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where do you all get your raw milk? I've come across the "goat lady" in Webster Groves, but am wondering if that's the only resource. Is goat milk all that's available in this area? I live in South City.
St. Louis area raw-milkers....
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I'm going to be looking into two possibilities in Farmington and Potosi probably mid-September. I'm moving to Jefferson County and so I might as well drive an hour on the highway to get raw milk, seeing as how to get organic milk I'll have to drive 45 minutes in traffic just to get to Trader Joe's or Whole Foods.
I'll be watching this thread to see if anyone knows of raw milk any closer. I'm seriously considering just buying a cow except they're awful messy.
I'll be watching this thread to see if anyone knows of raw milk any closer. I'm seriously considering just buying a cow except they're awful messy.
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5,997 Posts
I talked to the lady in Webster Grooves and personally wouldn't buy from her. She has too many goats for too little land and charges an exorbitant fee because she knows she can get it and city folk are too ignorant to know that it isn't really pastured.
Dh and I have drove to Potosi for milk9we actually live about 2 hrs south of there) and were extremely pleased with the environment for the animals and their knowledge of milk. They are not entirely grassfed, but is a definite improvement over store bought. OH, and their milk is cheap, like 2.50 a gallon and 10 a gallon for cream. Talking to the lady in Farmington I don't think I would buy from them either, again they just didn't seem to have a clue what they were doing.
I do know that a whole group from St. Louis goes down to Potosi for milk once a week, so if you could get in on that it would save you a lot of money, time and hassle. So, I would contact the farmers as I am sure they could give you the name and number of a contact person for the st. louis group.
Dh and I have drove to Potosi for milk9we actually live about 2 hrs south of there) and were extremely pleased with the environment for the animals and their knowledge of milk. They are not entirely grassfed, but is a definite improvement over store bought. OH, and their milk is cheap, like 2.50 a gallon and 10 a gallon for cream. Talking to the lady in Farmington I don't think I would buy from them either, again they just didn't seem to have a clue what they were doing.
I do know that a whole group from St. Louis goes down to Potosi for milk once a week, so if you could get in on that it would save you a lot of money, time and hassle. So, I would contact the farmers as I am sure they could give you the name and number of a contact person for the st. louis group.
Thanks for the info crunchy_mama.
I found out today that there are people in Festus off Hwy T selling raw milk. The person who told me didn't know how much they sold it for, and I haven't been out there to see the place or talk to them yet ... I don't even know what questions to ask since I'm new to the idea of raw milk.
So, crunchy_mama, supposing I figure out who it is and either go there or call them, what should I ask them? I'll gladly report back here!
I also found out today that the WalMart in Festus sells organic milk, so we at least have that as a backup in case our raw milk plans don't pan out so quickly. It's more expensive at WalMart than at Trader Joe's (who'd've thunk?), but we'd easily spend the difference and then some on gas to get up to Trader Joe's, not to mention you can't go in Trader Joe's and buy JUST milk.
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I found out today that there are people in Festus off Hwy T selling raw milk. The person who told me didn't know how much they sold it for, and I haven't been out there to see the place or talk to them yet ... I don't even know what questions to ask since I'm new to the idea of raw milk.
So, crunchy_mama, supposing I figure out who it is and either go there or call them, what should I ask them? I'll gladly report back here!
I also found out today that the WalMart in Festus sells organic milk, so we at least have that as a backup in case our raw milk plans don't pan out so quickly. It's more expensive at WalMart than at Trader Joe's (who'd've thunk?), but we'd easily spend the difference and then some on gas to get up to Trader Joe's, not to mention you can't go in Trader Joe's and buy JUST milk.
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Carmen here is what I do
I talk to them causally about their farm, how long they have had it, what animals they have, the amount of land, what they feed them, how they approach illness and well care, how they are kept/how long- confinement etc, also I like to ask what else they like to make with the milk= ie any cheeses, butter, etc- to me that gives me a feel of what kind of people they are and just gives a little more insight.
I talk to them causally about their farm, how long they have had it, what animals they have, the amount of land, what they feed them, how they approach illness and well care, how they are kept/how long- confinement etc, also I like to ask what else they like to make with the milk= ie any cheeses, butter, etc- to me that gives me a feel of what kind of people they are and just gives a little more insight.
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I have a degree in Animal Science. Here are some questions that you mind find useful.
1. How are the animals fed? If they receive grain where does the farm get it from? Is it grown organically?
2. Where do the animals get water from? If it is a creek or pond it's probably not as desirable.
3. Where do they get herd replacement from? Are they raised organically prior to acquisition?
4. How many times per day are they milked? What is the milking routine? Are the teats dipped, etc.
5. How is mastitis treated?
6. How is milking equipment sterilized?
7. How is the milk stored? How are the containers sterilized?
8. How long are the cows milked before being allowed to dry off?
9. What is the oldest cow they have?
10. How are the pastures treated?
11. How many head/acre are kept? This number should be about 1/1
12. What do they do with their calves?
I guess that's probably more than most of you would need to think about. As you can tell farmers get nervous when I call.
1. How are the animals fed? If they receive grain where does the farm get it from? Is it grown organically?
2. Where do the animals get water from? If it is a creek or pond it's probably not as desirable.
3. Where do they get herd replacement from? Are they raised organically prior to acquisition?
4. How many times per day are they milked? What is the milking routine? Are the teats dipped, etc.
5. How is mastitis treated?
6. How is milking equipment sterilized?
7. How is the milk stored? How are the containers sterilized?
8. How long are the cows milked before being allowed to dry off?
9. What is the oldest cow they have?
10. How are the pastures treated?
11. How many head/acre are kept? This number should be about 1/1
12. What do they do with their calves?
I guess that's probably more than most of you would need to think about. As you can tell farmers get nervous when I call.
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364 Posts
I just found this link that might be of interest. But pricey
http://www.greenwoodfarms.com/index.htm
http://www.greenwoodfarms.com/index.htm
The St. Louis chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation has a big list of people who sell raw milk, including some that sell at local farmer's markets. You can just go to the wapf.org website and find the email for the leader of the local chapter. PM me if that doesn't work or you need more info.
Quote:
Whoah!! Pricey indeed... ... wow. Maybe we'd try them if they were the only option but wow.
Originally Posted by abbieandlady I just found this link that might be of interest. But pricey http://www.greenwoodfarms.com/index.htm |
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