Virginia Mountaineer
Cheeses, Grade A goat yogurt and Grade A pasteurized goat milk are the primary products produced by Redbud Creamery, LLC, a small micro goat dairy, owned and operated by Beth Maxfield and her husband, Steve Maxfield, in Russell County, VA.
Redbud Creamery, LLC is a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant. Seed capital grants are funded from regional funds received by VCEDA, which are paid by the natural gas industry.
“Redbud Creamery, LLC became Virginia’s first Grade A goat yogurt manufacturer when it began operations in June 2025,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “The business projects four full-time employees and three part-time employees within five years.”
“We farm nearly 120 acres and obtained our Grade A Farm and Dairy Manufacturing permits in April 2025 and our Grade A Processing permit in June 2025,” Maxfield said. “We expect to process approximately 10,000 pounds of milk in 2026, expanding to up to 18,000 pounds between 2027 and 2028.”
Redbud milks both Nubian and Nigerian Dwarf goats, which Maxfield said were chosen because of the higher milk fat content they produce and for the ease of their care.
Maxfield noted initial pilot markets for Redbud Creamery’s products include farmers markets in Southwest Virginia and Northern Virginia, as well as face-to-face direct sales.
“We plan to expand marketing along Virginia’s I-81 corridor, targeting higher-end health-oriented food markets like Mom’s Organic Market, Trader Joe’s, specialty stores, restaurants and hotel/resort communities,” Maxfield said. “Since opening, we’ve focused on building our goat herd and working toward building customers.”
Through the summer, Maxfield said, the creamery hosted summer school students, which she said provided a great opportunity to educate kids about farming and dairy production.
Tastings are offered on Saturdays at the farmers’ markets, which Maxfield noted provides a great opportunity for feedback on Redbud Creamery’s products.
“We are so excited to receive this funding,” Maxfield said of the VCEDA grant. “It allows us to expand and will allow us to double our production volume. We really appreciate the recognition and the funding.”
She noted the funds primarily allowed Redbud Creamery to purchase a 15-gallon pasteurizer, a microscope needed for analysis purposes and portable transport coolers.
Maxfield worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) in developing her application to VCEDA. She received a letter of support from the Russell County Industrial Development Authority (IDA).
“From the beginning, Beth’s passion for agriculture and her commitment to producing high-quality dairy products were evident,” said SWCC SBDC Executive Director Denise Harmon. “As a hardworking farmer and entrepreneur, she has thoughtfully built Redbud Creamery with a vision for long-term growth while remaining dedicated to serving our region with locally produced products.”
“I had the opportunity to tour the farm and see firsthand the care, dedication and planning that have gone into creating this exceptional operation.
“It has been a privilege to work alongside Beth throughout the application process, and I am excited to see her business continue to grow,” Harmon added. “Redbud Creamery is a tremendous asset to Southwest Virginia’s agricultural economy, and I have no doubt Beth’s hard work and perseverance will lead to many years of success.”
“Redbud Creamery fills an important need in Russell County by bringing craft food production to our local economy,” said Russell County IDA Executive Director Laura Gilmer. “We believe craft food services like this can play a significant role in attracting new business to the county.”
Consider replacing with a specific month, e.g., ‘Earlier in August’, Redbud Creamery also learned it had been selected as one of 14 projects statewide to receive $10,000 from the state in the form of an infrastructure grant.
For more information about Redbud Creamery, LLC, interested persons may call 276-979-5217 or visit their Facebook page found at Redbud Highway Farms.
CAPTIONS:
Beth Maxfield, owner and chief of dairy operations for Redbud Creamery, LLC, front, is surrounded by Redbud Creamery employees (back) Stevey Howell, dairy operations lead; Breanna Maxfield, livestock and milk operations lead; Jensen Meade, operations manager; and Luna Dunne and Alex Dunne, facility and operations interns. Not pictured is Steve Maxfield, chief engineering and financial officer. Redbud Creamery, LLC is a recent recipient of a $10,000 VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant.
