Milk

[Anon001]

I just saw an ad on Craig's List for cow's milk $4 per gallon, $2 per half gallon! WOW... It's actually a goat dairy but they didn't advertise the goat milk.

[DM]

WOW that's high!

The amish here get $2.50 to $3.00 per gallon for organic milk. My neighbor a couple miles away told me to stop over any time and help myself. $1.00 per gallon, leave the money in the milk house...

DM

[nhlivefreeordie]

WOW that's high!

The amish here get $2.50 to $3.00 per gallon for organic milk. My neighbor a couple miles away told me to stop over any time and help myself. $1.00 per gallon, leave the money in the milk house...

DM

We used to have that same deal with a big chicken farm in NH. They had a shed at the end of their driveway with regular commercial coolers in it and a wooden box with a slot. The prices were posted on the wall, and you could go there 24/7 for eggs.
Wish we had a milk deal like that here, I much prefer milk straight from the cow....or goat.

[Moody Vaden]

I pay 4.50 a gal for grassfed jersey milk. Not so grassfed right now though. I did not know there were any organic amish farms.

[Deberosa]

They probably have to charge that to pay for the infrastructure required by stupid excessive requirements. All in the name of "protecting" us, but really it's to insure that no startups threaten the profits of the factory food production corporations.

Been reading "Everything I Want to Do is Illegal" by Joel Salatin. What is happening is outrageous and it's goal is to eliminate anyone getting into the milk business. Or any farm based business really.

If someone were selling raw milk here for 10 dollars a gallon I would buy it to support them, because they had to put in an incredible amount of infrastructure just to sell the first gallon and a dearly want them to succeed. As a matter of fact, the family we bought the beef, and now the half a pig from has a daughter who is now selling milk and I didn't even ask the price. Until we get set up to do our own again, that's what we'll do.

All under the disguise of "food safety". Read this book - you will find out how safe that supermarket food really is!!!

[AlchemyAcres]

They probably have to charge that to pay for the infrastructure required by stupid excessive requirements. All in the name of "protecting" us, but really it's to insure that no startups threaten the profits of the factory food production corporations.

That's exactly it!!!

If it's raw milk, those prices are actually reasonable for a producer who has a formal permit and meets all the rules to sell raw milk publically.

It's all crazy!

http://www.realmilk.com

Like DM, I can get it from neighbors for around a dollar per gallon.



~Martin

[DM]

I pay 4.50 a gal for grassfed jersey milk. Not so grassfed right now though. I did not know there were any organic amish farms.

Every amish dairy around here that i know of, including the goat dairys, are all organic.

DM

[Moody Vaden]

Every amish dairy around here that i know of, including the goat dairys, are all organic.

DM

Well, good for them, that is great. May I ask what part of the country you are in? Around here, I've talked to some and they don't want the hassle and red tape that goes with an organic certification.

[bee_pipes]

There are a lot of laws on the books in various states preventing the sale of raw milk. Tennessee was debating the sale of raw milk in the state house, don't know whatever came of it... buried in manuvering, no doubt. One dodge that has been used to get around the laws is selling "shares" of a cow. Folks buy shares and the milk they get is part of the return on 'their' property. Apparently the raw milk laws apply to selling the milk to others, not consuming your own raw milk (yet). Since they are part owners of the cow, the part of the raw milk they get is already their property/dividend from thier investment.

Organic certification is a joke. There's no label that can substitute for knowing the farmer and thier approach to runing the farm. Obviously they are busy folks and can't sit down to a cup of coffee with everyone that might come through. But you can find long-time customers and hear their experiences...

Regards,
Pat

[DM]

Well, good for them, that is great. May I ask what part of the country you are in? Around here, I've talked to some and they don't want the hassle and red tape that goes with an organic certification.

I never said they were certified, but i know from doing custom tillage for them, how they do things. And they are VERY strict about being all organic, not because they want more money for their product, but because it's a way of life for them.

