Why Raw Milk?

Please research both sides of this issue carefully before you decide to purchase a share in a cow. If you have any questions, please feel free to email us, and we will direct you as best we can.

A Living Food

Raw milk contains essential enzymes that help you assimilate the nutrients in milk. These enzymes are the natural components that cause the milk to sour normally when certain bacteria are present.

Milk Quality

Anyone who has tasted the difference between processed and fresh raw milk needs no convincing. The full-bodied, rich flavor of raw milk speaks for itself.

How Do I Purchase Raw Milk?

To drink fresh milk in Kentucky and Tennessee, each person/family must purchase a share of one of our cows per gallon of milk. The cost of this share is a one-time fee of $30.00. Once you own your cow, you will obtain one gallon of milk for each share you own. Your $13.00 per gallon fee pays for the care, maintenance, and milking of your cow. You are entitled to obtain 1 gallon of milk per week for each share you own. You must sign a bill of sale and a contract before you can pick up any milk from your share. We have milk testing equipment on the farm to test our milk for somatic cell counts, bacteria plate counts, and Ecoli.

If you have questions regarding our cow boarding program please call us for more details at 317-340-7950 or email us at debbie@rivercottagefarm.net.

At this time, we are accepting names on a waiting list. You may sell or trade your shares but we do not give refunds on your shares.

Please understand that the milk that you obtain from your cow can in no way be sold or distributed under any circumstance!

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

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 critical decision. You must 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 should my milk come from 100% Grass-fed cows?

Our goal is to produce the healthiest, best-tasting milk for your family, including taking every precaution against food-borne illness. The first and most important precaution we take is to ensure that our cattle are as healthy as possible. The health of ruminants will always be compromised when grain is introduced into the diet. Animals fed 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 animal’s intestinal flora, increasing opportunities for the growth of pathogens such as E. coli (in cattle). Grain feeding does this by changing the pH of the lower intestine. When the intestines are at their proper pH, E. coli will be killed in the lower intestine. But, when it is not,  food-borne illness becomes more likely in humans.

Our cows are never kept on a feedlot and live on the biodiverse pastures and receive minerals, molasses, and Apple Cider Vinegar 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 suckle, which starts the calves off right and, we believe, is best for the udder health of our cows.

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. We allow our cows to give us a natural amount of milk. They receive at least a two-month dry period each year and are never subjected to implanted hormones. 

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 for high somatic cell counts at each milking. Your milk is also sampled monthly for somatic cell counts, bacteria counts, E. coli, and any other tests our labs feel are appropriate.

What happens if I move away or buy my own cow?

River Cottage Farm will not repurchase shares, but you can sell them if you find someone interested. However, if 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.