WALDOBORO — Though Christelle and Jon Mckee own the Copper Tail Farm in Waldoboro, they are not conventional farmers.

In fact, the farm itself is not an average goat dairy farm. As their farm’s only employees, they are able to oversee all processes from start to finish and can ensure everything is run how they want it to be. 

The couple is heavily focused on ensuring the animals are treated with love and care. Copper Tail is an Animal Welfare Institute animal welfare approved farm, which Christelle called the foundation of the business. The farm is the state’s only animal welfare approved goat dairy, a fact of which the Mckees are proud. 

“We started a dairy because we love goats,” she said. “It wasn’t because we loved cheese, or selling at farmer’s markets, or any other reason. We just really love goats. That means their health and happiness are our priorities. Their health guides all decisions we make for our business.” 

Though resulting in less milk and more work for the couple, the Mckees opt to leave the baby goats with their mothers at birth since the babies love being with their mothers. 

“We will give goats a year or two off, if they’ve had a particular tough kidding or have a less than ideal body condition,” Christelle stated. “We also let our goats retire here. All of these things don’t make for the best financial decisions, but we believe they are best for the goats.” 

In ensuring everything is produced how they wish, Christelle noted in an interview that their goat milk soap only contains organic oils and scented with essential oils since the goal milk provides a multitude of skin benefits. 

“Goat milk is full of vitamins and minerals, and in particular Vitamin A helps restore damaged skin cells and promote healthy skin,” she said. “Goat milk is also very moisturizing, so it’s great for people who have dry or sensitive skin.”

Neither Christelle or Jon grew up in a farming family, although both did spend time as farm hands on a goat and cattle farm in Oregon before moving to the Midcoast in 2014 with a livestock trailer, eight goats, 28 chickens and a few dogs and cats. 

Originally from New York, Christelle desired to move back to the East Coast to be closer to family. Both she and Jon were drawn to Maine in part thanks to Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and Maine Farmland Trust, which are supportive of newbie farmers. 

“We love living by the ocean, we love having seasons again, and we love the ‘back to the land’ feel of the state,” Christelle said. 

The farm sells cajeta (a goat milk caramel sauce), goat milk soap, cheese and kefir (a fermented milk). 

The name derives, in part, from its early days of selling cajeta. 

“I make it in huge copper pots, so I wanted to have the word ‘copper’ in our logo somehow,” Christelle stated. “We played around with a few different ideas, and finally settled on Copper Tail. We thought it would make for a cute logo, and one of our bucks has a copper tail, so we knew it was the right name for us!” 

On the farm, Jon milks all 39 Nubian and Nigerian Dwarf goats by hand, while Christelle makes the products and both sell at farmer’s markets around the state or make deliveries for wholesale accounts. 

The farm’s products can be found at retail locations across the state. Locally, the farm’s products can be found in Rockport, Rockland, Vinalhaven and Waldoboro. 

“I think there is something really special about a true family run farm,” Christelle said. “Everything we make is in very small batches, and every tub of cheese, jar of yogurt or cajeta was made with great care and attention to detail.”  

The farm’s products, Christelle noted, do not have a goat flavor many associate with goat milk products. 

“We use all local and/or organic ingredients in our products,” she said. “We go the extra mile to produce high quality products. When herbs are in season, we use fresh organic herbs instead of dried. When strawberries are in season, we pick our own at an Organic U-Pick farm and use them for our yogurt. We don’t’ skimp on ingredients here on our farm.” 

The farm, Christelle said, is in the process of substantially growing and are currently expanding the barn to include an enclosed milking parlor, milk room and farm store. 

Last year, they were able to make Jon a full-time farm employee. In the near future, Christelle hopes to be able to dedicate all of time to the farm, instead of splitting her farm work with her duties as a teacher. 

At the end of the day, the Mckees plan to use the same work-hard mentality that has propelled them to where they are today. 

“We plan on accomplishing our goals with a lot of hard work, dedication, and support from our family and community,” Christelle said. 

Reach George Harvey at: sports@penbaypilot.com.