DM

[Jamie]

I pay 4.50 a gallon in Omaha. It's illegal in Iowa also.. Deb, I am reading You can farm by JoelSalatin... I love that guy! he is right on! Now if more people in my area would apply his methods instead of sleeping with big ag....maybe we could get some better local food.

[Deberosa]

I pay 4.50 a gallon in Omaha. It's illegal in Iowa also.. Deb, I am reading You can farm by JoelSalatin... I love that guy! he is right on! Now if more people in my area would apply his methods instead of sleeping with big ag....maybe we could get some better local food.


I had the opportunity to hear him speak at Evergreen State College in WA. You should have heard the sucking sound in the huge auditorium when the first words out of his mouth were: "Just so you know I am a libertarian, home schooling, Christian conservative." HEHE He won them over though showing that this can cross politics.

He is an incredible passionate speaker - if you ever get to go see him don't miss it. I hope to go see Polyface Farm at some point since we are so close now.

[Anon001]

I pay 4.50 a gallon in Omaha. It's illegal in Iowa also..

In Kansas anyone can sell milk, eggs, butter, etc. BUT... you can only sell to individuals. You can not sell to any retail outlet such as restaurants, and you can't sell to hospitals, etc. ... just to individuals. Also, you're suppose to not be able to advertise in any manner other than a sign on your own property, but I can't find that part in the statutes.

....and this can be done without any kind of permit or license...

Paul

[Moody Vaden]

I never said they were certified, but i know from doing custom tillage for them, how they do things. And they are VERY strict about being all organic, not because they want more money for their product, but because it's a way of life for them.

DM

I grew up around the Amish, having worked for them, befriended, etc. They were actually the ones I learned about Mircale Grow from, nearly 30 years ago. Good at farming, but not so good at chemistry. They believe if this much makes it this good, then 10X more will make it 10X better. But that's jsut my experience here near SE PA. If they are going more towards organic nowadays, then like I said, good for them, but it's more about the money than anything. Some of the toughest businessmen I know.

I apologoze, I assumed "certified" when you said organic. Having been certified organic myself, I would advise the farm you speak of should be careful of using the "organic" out loud if they're not certified. The doa will shut them down quicker than they know what hit them. I've seen it happen.

[Moody Vaden]

Organic certification is a joke. There's no label that can substitute for knowing the farmer and thier approach to runing the farm. Obviously they are busy folks and can't sit down to a cup of coffee with everyone that might come through. But you can find long-time customers and hear their experiences...

Regards,
Pat

ABSOLUTELY. This is why we left it. Clientel had more faith in us than in the cert.

CNG seems to be gaining momentum. http://www.naturallygrown.org/

[Anon001]

Good at farming, but not so good at chemistry. They believe if this much makes it this good, then 10X more will make it 10X better. But that's jsut my experience here near SE PA.

In my years of experience with the co-op, that is the way the majority of farmers believe. Educating farmers is the hardest job there is. lol

Paul

[Moody Vaden]

In my years of experience with the co-op, that is the way the majority of farmers believe. Educating farmers is the hardest job there is. lol

Paul

Very true, Paul. I myself have been guilty of blue cabbage plants, years ago. And then I learned the right way.

[DM]

I grew up around the Amish, having worked for them, befriended, etc. They were actually the ones I learned about Mircale Grow from, nearly 30 years ago. Good at farming, but not so good at chemistry. They believe if this much makes it this good, then 10X more will make it 10X better. But that's jsut my experience here near SE PA. If they are going more towards organic nowadays, then like I said, good for them, but it's more about the money than anything. Some of the toughest businessmen I know.

I apologoze, I assumed "certified" when you said organic. Having been certified organic myself, I would advise the farm you speak of should be careful of using the "organic" out loud if they're not certified. The doa will shut them down quicker than they know what hit them. I've seen it happen.


