Thursday, May 17, 2012
The Untold History of Milk Production
If you hear about raw milk, it's almost always portrayed as a fringe product consumed by wacko hippies who are just asking to get sick.
In this video from a new series about local farmers and cooks called Food Farmer Earth, farmer Mike Guebert of Terra Farma Naturals in Corbett reviews the history of milk production in this country. From its roots in small farm-based dairies to its current state as a highly processed commodity with a hugely influential political lobby promoting it, I found his take on the subject riveting.
In Oregon, raw milk can only be bought on the farm that produces it. And if you're considering consume raw milk, the best advice I've heard came from Clare Carver of Big Table Farm, a customer of Champoeg Creamery (see link below). She said, "If you're going to buy raw milk, go to the farm and ask to see their operation." Asking questions is the key: find out what the cows eat, how they're treated and how clean the farmer's process is.
Which, come to think of it, isn't a bad idea when it comes to the milk we buy in the store.
You can also read about another small farmer, Charlotte Smith of Champoeg Creamery, who produces raw milk in St. Paul.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
8 comments:
I love this post. I live in Corbett and I purchase my raw milk from Terra Farma. It's good stuff! I buy my milk from one neighbor, my (pastured) eggs from another, and my (grass fed) meat from yet a third.
AnnieC, you're one lucky duck! It's so great to know the people you get your food from…
Great video!! Love seeing inside the milking parlors. Nice commentary on the state of raw milk legislation.
And thank you so very much for mentioning our farm, Champoeg Creamery!!!
There is no purer taste than the taste of a freshly milked/freshly chilled glass of milk. Raw Milk Rocks!!
Congrats on the great write-up in the Oregonian, Charlotte. Love producers who are passionate about what they do, and do it the right way!
...OH... for pity sake!!!... I was raised on raw milk from our raw cow... I'm 76 yrs old and am in pretty good shape! .... (we only had one cutting board too)! We cut veggies and chicken and venison on it and it didnt kill any of us! ;~)
- Shirley
Thanks, Shirley. You are an inspiration!
I am so lucky. I moved here from NE PDX last year. Earlier tonight, my neighbor brought over a 1/2 gallon of raw goats' milk. She said she had so much that she had to give some away. I still have some frozen blueberries from last year, so I'm whipping up something tasty tomorrow.
I had raw goat's milk for the first time a couple of years ago, and I expected it to be kind of "gamey" somehow. When I took a sip, it was lusciously silky with a mild, milky taste. Lovely!
Post a Comment