About Us
We are a family of five living on a 22-acre farm in southern St. Joseph County. We try to achieve the best from life therefore, our food is very important to us. Our way of controlling what we consume is to be as self-reliant as possible and to do so in a natural and environmentally friendly fashion. The majority of our property is used to grow all natural, alfalfa hay for our dairy goats (and other animals) with the remainder as pastures, gardens, and buildings. We raise our own beef, pork, chicken/eggs as well as vegetables. We also enjoy our own dairy products for a good portion of the year through our Nubian goats. We live this way because it is good for our family, our community, and our pocketbook. We are able to do so by working hard, making sound decisions, and tending to our “investments”.
Ingredients We Use
We use the freshest ingredients available. If it is not produced on our farm, we purchase items that are of the finest quality and if possible are from other local farmers/vendors.
We are willing to customize our recipes to meet your dietary wants and needs so please feel free to send us your special request!
Our Practices
Our approach is to offer a quality (fresh) product in a friendly, professional, and appetizing manner.
We are not Certified Organic we are All Natural. Except for rock phosphate, green sand, and fish emulsion we do not use any products.
We use methods such as companion planting and manual removal as a form of pest management and crop location and rotation for disease management. We try to maintain “healthy” soil for overall success (without chemicals) so manure, manure, manure is our motto. The goats’ manure is our primary fertilizer and not only grows high yielding, disease free, beautiful plants but has also rapidly increased the organic matter in our soil and we enjoy finding handfuls of earthworms when working the land!
We do not irrigate but instead rely on Mother Nature and mulch (leftover hay). When she needs a little assistance, we water each plant a measured amount by hand. Our well is 130 feet deep, at the highest point on our property, in the sandiest (well-draining) soil, opposite the drain field.
Our “operation” is small and does not require extensive conservation practices however we are stewards of the land and do keep fields planted, have transplanted many trees, and offer a wide variety of food and shelter for birds and other wildlife.
Our domesticated animals receive our personal care multiple times a day every day – we look at them, touch them, and spend time with them as a result they are very healthy and productive. We do not use hormones or steroids but if absolutely necessary, we will use antibiotics. (Byproducts will be discarded during any withdrawal period). They are offered unlimited water, alfalfa hay, minerals, and seasonal grazing. We supplement all-natural COB (corn, oats, barley) for higher milk production, to maintain healthy weight, and for the phosphorus, needed to balance their high calcium intake (alfalfa).
The animals are a mixture of free-range, pasture (~2 acres), and paddock regardless they always have access to the outdoors. We breed our own stock or purchase from other local farms or reputable regional breeders. When applicable, they are butchered in an USDA approved facility in Indiana or Michigan.
Highlights
All-natural, Handmade, Farmstead Cheese coming soon!
Misc.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions, modifications, or to schedule a farm visit.
