From Pasture to Plate: The Udderly Delightful World of Dairy Goats and Goat Cheese at Circle M Farms- Southern Maids Dairy
Meet my new BFF — Laverne. You can now call me Shirley.
I need a goat. Or ten goats. Like, ASAP.
In fact, my new mission in life is to convince my husband to get on board with this idea… because it’s happening.
Why, you ask?
Goats are like the quirky, free-spirited friends of the livestock world. They'll climb on your car, yell at you when you're late with breakfast, and occasionally escape—just to remind you who's really in charge. But they also give you delicious, nutrient-rich milk and eternal bragging rights.
And. I. Need. One. Now.
I came to this life-changing revelation during my trip to Southern Maids Dairy for this week’s Feasting on Agriculture.
When I heard about a dairy farm in Franklinton, Louisiana, where goats are treated like royalty and cheese is practically a love language, I knew I had to visit. Southern Maids Dairy, nestled within Circle M Farms, is a place where the goats are named, the milk is fresh, and the cheesecakes are so good they might just make you bleat with joy.
From Anniversary Gift to Goat Empire
It all began in 2011, when Nathan Miller gifted his wife, Erin, three goats for their anniversary. Most people opt for jewelry or a romantic dinner, but Nathan thought, “Why not goats?” Fast forward to today—that thoughtful gift has multiplied into a herd of over 300 goats and Louisiana’s largest Grade A licensed goat dairy. Talk about a gift that keeps on giving!
Nathan’s anniversary gift was also one of necessity—a way to feed their newborn. He says that goat milk is an excellent alternative to human breast milk and offers several advantages over cow milk:
Digestibility: Smaller fat globules and lower lactose levels make it easier to digest.
Nutritional Value: Rich in calcium, potassium, and vitamin A.
Natural Homogenization: The fat molecules remain suspended, reducing the need for mechanical processing.
Each day, the Millers and their team milk about 40 to 50 gallons from their Nubian, Saanen, and Alpine goats. This liquid gold is transformed into an array of dairy delights: creamy chèvre, tangy feta, Creole cream cheese, probiotic-rich yogurt, and cheesecakes so luscious they could make a grown man cry. And the best part? The milk is so fresh, it barely has time to say "maa" before it's turned into something delicious.
Their commitment to quality and sustainability is evident in their products, which are available at the farm, local retailers in New Orleans, Hammond, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette, as well as at farmers markets in Baton Rouge.
Southern Maids Dairy's products have made their way into the kitchens of some of Louisiana's finest restaurants. From the Red Stick Farmers Market to the menus of City Group Hospitality’s eateries, their cheeses are stealing the spotlight. Whether it's whipped feta on Brussels sprouts or chèvre in a lobster dish, these goat goodies are truly the G.O.A.T.
Goats + Ice Cream = Heaven
With that in mind, I decided to incorporate some of the Millers’ fabulous goat milk products into my current obsession: homemade ice cream.
I created a recipe for key lime–flavored ice cream/frozen yogurt featuring goat dairy ingredients, and it is AMAZING. I also tried a few other flavors, which were equally delicious. If you want to try this at home, I included the recipes below!
My visit to Southern Maids Dairy was a delightful blend of laughter, learning, and a bit of lactose. If you ever find yourself in Franklinton, Louisiana, do yourself a favor and stop by. Just be prepared to fall head over hooves for these charming goats (like Laverne, who I instantly fell for) and their delectable dairy products.
For more information or to place an order, visit Circle M Farms & Southern Maids Dairy.
Key Lime Pie Frozen Yogurt
This Ninja Creami Key Lime Pie Frozen Yogurt recipe uses only 8 simple ingredients, and the results are thick, creamy, zesty from the lime and mixing in graham crackers adds the 'pie crust' flavor. Bonus that using greek yogurt also adds protein to this recipe!
Ingredients
1 c. Greek yogurt
1 tbsp creole cream cheese
1/3 c. granulated sugar
1 tbsp instant vanilla pudding mix
2 limes- juice and zest
1 c milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
2-3 Graham cracker sheet crumbles
Instructions:
Whisk together the yogurt, cream cheese, sugar, & pudding mix until you reach a smooth, creamy consistency
Add milk, vanilla, lime juice/zest, in the Ninja Creami pint.
Place the pint in the freezer and freeze for 24 hours so it is fully solid. I like to freeze with the lid off to reduce the ‘hump’ after freezing.
First Spin - Insert into the outer bowl, add the lid, and lock into position. Blend on ‘Lite Ice-Cream’.
Re-Spin - It will likely look crumbly after the first spin, add a splash of milk and press re-spin to spin one more time. It should be creamy after the second spin. If it’s not, give it a final spin.
Mix-Ins - Break the graham crackers into fourths and stick into the pint. Be sure to press some down all the way to the bottom so the crumbs are evenly distributed. Lock the lid and spin on the ‘mix-in’ setting.
Enjoy!