The amish here aren't pushing anything on anyone, or trying to sell you a bill of goods. Organic, like i said before, is a way of life for them HERE, i have no idea what they are doing where YOU live.

DM

[Laura]

If I am highjacking, please move me.

Cow Shares.
How do I find someone in my area that does this? I sure would love to try raw milk to make butter and cheese and such....BEFORE I buy the cow! I have gone to several sites to try and find places in my area.....and either they don't exist, or I am not looking in the right place.....

thanks for your help!

[Anon001]

Laura,

Have you ever milked a cow? If not, put an ad on Craigs List or something. Tell them you need someone to teach you to milk. Then they will probably be glad to give you some milk to take home.

If you ike milk, you'll like fresh raw milk. It tastes like store bought, except it is richer, thicker, and sometimes sweeter. I always added liquid molasses to the feed to make the milk sweet.

I haven't seen "cow shares" very often at all. Usually it is only with high end cows that cost thousands of dollars for genetics.

Keep in mind that if you bought a milk cow and didn't like to milk, you can always sell the cow.

Paul

[AlchemyAcres]

If you like milk, you'll like fresh raw milk. It tastes like store bought, except it is richer, thicker, and sometimes sweeter.

I don't think it tastes anything like store bought milk, not even close, but, of course, taste is subjective!!!! :) The old vat pasteurized "store bought" wasn't too bad, but still nothing like raw.

I think that the Craigslist ad is a good idea! Especially if you can find a pasture based dairy!!

Check out this link for sources near you.......

http://www.realmilk.com/where1.html


~Martin

[Moody Vaden]

The amish here aren't pushing anything on anyone, or trying to sell you a bill of goods. Organic, like i said before, is a way of life for them HERE, i have no idea what they are doing where YOU live.

DM

Sure you do, I explained to you in my previous post what they are doing here.

[Moody Vaden]

I don't think it tastes anything like store bought milk, not even close, but, of course, taste is subjective!!!! :) The old vat pasteurized "store bought" wasn't too bad, but still nothing like raw.

I think that the Craigslist ad is a good idea! Especially if you can find a pasture based dairy!!

Check out this link for sources near you.......

http://www.realmilk.com/where1.html


~Martin

I particularly enjoy the flavor of it in the spring.

[Anon001]

I realize it tastes different, but you can't describe the taste to someone that hasn't had fresh raw milk other than to tell them it's thicker, richer, and sweeter.

At one time I was handmilking 5 Jerseys and selling some of the milk. When it came time to go back to just 2 or 3, I sold one to a middle aged couple. They had moved here from Boston to be near the daughter that married a Kansas native. They lived about 2 hours south of me.

This couple had 5 acres and a few sheds. She wanted to milk and churn, etc. They even stopped in at Lehman's on their way to Boston.

So, they have no trailer and she asked if I would deliver, and I told her I would but I would charge her by the mile.

Before we made the deal, I had some milk for her to taste and she loved it. Then I brought this cow in to milk. She was a good cow with the best manners.

With some instruction the woman did fine. So, we make the deal, I deliver the cow. I didn't milk her that morning. So, we sit down to milk when I get her delivered. All went well.

About a week later, the woman called, in tears. She couldn't get the cow to stand still while she milked. The cow would kick and swat her face with a urine soaked tail....etc. She couldn't get but about a half gallon from a Jersey that I knew was giving around 5 gallons a day.

She ended up selling the cow. Her problem was that she tried to treat the cow like a pet and talk softly to her to try and get her to behave. I made one more trip down before she sold the cow. The cow milked out just fine, no mastitis, no problems, no kicking, no swatting, etc. Like I said, she did have good stall manners. When I watched her try to milk, I realized she was expecting the cow to be like a pet dog and do whatever she told the cow to do (in a soft voice).

My point is that if someone has never milked, or been around a milk cow, they should do as Laura and find an alternative before making the plunge and the commitment. But, if that isn't possible, the cow can always be resold.

Paul