The foundation of all of our farm practices is compassionate care for our animals.
Our farm looks a lot different than many others. It’s an ongoing evolution as we learn and adapt.
At the core, we are grass farmers. This is a big mindset shift from where we started farming years ago. We’ve learned a lot, and continue to learn more, about the impact of soil health on the plants, animals, and people it supports.
Yes, what a cow eats really does change the flavor and the health benefits of the milk and meat that you eat.
Brown Cows
On the strong foundation of healthy soil and grasses, we raise and milk our herd of Brown Swiss cows. Less than 2% of cows in the US are Brown Swiss, so why do we have this breed? Because we love them! They have big personalities and are generally laid back and easy to work with. This breed originated grazing the steep slopes of the Alps, so they’re rugged and low maintenance. Their milk has the perfect balance of fat and protein for fantastic cheese!
Our entire herd has been born and raised on our farm for over 20 years; each one has a name and many live beyond 10 years old, which is double the lifespan of an average dairy cow.
We let our dairy cows raise their own calves, which is almost unheard of in modern dairy farming. Why do we do this? Because everyone is happier and healthier (farmers included)! Our calves grow like weeds, and they learn how to be a cow and graze right alongside their mom. Dairy cows make enough milk that they can feed their calf and us humans too.
We also raise a beef herd of Murray Grey and Angus cattle. Our animals are specifically bred to produce tender, tasty beef on a 100% Grassfed diet. These cows only produce enough milk for their calves.
We grow everything that our cows eat (except salt)! During the growing season, we move our cows to fresh pasture daily. We’re also busy harvesting grasses to be baled and stored for winter feeding. Our fields are in perennial forages, meaning there are always plants with roots in the soil, and we only till in rare situations. Grasses and legumes don’t need to be sprayed with pesticides or herbicides and are fertilized with manure. We encourage diversity of species in our fields – every plant contributes something unique to the taste and nutrition of our products!
In winter, our animals have access to shelter and the outdoors. They’re free to roam around; to eat, drink, sleep and socialize as they choose.
We use antibiotics only when absolutely necessary, which is rare. Sunshine, grass, fresh air and water are our preventive health strategies. We have a lot invested (emotionally and financially) in our cows, and we want to give them the best medical care available, if they need it. If a cow is treated with antibiotics, her milk is discarded until the antibiotics have cleared her system.
Spotted Pigs
Born and raised on our farm, our pigs are rotated in our pastures and provided with shelter. Our pigs feast on whey, a by-product of cheesemaking, which produces extra tasty pork! We also provide our pigs with local, all-natural grains and hay. While we don’t focus on a single breed, there is a mix of heritage breeds among our herd. Our pigs are raised in litters with their moms until 8 weeks old, when they are moved to separate pastures. In the future, we plan to use our pigs to help us clear land on the farm.
Speckled Chickens
We move our pasture-raised, egg-laying chickens around our fields, following behind the cows, to help break up large manure patties and add their own natural fertilizer. In the winter, our chickens free range in our 1800’s-era bank barn, insulated from the cold. In addition to foraging, our chickens enjoy a local feed. Our flock has a “little bit of everything” when it comes to breeds.
Questions
You can learn more about life on our farm in our Farm Blog. If you have specific questions about our farming practices, please contact us!
