Business Topics
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owners share in the vet expenses? If so, this may be more an indication of ownership.
How do you keep track of how the production is shared? Do you have records to show that each shareholder got equal shares? If so, this practice may help you to defend yourself if you happen to be investigated.
How are you paid? If your payment arrangement is done so that money is taken when milk is given, this could look like a sale. Fees that are tied to boarding are more in alignment with the law.
What sort of fees are you charging? Do they correlate with the fair market value of the animal? For example, if the fair market value is $400 and you have 1/8th shares in a goat, the price for a share should be around $50. Monthly boarding should be whatever your expenses are divided by the number of shareholders.
It is also important that you see your business as a goatshare/boarding business NOT a loophole for selling raw milk. Your words and actions can be used against you. If you show these animals, register them, or otherwise refer to them as "yours," maybe this really isn't about boarding.
If you are in, or plan to get into, the goatshare business, don't take any of this as legal advice. Talk to an attorney. Let legal guidance in crafting your contract. Educate yourself about not only the legal aspects, but the practical ins and outs of sharing your animals with other people.
There is an affordable online class hosted by the Farm to Consumer Foundation.
One second thought, I think I am more crazy than my goat. ~ Remedios Varo
The Curse of the Billy Goat
If you are a baseball fan, you probably have heard of the Curse of the Billy Goat. In 1945, Billy Sianis was attending the World Series game of the Chicago Clubs vs. the Detroit Tigers at Wrigley Field. He had taken his billy goat along, most likely as a publicity stunt for his restaurant business. The ushers gave him a hard time at first, but when he produced a ticket for the animal, they agreed to let him stay.
Unfortunately, it started to rain. When the sun came out, you can imagine what that did to the goat odor. Fans complained. This time Sianis was not allowed to stay. Sianis was so upset that he cursed the team. Despite many attempts to lift the curse, the Cubs have not won a World Series since then.