In 2012 a friend asked Clearwater resident Donna Ebner if she wanted to try her hand at making goat’s milk soap. She thought it sounded fun, and had such a good time making it she ended up with a large supply and no idea what to do with it all.

 

That’s how Silver C Farm, Goat’s Milk & Other Products was born. 

 

Goat’s milk has long been known as a product that is beneficial to the skin. It’s easily absorbed and contains alpha-hydroxy acids that help exfoliate skin, leaving it smoother and younger looking. It contains a number of vitamins and minerals the skin needs to remain healthy, and the cream present in goat’s milk helps boost the moisturizing quality. It won’t dry out skin like many soaps do, and is great for people with sensitive skin or conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and rosacea.

 

Ebner started out with just her goat’s milk soaps, which she creates in a variety of shapes using decorative soap molds. She took them to the Clearwater Legion holiday season craft show where they were well received, so she started attending more shows. 

 

Wanting to expand, she went online and found a recipe for bath fizzies, which also sold well. Next her friend asked her to make goat’s milk lotion, which customers loved. 

 

Ebner went online again looking for recipes to try, and today her product line includes soaps and bath fizzies in a variety of shapes and scents, goat’s milk lotion, face wash, shaving soap, lip balms and lip balm holders, and lotion bars, which are solid bars of lotion you rub into your skin. She also crochets washcloths, and is always looking for and experimenting with new ideas.

 

She uses only all-natural ingredients in her products, and everything is hand crafted. The soaps don’t take long to make, however they need to harden for four to six weeks, so she needs to plan ahead for orders and shows. The lotions take a little longer to make, but are ready almost immediately. She needs to watch the humidity, which can affect quality.

 

Ebner’s next show is April 16 in Forest Lake, but closer to home she’ll be at the Benton County Fairgrounds flea, craft and vender show on May 21. Her biggest show of the year is the Made in Minnesota Expo at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. 

 

If interested in products from Silver C Farm, visit their Facebook page at Silver C Farm, or email them at silvercfarm@yahoo.com. Select items can also be purchased at the Clear Lake Farmers Elevator. Products are sold separately or can be special ordered and made into baskets.

 

“I want people to enjoy my products because I enjoy making them,” said Ebner.