We designed our Raw Milk Herdshare with our herd, the land and our customers in mind. We strive to provide the best grass or hay for our cows by using regenerative practices on our land. This allows for the highest nutrition for the cows and the milk they provide. Our “milking parlor” is a simple mobile setup directly in the field that moves with the cows. The milk cows and their calves become accustomed to the routine and are able to spend more of their day together in a cleaner environment. The milk is processed on our farm by using a bulk tank as our cooling method. Our customer pick up area is located in the milk room, which gives full transparency on our cleaning and sanitizing processes. Overall, from start to finish, we have created a system that we believe is best for everyone involved. For more information on our practices, read below!
What is Raw Milk?
Milk has been a major staple item in most family households for centuries. For most of that time, milk was enjoyed in its natural raw form. Coming straight from the cow, raw milk provides a nutrient dense product based on how our cows are raised and fed. On I00% grass, our milk has wonderful benefits such as diverse probiotics and healthy enzymes. After we milk our cows, the milk is put into a bulk cooling tank that stalls bacterial growth and but keeps bioavailable vitamins, minerals, enzymes, beneficial bacteria, naturally occurring CLA and omega-3 fatty acids.
To learn more about Raw Milk and its benefits, visit this Raw Milk Institute’s informational article.
To learn more about Raw Milk and its benefits, visit this Raw Milk Institute’s informational article.
What is a Herdshare
Many States allow drinking of raw milk, but in Ohio, you are only permitted to drink raw milk from a cow that you own. By investing in a “Herdshare”, you are becoming a part owner of our cow herd. This allows you to have access to the milk we produce.
To learn more about what is and isn’t legal for Herdshares and Raw Milk in Ohio, check out this interactive informational Raw Milk PDF from the Farm-To-Legal-Defense-Fund
MIlking in the Field
We practice regenerative dairy methods which improve the health of the soil, the grass, and the cow. We take care of the soil just as much as we do our cows. Currently we are milking between 6-8 cows once a day. We do this right in the field where they are grazing. At night when the calves are old enough, we separate them from their mothers in a pen located in the field as well. Then in the morning, we bring the cows into our milking area and the calves can greet their mothers nose to nose during milking time. While we milk, we leave one teat to share with the calf and after milking, we let both the cows and calves out together to nurse for the rest of the day.
This system has allowed us to raise the young calves in a way that creates balance. We receive nutrition from the cows milk without taking away from what the young calves need to fully develop. We also respect the bond that the mothers and babies need to fully thrive and stay healthy .
The Milk Room
When you come to our homestead, the Milk Room is where you come to pick up your products. This also is where we process your milk and sanitize all the milking equipment. We strive for a clean yet warm and welcoming environment.
The Milking Process
As the milk comes to the Milk Room it goes directly into the bulk tank, from there the milk cools down. As the milk cools we clean and sanitize all milking equipment. It goes through a soap wash, hot vinegar and a sanitizer. Then is hung to dry for use the next milking. When the milk is cooled , we santize your bottles, fill them up and cap them! Into the refrigerator they go for you to pick up.