Split Creek Farm
Website: www.splitcreek.com
This grower has a photo album.
Split Creek Farm is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains’ scenic foothills of South Carolina. The Grade A Dairy includes the milking and cheese operations. A retail gift shop featuring goat milk products and folk art is open to the public. We invite you to use the links at the upper right corner of this page to shop for our award winning farmstead goat cheeses, goat milk fudge, goat milk soap, gift baskets and folk art.
Split Creek Farm History
Split Creek Farm became a commercial Grade A goat dairy in 1985. A small-scale cheese operation started in 1988 in response to a growing demand for domestic goat cheeses and as a means to utilize seasonal excesses of milk. Production progressed from the original four-gallon vat batches to the current 150-gallon vat operation, which began in August of 1990.
The Goat Herd
Split Creek Farm’s certified goat herd produces all the milk used for its cheese and fudge. Every animal in the herd receives individual attention daily. The extra care they receive shows in the milk quality. The dairy goat herd, which is mostly Nubian, competes nationally in the show ring and for milk production records. Herd health and the ultimate quality of the dairy products are the primary concern of the owners.
Farm Facts
Split Creek’s goal includes being self-sufficient, so progress has been gradual. The farm started with three goats and a piece of land. The herd peaked at 750 goats, and fences, pastures and barns were built over the years. The goats and the cheeses are recognized nationally and have won numerous awards.
Currently the farm population averages about 350, with half of those being milked twice a day. The goats are full partners in the operation and every effort is made for them to be able to perform up to their genetic potential. The milkers are managed to encourage long lactations with most does milking at least three years. Hormones are never used to get the does bred or to produce more milk. Herbicides and pesticides are not used on the pastures in keeping with the commitment to produce an all natural product.
Good milk makes good products, and the farm’s artisan cheeses are made by hand with purity and freshness the goal.
The farm shop is open daily to sell the milk, cheese, and fudge by the farm. The unique folk art of Pat Bell is also available. Combining traditional techniques with her own creative style, she transforms worn items into art collectibles.
*Visitors are welcome at the farm. Mon – Sat 9:00 6:00 and Sun 2:00 – 5:00. The farm staff knows that survival of small farms is dependant on educating the public about rural life and the origin of their foods. Since this is a working farm and a great deal of time is spent daily with milking, feeding, and processing cheese, visitors to the shop are encouraged to schedule a tour for a better look at the farm and how it is operated.
The Folks at Split Creek
Evin J. Evans is utilizing her background in animal science and human nutrition in her present positions as farm manager and cheese-maker. As a licensed judge, she also travels to judge goat shows and does speaking engagements.
Patricia Bell, Folk Artist, has been painting for over 35 years and is an active member of the Society of Decorative Painters. She teaches art locally and gives seminars nationally.