Wednesday, January 18, 2012

We are receiving many questions via email from customers and prospective customers about our farm and what products we offer, our farming practices, etc. so we decided to start a blog that we could share the questions and answers with everyone that is interested in what we are doing.  This is my first attempt at "Blogging" so bear with me! 

Once question that I have received many times in the last few weeks is whether we offer raw milk.  We do not currently offer raw milk or dairy products, but based on the large demand we are looking into the possibility of acquiring several dairy cows so we could make it available.  The "food police" have done an excellent job of making it very difficult to provide this very nutritious product to our families.  Right now we are compiling a list of interested buyers of raw milk and butter.   Illinois law allows us to provide raw milk to our customers if they pick it up from the farm in their own container, and we don't advertise the availability.  

If we can get 20 - 25 families together that would regularly purchase raw milk and could pick it up from our farm, we can probably make that work.  Please email me or reply to this blog post if you are interested.

18 comments:

  1. I'm hearing alot of things about raw milk lately. Can you tell me what makes it so great? Are there bacteria issues or can it be delivered safely?

    Interested Bob

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  2. Bob - good question. I guess we should start with what is wrong with "pasteurized milk" - what we find in the grocery stores. Pasteurization destroys enzymes, diminishes vitamin content, denatures fragile milk proteins, destroys vitamins C, B12 and B6, kills beneficial bacteria, promotes pathogens and is associated with allergies, increased tooth decay, colic in infants, growth problems in children, osteoporosis, arthritis, heart disease and cancer. Calves fed pasteurized milk do poorly and many die before maturity.

    Pasteurization was instituted in the 1920s to combat TB, infant diarrhea, undulant fever and other diseases caused by poor animal nutrition and dirty production methods. But times have changed and modern stainless steel tanks, milking machines, refrigerated trucks and inspection methods make pasteurization absolutely unnecessary for public protection.

    Few people are aware that RAW MILK obtained from GRASS-FED COWS is a totally complete and balanced food that, if needed, you could live on exclusively. Let's take a look at just a few of the health benefits obtained from raw milk from a grass-fed cow:

    - Raw cow's milk has all 20 of the standard amino acids.
    - Raw milk contains lactoferrin, which is an iron-binding protein for improved absorption of iron and also anti-cancer properties.
    - Contains CLA, or conjugated linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated omega 6 fatty acid which has many health benefits such as raising the metabolic rate, strengthening the immune system, lowering food allergy reactions, and is also a cancer-fighting agent among other things.
    - Contains vitamins and minerals including calcium which has many benefits in itself including reduction in cancer, lower risk of osteoporosis, higher bone mineral density, strong teeth, and lowered risk of kidney stones.
    - Sixty-plus fully intact and functional enzymes.
    - Contains beneficial bacteria.

    Raw milk, from healthy pasture-raised or grass-fed cows, and refrigerated promptly has a very low incidence of harmful bacteria.

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  3. Hi there! Just found your blog. We have a small organic dairy/bbef/pork farm in Central Illinois. We sell raw milk to about 100 customers. Have done so very sucessfully. Would love to answer any questions you have to help you get started RAW MILK ROCKS ! my home phone is 1-815-635-3414 and our farm site is www.south-pork-ranch.com

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    1. Donna thanks for visiting our blog. I will definitely be in touch pick your brain about the opportunities and challenges in offering raw milk straight from the farm.

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  4. I live nearby in Hoffman Estates and would love to buy Raw milk. My family needs like 6 gallons a week. If you can provide 100% Grass fed, Golden Guernsey Raw Milk products that would be huge plus, as Golden Guernsey cow's milk is much more healthier giving:

    12% more protein
    33% more vitamin D
    25% more vitamin A
    30% more cream
    15% more calcium

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    1. GS - we've found some Golden Guernseys and are ready to start producing healthy raw milk here on the farm.

      Let me know how much you want to reserve - see the announcement I sent out earlier:

      http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=efb24249d5ac2aefe49b893f4&id=594f81f0a3

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  5. GS - thank you for your comments and data - we might have to get an extra cow just to keep your family in milk!

    We've been doing our research and found that the Guernsey does provide the most nutritious milk, in particular the highest levels of A2 proteins. Unfortunately they are a pretty rare breed, although we are fortunate that nearby Waukesha WI was the center of Guernsey breeding back in the old days before the mega-dairies took over. I did find a Guernsey breeder near Janesville that might have some cows available next month, will keep you up to date if we are able to get a couple.

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  6. As one who believes that food should come from farms and farmers, rather than factories, I'll be following your blog with interest. Also interested in purchasing raw milk locally (I live in West Dundee), so hope to hear more on that.

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    1. Peggy - we are looking at purchasing some Guernsey cows to begin producing raw milk in the next couple of weeks.

      Please see the announcement I sent to our newsletter list at this link:

      http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=efb24249d5ac2aefe49b893f4&id=594f81f0a3

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  7. we have a full house here interested.

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  8. We have a full house interested as well!
    We are in Palatine:)
    Thank You!!!!!

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  9. Here's my music link as well..
    http://www.myspace.com/vessyminkmusic

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  10. We are interested here in Palatine.

    Thank you!

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  11. Now I am hearing that grass fed pasture raised cows are the best and safest bet...Apparently Kalona SuperNatural come from small Amish/Mennonite farms that have no more than 35 cows and are still mostly milked by hand...and the milk is vat pasteurized which means it is heated at the lowest possible temperature. The milk is non-homogenized and of course has cream on the top because of it. We have been drinking it for 3 weeks or so and we love it!
    http://www.kalonaorganics.com/who_we_are.html
    I am scared to go raw milk because of the possible things that could happen to my family...it just doesn't seem worth risking the lives of my 3 young children. I respect that people drink raw milk, but I do not like the facts that I have read regarding what happens when raw goes bad...people are so well intentioned and strive to do the right thing for their families...sometimes the right thing means listening to your inner voice instead of the voice of others. link...http://www.realrawmilkfacts.com/real-life-stories

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  12. I am interested in trying raw milk too. Sounds like a really wonderfully healthy food.

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  13. Yes you should stop by and try some of our delicious raw Guernsey milk. We have two new Guernseys, Alica and Joy, so there is plenty of milk to share now!

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  14. I am also interested in raw dairy-milk, yogurt, butter. We have been using raw dairy (goat, cow) for many years for our family of 6, with positive results for those who expressed fears, but our current source is becoming complicated to purchase.

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