Raphael DaSilva is no stranger to agriculture — especially the dairy industry. Growing up in Brazil, he learned the ropes of milking cows alongside his uncles. When he immigrated to the United States, he brought that knowledge and passion with him, quickly securing work at dairy production facilities.
His love for the job, he says, comes from his connection with the animals.
“I like to work with animals rather than people.”
“You feed them, watch them grow, and see their progress. It’s rewarding,” DaSilva said.
After spending eight years managing operations for another dairy company, DaSilva decided it was time to start his own venture. In 2023, he launched Tino’s Ag in Jonesboro, Arkansas, offering fresh goat milk directly from his farm. Under previous Arkansas law, he was limited to selling up to 500 gallons of raw goat milk per month directly from the farm without a dairy license.
That changed in February 2025, when Arkansas Act 125 expanded opportunities for raw milk producers. The new law now allows farmers to sell unpasteurized milk at farmer’s markets and even deliver directly to customers — significantly widening DaSilva’s potential customer base.
Seeing the growing demand for goat milk products — with market projections showing a 30% year-over-year increase — Raphael made the decision in March 2025 to expand his operation.
Raphael’s wife, Brittany Smith, Owner and Lab Director of Semen and Embryo Advanced Technologies (SMART Repro), had previously worked with Communities Unlimited (CU) to secure funding for her business. With that relationship already in place, Raphael knew exactly where to turn.
He connected with Area Director, Dale Rutherford with CU’s Entrepreneurship Team, who enrolled him in CU’s E-Wealth Program. The program helps small businesses identify challenges, build capacity, and close the wealth gap. After a deep-dive assessment of Tino’s Ag, Dale crafted a tailored work plan to help the business grow sustainably.
The first step: securing a loan. Dale introduced Raphael to CU Economic Development Loan Officer, Candence Brooks. With her assistance, Raphael obtained financing to purchase essential equipment, including a milk machine and a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), along with working capital for transportation, feed, and supplies. He also invested in ten certified Saanen dairy goats, a high-yield breed renowned for producing 1.5 to 3 gallons of milk per day per goat.
The investment paid off quickly. Of the ten goats, nine were female (nannies), and seven of those were pregnant. Soon, Raphael’s herd expanded with the birth of eight healthy goats — four males and four females. Once the young bucks are weaned, DaSilva plans to sell them, likely recouping the initial cost of the herd.
Currently, Tino’s Ag operates out of a temporary facility, but the vision is much bigger. Raphael has already identified a site for a permanent building that will house a processing plant for producing a variety of goat milk products. Dale and the CU team are working closely with him to develop financial projections and secure funding for the next phase.
Once the processing plant is complete and passes state inspections, Tino’s Ag will begin crafting artisanal cheeses, with plans to expand into yogurt, ice cream, and even goat milk candies.
Both Dale and Candence are excited about Tino’s Ag’s future.
“Raphael is incredibly committed and has a clear vision,” Dale said.
“That’s what sets successful entrepreneurs apart — they know where they want to go and are willing to put in the work to get there.”
“Working with Raphael has been a joy,” Brooks added. “I loved getting to hear about his plans for creating different products and getting them to market. I look forward to seeing Tino’s Ag products in the local market.”
Whatever the future holds for Tino’s Ag, one thing is certain — Communities Unlimited will be there every step of the way, helping to turn vision into reality.
