Denver needs high quality, humanely raised dairy products and pastry. And I am just the girl to do it..
The amazing Jill Sobel of Fetchin Farms has invited me and my animals to come and work with her in expanding her raw-milk share business in Denver. And I would like to put my years of cheesemaking apprenticeship to good use by providing food for my friends, family and community. Incredible cheese and milk you can feel good about eating, from well-loved animals sharing a happy life with the people around them. But its not just about us--Jill and I would like to bring hands on experiences to promote gentle, cooperative working relationships with our livestock friends and the ability to be a part of creating your own food from your own animals.
We have recently taken on 15 acres, 30 minutes north of Denver, which will be the site for the beginning of our merging farms. In addition to the high cost of moving my animals to Denver, we have general start up costs of fencing, pasture management and shelters. After that, we can begin putting together our dairy, first for raw milk shares and moving on into purchasing equipment like milking machines, pasteurizer and/or cheese vat, and furnishing a cheese room up to USDA Grade A standards.
I specialize in bloomy rind (brie-type) cheeses, fresh chevre, but my real talent and optimism for my work is in my greek style strained yogurt and pastry (think apple-rosemary-camembert tarts and blueberry-feta pastry).
I had the good fortune to work for an incredibly talented cheesemaker, and I can't wait to translate what I've learned from her into my own cheeses. I will now have the good fortune to work with a wonderful animal lover and "goat lady" whose herd management and commitment to sharing goat milk with her community I admire and who I am proud to call my partner, Jill Sobel.
It is not going to be easy getting to Denver, no part of this process will be, but it is well worth it. We are expecting to leave Mars Hill October 24th, and arrive in Denver sometime between October 27th-28th, if all goes well.
Special thanks to Josh Dake for editing my video.
FAQ
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Yes, within a reasonable distance for overnight shipping, especially in colder seasons.
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The cost of "organic" grain ration is nearly 3 times more expensive, and quite cost prohibitive. However, our pastures will not be sprayed and we are looking into producing our own no-spray alfalfa hay. Antibiotics are used minimally, when necessary, in conjunction with complementary, holistic treatments to heal colds, mastitis, rid parasites, etc. and that milk is never for human consumption.
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Sep 29, 2011 -
Oct 19, 2011
- First created · 0 backed
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Pledge $5 or more
3 backers
invitation to a cheese-tasting party and a hoof print thank you note
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $10 or more
2 backers
Anyone donating $10 or more will have their name on the sponsor wall inside the kidding barn. Also includes invitation to cheese tasting and hoof print thank you card.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $20 or more
27 backers
One pound of the most delicious cheese, plain or flavored chevre or bloomy rind (brie type) or greek style strained yogurt youve ever eaten.
Estimated delivery: May 2012Pledge $30 or more
17 backers
Broken Shovels T-shirt, printed on sweat-shop free shirts, artwork by Christopher Becerra. T-shirt image can be viewed at http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=261523703870228&set=a.261515750537690.63001.259693670719898&type=1&theater
Estimated delivery: Nov 2011Pledge $50 or more
2 backers
Original hoof-print signed poster of your favorite goat. Choose from Drucilla, Nico, Panda, Willy, Kelly, Olive or Fern. Or the twins, Montreal and Saskatchewan. Or our official mascot, Tripod, the three legged rescue goat! Poster images can be viewed at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.267003079988957.64402.259693670719898
Estimated delivery: Nov 2011Pledge $60 or more
1 backer
Name a Chicken! You'll also get an 8x11photo of your chicken, and updates about her chick hatching future.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2011Pledge $75 or more
4 backers
Four pounds of cheese or greek style strained yogurt, your choice, as soon as facility is up and running.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $100 or more
9 backers
Private Farm Tour of the new facility in Denver, choice of tshirt or poster, named as a sponsor in our Grand Opening Celebration.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $200 or more
0 backers
Kidding Tour, be there for the birth of a baby goat! Watch the miracle of life, snuggle a fluffy newborn, help the new kid get dried off and find his first meal. Most births happen between 6am and 6pm, but this one will take some planning. Also: Tshirt and named as a sponsor in our Grand Opening Celebration and Cheese tasting.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $250 or more
2 backers
Name a kid! Choose a Doe, Buck or Wether and name that baby!. Also includes a tshirt or one pound of cheese.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $500 or more
1 backer
Three sessions of private cheesemaking lessons. Start by hand milking a goat, and make the cheese of your choice. Three sessions will cover all steps of aging cheese. Tshirt and named as a sponsor in our Grand Opening Celebration and Cheese tasting.
Estimated delivery: May 2012
