PMA's Vs Herdshares

A herdshare provides access to raw dairy by giving you ownership in a portion of a cow, while a Private Membership Association (PMA) is a private, unincorporated association of members who purchase goods from the association, including raw milk products. Herdshares involve purchasing a piece of livestock, whereas PMAs function more like a private buying club, with farmers not selling to the general public but rather to their closed membership. The choice between them often depends on state laws, the level of commitment desired by the consumer, and the specific offerings of the farmer.  

If you do not know what a PMA is (Private Membership Association), we highly recommend going to the Understanding a PMA Page.

We farmed in Virginia, who legally allowed herd-shares by not banning them. Bottom line; the state simply chose not to allow or deny herd-shares. For us that translated into: they could change the laws on herd-shares at any moment if they chose too. 

When we started our micro-dairy we paid Farm-to-consumer-legal defense-fund to type up our herd-share agreements. They are a great resource for anyone looking to offer raw mil herd-shares from their farms. We kept our membership with them year after year, even when we swapped to becoming a PMA. This was all before we learned about PMA's and the beauty and freedom of a PMA. 

We as farmers, believed we had more protections by operating a Faith Based Trust Organization offering PMA's vs herd-shares.  Allowing us to offer more than just milk products to our Private Members. 

We truly believe herd-shares are great, for those only looking to offer raw milk from their herds.  A herd-share and a PMA, can both be used for raw milk, what we liked was we had the freedom to offer more than just milk.

Herd-shares have herd members and PMA's have private members. 

You can absolutely offer both (if herdshares are allowed in your state), some Farms offer herdshares under their PMA. Which way to go will depend on which state you're in.

If you are still confused, look up your State laws on raw milk and herdshares, by clicking link below.