Wootons and Goats, Kauai Kunana Dairy

Louisa and Bob Wooton of Kauai Kunana Dairy produce fresh Hawaiian farmstead goat cheese.  They have been raising goats in Hawaii since 1979 and making goat cheese for the past decade. “We are the only dairy on the island of Kauai,” Louisa Wooton says proudly. “Kauai Kunana Dairy is a true family farm. We built everything on the farm ourselves, including the house. Our eldest son Ryan and his wife Sarah are our partners.”

With a milking herd of approximately 28 goats and total herd of 40, the Wootons are pleased with the reception their goat cheese has received. “Almost all of our cheese is sold on the island of Kauai,” Wooton explains. “Even with the drop in tourism because of the economy, our business is doing great. We’ve found our community to be very committed to supporting local farmers and we’re increasing the number of restaurants that serve our cheese.”

The Wootons have high praise for their goats and chickens. According to Louisa Wooton, “Our animals are an integral part of our farm. Our goats are intelligent and friendly and besides supplying milk for great cheese, they mow the orchards and we turn their manure into fertilizer. Our chickens are in charge of the banana patch—they weed, scratch, eat the bad insects and thin the bananas. Interacting with our goats and chickens every day is one of the great joys of farming.”

For the Wootons, applying to be Animal Welfare Approved was an easy decision because it’s a true reflection of the care and respect they give their animals. “Having the Animal Welfare Approved seal is something we’re really, really proud of,” Louisa Wooton says. “Our customers are responding well to it and we put it on everything. We don’t see how any farm can survive that’s not AWA!”