As far as they know, this farm is the oldest organic certified dairy in the United States.The land has been in possession of this family for well over 100 years.
The milking parlor, which is antiquated, but fulfills the needs of the farm.
As I spoke with one of the family, and met some more family members, it became obvious just how hard these farmers work. Dairy farming is quite labor intensive, apart from the fact that cows must be milked twice a day, each and every day.
Engelbert makes, among other products, various delicious organic cheese products. They are a bit expensive, but we also buy their cheese from time to time. If you ever wonder why these products are expensive, you should meet, and talk with, a small farmer.
As we left, the family member giving us the tour said "Feel free to ask questions anytime!"
It is a wonderful thing to meet and talk to a food producer, to see where your food really comes from, and how hard these farmers work to put food on your table. And if Dutch Hills Creamery (whom I blogged about last Saturday) can not get back into operation after a disastrous fire (I've been told informally they will not try to make a comeback), our community will be poorer for that.
Support a local farmer today!
Day 21 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge #blogboost
You are right no one works harder than farmers. My brother in law farms in Illinois and I enjoy the fruits of his efforts.
ReplyDeleteYou are fortunate. No farmers in my family. Enjoy!
DeleteThis was my life! I love this!
ReplyDeleteI have still more pictures. Maybe next week....
DeleteWhat a cool thing to see. I remember spending time on English farms growing up.
ReplyDeleteThat was cool. The only farming I saw was at an exhibit in the Bronx Zoo. Hmm, perhaps a blog post is in order...
DeleteGreat pics. I agree that dairy farming is very hard. Those cows need milked on a schedule and they don't know anything about weekends or holidays.
ReplyDeleteThat is true. No rest for the farmer!
DeleteFarmers work very hard and a lot of times it is without any recognition. I hate hearing the other one may not come back but I can understand why.
ReplyDeleteAs of yesterday, a final decision has not been made by the other farm's owners (Dutch Hill Dairy) but others I have spoken to say they won't be coming back.
DeleteI love visiting our local farms here. We have many organic farmers, but so far most I know of produce plants, not meat or dairy products. I discover most of these small farms through the local farmers markets.
ReplyDeleteAnd so many of those farmers love speaking to their customers. It makes visiting the farmers markets so rewarding.
DeleteVery cool.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is. Thinking about posting more of my pictures next Saturday.
DeleteWOW, this brought back memories! My aunt and uncle had a large dairy farm in Cambridge NY and when I was young, my parents, grandparents and us kids would go up almost every weekend. I had fun milking the cows, no machinery back then and we would drink the milk right from the cow!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to the Glens Falls area in years. It sounds like a treasured memory from your childhood. I would have loved something like that, too.
DeleteI never knew a lazy farmer.
ReplyDeleteYou are right - a lazy farmer wouldn't last long.
DeleteI totally agree! My cousin's wife's parents used to be dairy farmers and they worked very hard. Now I observe my nieces and how much they love farm animals. My nieces go to the Albion fairgrounds and the goats, cows, sheep and pigs are their favorite animals to see. Thank you for posting this interesting article, Alana!
ReplyDeleteAmy
I may be posting some more from that farm next Saturday, Amy. Sounds like my readers enjoyed the visit!
DeleteAfter pouring your life into a healthy, sustainable farm that serves the community, only to have it destroyed in a fire... My heart breaks for them. Brenda
ReplyDeleteOh yes I agree with you (and so sad about the fire). I went on a Farm Tour in 10/14 that focused on organic farming and it definitely gave me an important perspective I had lacked.
ReplyDelete