A Leap Of Faith And A Lot of Goats

THE SUMMERHILL DAIRY STORY

Words by Lifestyle Staff

In the heart of California’s Central Valley, tucked between orchards and open skies, you’ll find Summerhill Goat Dairy, a family-run farm built on a wild idea, a whole lot of grit, and a growing love for goats.

It all started in 1999, when Johnnie de Jong came home with an unexpected plan. He had found a small goat dairy for sale in Chino and was ready to buy it. His wife, Anneke, was surprised. “We don’t know anything about goats,” she remembers saying. But Johnnie had already made up his mind. “I didn’t have a plan. I just thought it looked like fun,” he says. “We had the savings, and I figured we’d figure it out.” With no experience and a newborn at home, they bought the goats and equipment, and suddenly, they were in the goat milk business.

What began as a hobby quickly turned serious. Their very first customer was Trader Joe’s, which was rapidly expanding with new stores each year. As Trader Joe’s grew, so did Summerhill, and before long, it was clear they had something special. By 2010, they moved their herd and their dreams to a new facility in Hanford. What had started with 168 goats in Southern California has now grown to over 3,000.

Summerhill Goat Dairy is a collaborative family business that is growing every day. Anneke is the hub of all things customer service, sales, and trade shows. Johnnie focuses on the goats and operations, with a talent for hiring the right people and letting them lead. “I like finding good people, giving them the tools they need,” he says. Their son Levi has stepped in to take on more of the hands-on care, feeding, and breeding of goats, and learning the business from the ground up.

Though neither Anneke nor Johnnie had a background in goats, both were raised on dairies. Anneke’s family emigrated from the Netherlands and started a dairy in Dinuba. Johnnie grew up on a Southern California cow dairy. “At the beginning, I didn’t have a clue what I was doing,” Johnnie admits. “But we asked questions, found the right people, and just kept at it.”

And they did. Today, Summerhill produces one thing: whole goat milk. And they do it well. Their milk is sold in Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, and natural food stores across the country, reaching customers from California to Florida. “People are always surprised to learn that goat milk is actually the most consumed milk in the world,” Anneke says.

At Summerhill, everything is done in-house, from raising baby goats to bottling the milk. The dairy is Certified Humane, a reflection of practices they have followed from the start. The goats have space to roam, clean environments, and a low-stress routine. Their herd includes a mix of Alpine, Nubian, Saanen, LaMancha, and Toggenburg breeds, all raised on a high-quality, non-GMO, vegetarian diet of alfalfa and grain.

The goats are gentle, curious, and full of personality. “They thrive in heat, hate getting wet, and they’re incredibly smart,” Anneke says. “They’re just happy animals.”

This dairy is my proudest accomplishment.

Looking back, Anneke and Johnnie are proud of how far they’ve come. “We can walk into a store in Maryland and see our milk on the shelf,” Anneke says. “That still amazes me.” Johnnie agrees. “This dairy is my proudest accomplishment,” he says. “We built this place ourselves. Every piece of equipment in that plant, I put in with my own hands. It’s clean, it works, and we’ve got a team here that’s been with us for decades. That means everything.”

Summerhill is still growing. There are new barns in the works, including a space just for baby goats. The de Jongs are committed to staying grounded and focusing on family, integrity, and the goats that started it all—no matter how large the operation becomes.

The story of Summerhill is all about leaping before you’re ready, learning as you go, and building something that lasts.

Tropical Sea Moss Smoothie

Recipe by Watson’s

Ingredients

2/3 cup tropical fruit

1/3 cup Summerhill Goat Milk

1/3 cup orange juice

1/3 cup ice

1 scoop (20-30 grams) grass-fed whey protein

1 tablespoon sea moss (freeze in cubes for optimal freshness)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until completely smooth.

2. Step 2: Pour into a glass, sip, and enjoy.

Serving size is between 6- 10oz.

Our glow smoothie is high protein, mineral-rich sea moss, and vitamin C to support glowing skin.

Watson’s Organic Market & Cafe 617 W Main St., Visalia @watsonsvisalia