Who is Arbor-Vale?
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 offering consultation in nutrition and farm management as well as offering herdshares for those interested in incorporating goat milk and goat milk products into their lives but that wasn’t the original plan.
Let me start from the beginning:
Our Story
♦ Super smart science boy meets business-world girl.
♦ Boy has a dream to milk goats, make cheese and open a creamery.
♦ Girl knows nothing about farming.
♥ Boy and girl get married and pursue boy’s dream.
That's us in a nutshell!
How we got started
Construction to the Arbor-Vale Facility
In 2020 we made some conversions to the 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, then.. lay down some bedding and it was time to move in the goats! Eventually a water line to the barn was installed and permanent fencing to secure the pasture.
Sometimes plans change
Working towards the creamery dream, the first step was to become a Grade-B dairy in Ohio, which is a dairy farm license to produce milk intended for manufactured dairy products such as cheese and butter. We invited an inspector out to give us guidance on facility requirements and started the process to build our parlor and milkhouse. In the interim we decided to offer herdshares, a contractual agreement where consumers buy into a herd for partial ownership to receive raw milk in return. By the time our construction was finished in 2023 we found ourselves completely immersed in herdsharing. People not just looking for raw milk to aid in their quest for healthy living, but also people looking to support local, small-scale farms over big grocery chains. They were grateful for us and we were grateful for them. We quickly realized the reward that came along with herdsharing and decided to stay the path. In 2026 we began offering pasteurization.. afterall, raw milk isn't for everyone! So while the creamery dream has been placed on the back burner, one thing remains- we love goats and we love being a resource in the community!
Our founder, Jacob Copelin
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 the NDS Americas team, 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!
Google Reviews
Laura
I have been working with Jacob and Jen for serveral years now and I only have positive things to say!! They have continually improved their herd and facilities and do a great job providing delicious, fresh milk to their goat herd share members!! Thank you so much Jacob and Jen for your wonderful service!! I will definately miss you, your goats, and the excellent milk and cheese that you provide!!
Shelly
Jacob offers great service with his herd share and has the yummiest goat milk and cheeses! Jacob is professional and is accommodating. We enjoy doing business with Jacob!
Chelsea
First and foremost, this family is absolutely wonderful. Jacob is incredibly knowledgeable about the goats and their care. Jen is extremely organized and helpful. I couldn't recommend them more! Wonderful experience, great farm, and incredible people.
Maria
We have had the highest quality milk (and samples of cheese and kefir) from Arbor Vale. You can see and taste the pride that Jacob and Jennifer put into their products. They are extremely responsive in communicating with their herdshare members, and transparent with their practices. Thank you Jacob and Jennifer for providing our family with nutritious and high-quality goat milk!
Amy
Great experience doing a herd share with Arbor-Vale. Great to work with and so friendly and kind.
Meet the Goats
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...
Peanut
Milker, Saanen
As part of the original trio to the farm, Peanut has been chosen to be our lifer. While many goats will come and go over the years Peanut will remain our Queen. She is a sweet goat but doesn't like to share in attention from her humans. If another member of the herd is getting too much love she is quick to nudge them out of the way. We lost Peanut's 1st baby, Petunia, last summer to heat stroke but we are happy to say that this year she had 2 healthy and strong kids. We just love our little Peanut!
Marley-Goat
Milker, Alpine
Marley-Goat first arrived at the farm with her sister in the summer of '21. Both were unnamed upon arrival so we named them after our cats, Marley & Maddie. Maddie-Goat has since found a new home but Marley-Goat will stay with the farm for a bit longer, even though she can be a little crazy at times!
Daphne, aka Lil 'Nibs
Milker, Saanen
Daphne gets her nickname after her mom, Nibbles, because they both have what seems to be an involuntary habit of nibbling! Daphne has a unique characteristic as one of her horns curls around her ear from faulty cauterization. Don't worry- it doesn't hurt her!
Magnolia
Milker, Alpine
Magnolia LOVES human companionship. You won't visit the farm without getting attention from this one.
Rosie
Milker, Alpine
Rosie is our only all-black goat, which is really interesting considering her mom, Marley-Goat, was named after our all-black cat. What a coincidence!
Daisy
Milker, Saanen
Daughter of original trio member Nelly, Daisy is Peanut's full sister from another herd as they also share the same father, Ethan. Daisy will be with us for the foreseeable future!
Teddy & Waddles
Milker & Dry-Yearling, Saanens
Meet Teddy & Waddles, new to the farm May of 2023. After a visit with one of Jacob's mentors in the farming world, he was supposed to only come home with one goat but in true goat-person fashion, he came home with two!
Lotte
Milker, Alpine
Lotte, or La-di-da, arrived in late summer 2023. She's big, she's sweet, she's a go-with-the-flow goat!
Retired Milkers
As the years go by, goats will come and go but never be forgotten at Arbor-Vale Farm.