In a lather over goat’s milk soap
Alison Wood has struggled with eczema all her life so when she read about the soothing qualities of goat’s milk soap she wanted to try it for herself.
She already had five pet goats on her 22-acre farm in Richmond Downs so decided to have a go at making it by hand.
‘‘I did a lot of research, looking into things for very dry skin and different allergies,’’ she said.
‘‘I had lots of different test batches . . . there was an awful lot of soap in the wardrobe.’’
She only ever intended making it for herself and other family members with sensitive skin but after showing a few people there was a lot of interest.
‘‘Everyone who saw it wanted it so that was what started it really.’’
With the help of daughter Libby, she set up a soapery on the farm and early this year launched the brand Midsummer’s Farm.
They make soap the old-fashioned way, by hand, and offer a whole range of products for all skin types.
Only natural ingredients such as coconut oil, shea butter, olive oil and cocoa butter are used to compliment the fresh goat’s milk.
‘‘In fact, most of my soaps you could eat,’’ Mrs Wood said. ‘‘Everything I use is food grade.’’
They recently visited the Matamata Market for the first time and have applied to be part of the Tauranga Farmer’s Market.
They can also take orders through their Facebook page.
There are now 35 goats on the farm and apart from soap they also sell fresh goat’s milk at the gate.
Originally from Britain, the family moved to New Zealand six years ago and to Richmond Downs a year later.
They have had dry stock and horses on the farm, and in the past have bred goats for dairy companies.
Mrs Wood’s husband Colin is the head of digital technology at Cambridge High School.
Go to facebook.com and search midsummer’s farm for more information.