Arbor-Vale Dairy Goats

Hello! In short, we're just a couple people who love goats! ..but if you want the long version- we're a hobby farm located in Wooster, Ohio. Our specialty is offering nutrition consultation services to other goat owners but we also offer Herdshares for those interested in incorporating goat milk and goat milk products into their lives- we are most excited to announce that we are working towards obtaining our creamery license! You can read more about our services and how we got started below but first, join our email list to follow all the fun there is in owning goats!Whether you're a current client, a future client, or you just simply love goats like us, you are sure to enjoy a goat email every now and again! Jacob completed his Masters in Animal Science Nutrition at OSU's OARDC in 2019. He continued his work under his professor assisting in ruminant nutrition projects before accepting a management role at the University’s Krauss Dairy Operations Facility working with faculty, staff, students and their 200+ dairy cows. After 4 years Jacob decided to branch out as a private nutritionist, directing his energies more in-line with his passions. He continues to work for the University, developing and analyzing diets for their farm units and assisting with Feed Mill Operations. In 2025 Jacob partnered with theNDS Americasteam, providing technical support and training to the NDS Professional software, a ration balancing program used by field nutritionists to help manage feeding and feed inventory on ruminant farms. Created in Italy by R. U. M.&N., NDS Professional is used worldwide with many users in North and South America. While Jacob’s daily interactions in the farming industry centers primarily around dairy cows, goats are where Jacob's heart lies. Born in California Jacob made his way to Ohio in 2012 after spending 12 years in Alaska. What he says he loves most about Ohio is the seasons. 'In Alaska, all we had were pines and spruces.. The scenery is beautiful, but watching flowers bloom in the spring and the trees transition in the fall is something unique to this area.' As for Alaska Jacob misses the mountains, the forests, the rivers & lakes, the wildlife, and the northern lights to name a few. 'There's just something about Alaska. It's hard to explain but you just feel different when you're there.'Jacob enjoys spending time with his family, Whippets, and mastering the art of chess.. His daughter, Edith, is his heart & soul and she can often be found helping daddy with the farm-life chores. His motto in life is, 'Remember What Matters Most.' Jacob Copelin pictured with goats in 1994 at age 11.'I was hiking in Montana way out in the mountains with my grandpa.  We ran into an old timer with these goats.'..and there began Jacob's love for goats.  The rest is history! Construction to the Arbor-Vale Facility In 2020 Jacob and his wife, Jen, made some conversions to their barn to house the goats.  The barn was originally built for a motorhome so the height of the building was perfect for adequate airflow.  Installation of barn windows and a door to the pasture were the first projects.  Next came the gates and industrial rubber mats to protect the floors..lay down some bedding and it was time to move in the goats!A water line to the barn was eventually installed and our milking parlor was completed in the summer of 2023. While there's approximately 200 different breeds of domestic goats, there are only 8 major breeds that produce milk and we own two of them- Saanens and Alpines.  Both considered to be medium-to-large in size, the females average about 130 lbs at adulthood.  Their milk production can range anywhere from 1-3 gallons per day, but of course lots of factors can influence this to include age, health, environment, & diet.  Their average lifespan is about 15 years old. ...and now, Ladies & Gentlemen, without further ado, we present to you... As part of the original trio to the farm, Peanut has been chosen to be