Can you tell me why I should feed my family raw milk?

No!  There are many informative books and websites that you can utilize to make this important decision.  It is very important that you examine both sides of the issue and determine the best position for your family. You should visit as many websites as possible, including the Center for Disease Control website  and www.realmilk.com. 

Why is it so important to only drink raw milk from 100% grass fed cattle?

Our goal is to produce the healthiest, best tasting milk for your family and that includes taking every precaution against foodbourne illness.  The first and most important precaution we can take is to ensure that your cattle are as healthy as possible.  The health of ruminants will always be compromised when grain is introduced into the diet.  Animals fed inappropriately on dry grain diets suffer from numerous gastrointestinal and other diseases. By definition, then, grain feeding means suffering for the animal. It also can mean suffering for the humans who ingest their meat, eggs, or milk. Grain feeding alters the animals’ intestinal flora, increasing opportunities for the growth of pathogens such as E. coli (in cattle).  Another serious condition that sets itself up with grain feeding is that the PH of the lower intestine changes.  The proper PH of the intestines is so important because E-Coli should be killed in the lower intestine but when the PH is brought in line with that of the human stomach a dangerous situation evolves that makes foodbourne illness more likely in humans. 

How are the cows milked?

Your cows are milked utilizing a closed glass and stainless steel milking system.  The milk leaves the teat and travels into a stainless steel bulk tank that is emptied each day.  Once your milk reaches 35F it is put into plastic milk jugs and stored in a commercial refrigerator. 

How are the cows treated on the farm?

We do everything in our power to ensure that the cows are healthy and happy.  Keeping their diet free of grain is the first and most important step in keeping the cows healthy.  The cows are never kept on a feed lot but have constant access to pastures at all times of the year and they have their choice of minerals at all times.  We do not use chemicals or antibiotics on the cows at any time.  Calves are kept with their mothers for as long as possible to allow the calves to suckle which starts the calves off right. They are given pure cows milk until they wean themselves.  In an effort to keep the cows as healthy as possible we only milk the cows once a day.  We don't get as much milk but there is not undue pressure on the cow's udders.  Both the use of grain in the diet and the practice of milking several times each day are methods of forcing the cow to produce more milk than they would naturally. 

What do you do to ensure that the cows and the milk are disease free?

Our cows are tested for T.B,, Brucellosis and Johne’s disease.   The milk is tested from each teat, at each milking for high somatic cell counts.

If I only need one gallon of milk each week, how can I figure out my cost?

If you understand that you are buying a cow rather than purchasing milk, you can easily figure out your costs.  The cow will cost $75.00 for one share and you will be charged $20.00 each month throughout the summer and $32.00 November through March, (while feeding hay) to pay for boarding your cow.  Each January you will receive an invoice for $20.00 to pay for your share of the milk jugs.

What if I need more milk, how can I figure my costs?

To figure the costs for more shares, just multiply the above costs by the number of shares you will need. 

How do I get more shares?

For more shares you can email me at debbie@applefamilyfarm.com and I will get your name on the waiting list. 

What I move away or buy my own cow?

Apple Family Farm will not buy shares back but you can sell them if you find someone interested. However, if we our milk supply is tight, we have the right to wait to take on new cow share owners.
We will not refund the cost of cow shares or milk jugs fees.

How do I pay my boarding fee? 

Your boarding fee invoice will be in your file folder in the trailer on the first day of each month.