...I'm now a shareholder in a goat herd! After visiting three somewhat local goat farms, I was able to feel comfortable enough with one to sign up as a shareholder. The farm is immaculate and the animals are superbly cared for. The owner feeds grass and alfalfa hay as well as her own grain that she has mixed specially for them. It's got oats, flax, black oil sunflower seeds, and some other goodies that I just can't remember. She let Laina and I feed them organic animal cookies (the ones designed for kids - ha, I mean children) because she said the ingredients are better for the goats than the feed-store-bought "goat cookies". She is really big on proper nutrition for her goats, not only so they produce top-notch milk, but also so they can live long and healthy lives. I love that she cares so well for the herd.
There were also chickens, ducks, a cat, a dog and a horse. And she hopes to have extra fruit from her trees and veggies from her garden to distribute to share-holders next season. I love that! And yes, even with all these farm animals, her place was so clean. That, coupled with the great care she gives her animals, sold me on the farm.
I get to pick up our shares of the milk on Wednesdays, and last Wednesday was my first pick up. The milk is awesome and Laina keeps asking for "goat milk". It's really cute.
I know many people want to know why I am choosing to do this whole share-holder thing and get raw milk. The more I research not only this subject, but more and more about food in general, I'm convinced that eating as much raw food as we can is so beneficial to us. But, instead of re-hashing out all the details here, check out this great post I came across: http://www.cheeseslave.com/2009/08/24/got-raw-food-50-ways-to-increase-enzymes-in-your-diet/. The author of the blog talks briefly about raw milk in that post, and also has a link to "Top 10 Reasons to Drink Raw Milk" which is also very informative. So, in addition to the reasons she states, one other thing that I will add is that I love the idea of Laina going with me to the farm to pick up farm-fresh food. Milk for now, and hopefully all kinds of other goodies in the future. I want her to see where food comes from, in it's natural state, and appreciate the work that goes into producing it.
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3 comments:
yay, jenna! it sounds great! we are looking to purchase milking goats in the future. does this farm sell goats, too? if not, i bet she would have good recommendations, huh? i am so happy for you guys! since spring, we have been getting our eggs regularly right from the "farm yard" (a neighbor girl is raising her own 10 laying hens and has eggs in abundance). i love that our girls are seeing where we get our eggs, too, and hopefully, they will be more closely connected with the work of animals in the future.
Have you read "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver? I am reading it now and it is totally inspiring me to eat locally, organic and in season. I highly recommend it! It will totally reinforce your decisions to do what you're doing with the milk. Plus, it teaches you how to make your own cheese and I think I've found a new hobby!
Tara - I have heard of that book and totally want to read it. I should add it to my library list. And the cheesemaking sounds fun!
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