Department of Public Health Warning: “WARNING: Raw (unpasteurized) milk and raw milk dairy products may contain disease-causing microorganisms. Persons at highest risk of disease from these organisms include newborns and infants; the elderly; pregnant women; those taking corticosteroids, antibiotics or antacids; and those having chronic illnesses or other conditions that weaken their immunity.”

I knowingly waive my right to sue or seek damages in any form from Lisa Clark-Burnell, Kelly Burnell, or their heirs for any harm or perceived harm in connection with raw milk, the cattle I encounter when on their property, or conditions on their property. I have read and signed the waiver/liability release form below.

Our commitment to you. As your micro-farmers, we agree to provide you with raw milk from happy A2/A2 cows that have been machine milked and pampered.

• Our cows are triple cleaned prior to milking: udder dry-brushed, individual teats dipped in anti-bacterial teat dip, then a few squirts of milk expressed, then cleaned again with dairy-wipes.

• Our stainless-steel milk machine is rinsed, washed with industry-standard dairy cleanser, and sanitized after every milking.

• The milk is filtered then bottled immediately in glass jars. Our glass jars and lids are washed a second time (after you return them).

• Glass jars are plunged in a near or below freezing solution to chill the milk to below 40 degrees Fahrenheit within 2 hours.

• Milk is whole - no cream is skimmed. You get all the cream the cow gives. The amount of cream she gives varies depending upon whether or not her calf is weaned and the individual cow.

• Our cows have proper veterinary care and careful attention paid to their health and dietary needs. Our cows get to keep their calf by them (if they are able and willing to mother it) until it is weaned at 4 to 7 months old. This is called calf-sharing. We think it makes for happier mama cows and healthier, well-adjusted babies.

Milkshare Contract and Release from Liability

To participate in our milkshare, read and sign the liability waiver and hold harmless agreement below,