Barker’s Goat Farm

Sue Barker has been a goat milk producer since 1970. Sue Barker is the farmer who supplies Avalon Dairies with goat milk.  She is a leading goat milk producer in the Fraser Valley, milking over 200 very happy and well-cared for goats She sells to Avalon grocers and can be considered the most experienced goat farmer in B.C.

Born in the UK and growing up in the UK and Germany, Sue’s family emigrated to Canada in 1966, where even though she was a “city girl,” she joined 4-H, which was when she started to learn about raising farm animals. 

Sue started out with purebred Toggenburg milk goats, owning and showing them since 1969.  She has the distinguished achievement of being the only Canadian ever to win the US National Title for Best Milk Goat, and she achieved this seven times between 1981 and 1993.  She no longer shows goats, but is a sought-after judge of dairy goats, and judges in shows all over North America. 

Sue started out farming full-time by working as a manager of a goat dairy from 1991 to 1996.  In 1996 she bought her first dairy in Yarrow, and, needing to expand, she moved to her new location in Greendale in 2007.  She currently supplies Avalon dairies, Salt Spring Island Cheese and Hilary’s cheese in Cowichan. 

Sue’s passion for goats and knowledge is well-respected in the farming community.  She has been active for many years in the milk goat industry associations and is a “go-to” person for all farmers producing goat milk.  Sue has vast experience in the care of milk goats and has just finished a foray into organic goat milk production.  She no longer is an organic producer due to problems with sourcing of supplies, health issues and cost issues.  She continues to hold to natural production principals. 

Come and meet Sue Barker in Greendale.  You will be able to sample goat milk and cheeses, meet the goats and perhaps even pet the baby goats.  You will see how she manages her herd of dairy goats, see the big Billy and, if you come at the right time, see the goats being milked!