BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. — Round Mountain Creamery became North Carolina's first Grade “A” goat dairy in 2008. While it has parted ways with bottling milk, the farm has now put its 100% into goat cheese.

What You Need To Know

  • Round Mountain Creamery became North Carolina's first Grade “A” goat dairy in 2008 
  • The farm offers cheese tastings and tours
  • It is a part of the Western North Carolina Cheese Trail, connecting cheese-makers in the region

When stepping into the gates of the farm in Black Mountain, one is also taking a step into part of the Western North Carolina Cheese Trail. The trail connects cheese-makers in the region.

“This is like my favorite place on earth,” Round Mountain Creamery Owner Adam Jernigan said.

Jernigan has helped deliver, raise and milk the goats.

“Eight years — twice a day, seven days a week and haven’t worked a day,” Jernigan reflected on his goat-milking schedule.

His connection to each goat on the farm, including the 33 on the milking line, contributed to his own nickname.

“I’m the 'goat guy,' it seems easier to remember than Adam Jernigan,” Jernigan laughed.

The cheese he helps produce has led the farm to hit new records every day.

“We've sold more cheese in our farm store this year by August 20 than we did all of last year,” Jernigan said.

Jernigan eats goat cheese every day, that’s how much he loves his products. The unique flavors he offers range from Delicious Dill to Nutty Blueberry.

“This year, our farm has the good problem of selling so much cheese that we can’t take customers anymore this year until we get more goats on the line,” Jernigan said. 

He predicts that will be next spring, but the farm is still open for tours and cheese tastings. 

Jernigan puts his everything into raising this group.

“They get universal health care, universal day care,” Jernigan said.

He forgets all of his problems when he spends time with his goats. 

“When I’m in here, and they’re all just doing their own thing, totally ignoring me, it’s something special,” Jernigan said. “They’re all happy, and they’re all content.”

According to Jernigan, the goats produce the amounts of milk they do because they are content and well cared for.

He is gearing up to attend the Carolina Mountain Cheese Festival in his own town of Black Mountain. The festival is Oct. 8, where other members of the cheese trail will join him in sharing their products.