Today we’d like to introduce you to Gary and Evelyn Young.
Three family members passionate about producing natural, handcrafted cheese own the Dapper Goat Dairy. The family capitalized on their divergent backgrounds to form the perfect team to manage the diary. Kelly Allen has been farming and ranching for more than 20 years. He currently owns KS Farms, LLC and is one of the principals at the Dapper Goat Dairy.
Evelyn Young is Kelly’s daughter. She brings many years of sales experience to the company as well as a passion for cooking and healthy food. Her husband, Gary Young grew up on a small farm in East Texas and worked on his grandfather’s 800-arce ranch for many years before graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University and serving in the U.S. Army. He recently retired after 26 years from a career in law enforcement.
All have studied goat husbandry and cheese making at Langston University, the world-renowned goat research institution. Kelly and Gary have also been schooled in the upkeep and maintenance of farm and herd animals. The trio purchased land in south Texas based on its pristine, semi-wooded pastures perfectly suited to sustain their Saanen and LaMancha goats in a natural habitat. When the goats aren’t free grazing, they live in a modern goat barn. The owners also built a 2,500 square foot, state-of-the art dairy on the property to manage all aspects of cheese and soap production at the Dapper Goat from milking to finished products. The dairy is licensed Grade A by the State of Texas and began producing cheese in 2017.
Currently, the Dapper Goat Dairy produces a silky chevre, cheese as well as all-natural goat milk soaps. You will find these products for sale at the Dapper Goat Dairy as well as farmer’s market in southern Texas and specialty grocery stores.
Has it been a smooth road?
As a business owner, there are always daily struggles. Some of our struggles have been in husbandry, the correct spices for the flavors of cheese that we make, when to expand our herd, taking in more land for the herd expansion, buying equipment and learning something new every day. Every day we are in business, we learn something new.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
All of our cheeses are made fresh daily using the finest ingredients. We start with sweet milk from our beautiful goats, use only natural vegetable rennet in the cheese making process and add a variety of interesting flavors derived from fresh, quality ingredients. All of our cheeses are available in eight-ounce, one pound, two pound and ten pound containers. Our flavors are made with our own Grade A pasteurized goat milk, salt, cheese culture and vegetable rennet.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Houston is vibrant city. Historically, it has been known as an oil town. Today though, Houston is a technology center, medical center and an aerospace center.
Our business would not be practical in Houston due to our need for land.
Contact Info:
- Address: Gary and Evelyn Young
8822 E. State Highway 97
Waelder, TX. 78959 - Website: www.dappergoatdairy.com
- Phone: 713-515-0333
- Email: dappergoat@dappergoatdairy.com
- Instagram: dappergoatdairy
- Facebook: Dapper Goat Dairy
Image Credit:
Gisele Parra giseleparraphotography (picture of Evelyn and I and me petting the goat)
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