Reviews of Farms
I have been to the F&C Brooks and Sons (Generation Farm) out on Tongore Road in Ulster County many times. The Milk is pretty cheap compared to many raw or organic milks found elsewhere. They sell 1/2 gallon mason jars for $2 which are yours to keep. The milk costs $2 a half gallon. So to get started, the jar and milk only costs you $4. Then you just keep bringing your jar back (clean of course!) They also allow you to bring your own container as well. The first time I went to this farm, the woman who owns it took my husband and I to see the dairy cows and explained the production of the milk. She was proud of her quality milk and we were happy to hear that they went above the standard for safety checks/inspection and that they had the lowest bacteria count of any dairy farm in the Hudson Valley. Great place--good people, and good for your pocket book too!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Pat Manning on -
I think that's great about your family supporting local, but the only farms that have the lowest bacteria counts and somatic cell counts in AMERICA that also provides open access to the farms that provide the milk, is the Hudson Valley Fresh family of farms. If you want guaranteed clean, fresh, and local, Hudson Valley Fresh beats them all. Duchess and Columbia farmers, bottled in Kingston, and found now most everywhere, including Adams in Kingston. hudsonvalleyfresh.com and fan page also found on facebook.
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Permalink Reply by Joyce Henion on -
For those looking for raw milk it is necessary to go directly to the farm that produces the milk. Raw milk can't be sold in supermarkets or any place else but the farm in New York state. One of the advantages of buying directly from the farmer who has a license to sell raw milk is the assurance that the milk is being produced to the highest standards and the wonderful opportunity to know the farm, farmer, and animals.
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Permalink Reply by Pat Manning on
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Joyce,
With all due respect, there is a reason that raw milk is illegal to sell outside the farm-people can die from raw milk. Buying directly from the farmer does not give "assurance that the milk is being produced to the highest standards". Far from it. That's why Hudson Valley Fresh only works with farms that hold to a standard of quality that is second to none, drives it only 30 miles to the plant, lightly processes it to keep the good stuff, and guarantees 36 hours cow to store.
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Permalink Reply by Lara McGlynn on -
I think you may need some re-education or education about raw milk. A good site is, http://www.realmilk.com/
My comment about bacteria counts was among farmers who produce raw milk.
I am aware of the Hudson Valley Farms label, and I do support them and agree that they put out a superb, quality, local product. However,my discussion is merely a review of a local farm who sells top quality, safe, raw milk. Everyone has their own opinion, and I respect that, but the tone of your replies is somewhat hostile. Especially the comment about death from raw milk. Why don't you do your own review on Hudson Valley Fresh rather then trying to showcase raw milk as something negative?
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Permalink Reply by Lara McGlynn on
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Joyce,
I like the way you say going direct to the farmer is a great way to know the product and people (and lovely animals too!). There is nothing I like more than meeting the growers and producers. I share this with my children, and as we grow as a family, we are looking to create our own little farm where we can practice all the wonderful things we have learned.
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Permalink Reply by Meghan E. Murphy on -
Another thing to note: although raw milk does contain bacteria that is normally killed during pasteurization, those who have licenses to sell raw milk in New York are heavily regulated.
The testing of bacteria levels is quite rigorous, so if you're buying from farms with a permit in New York (those listed on the HVFN page to the best of my knowledge have permits) then you should be comfortable that the bacteria levels have been tested.
There are farms that sell raw milk without a permit. This doesn't mean that they are necessarily unsafe. It can take years to meet the state's requirements and it's also an expensive prospect.
In that case, it's up to you to use your best judgment about the safety and cleanliness ... that's what's nice about being able to talk with the farmer and visit the dairy operation.
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Permalink Reply by Joyce Henion on
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You are absolutely correct Meghan that the standards that must be met to hold a raw milk permit in NY are very rigorous and obtaining a permit costly to the farmer (I have considered it many times but I just can't justify the cost and hassle to the potential return to the farm). Farmers who are dealing directly with their customers know that if they are not providing a safe and wholesome product they will not be in business long and will usually keep a very high level of quality control in concert with the NYS requirements. I would suggest that folks try to deal with farms who hold a raw milk permit for the added security of the state level testing.
Raw milk can be a very controversial topic for those on both sides and I ultimately believe we as individuals should have the opportunity to make informed choices about the food we put in our bodies. In addition I hope that these topics can be explored here on HVFN in an open minded and respectful manner.
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Permalink Reply by Pat Manning on
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Hahaha-truce! I support raw milk!
I am a big supporter of Hawthorne Valley and their raw milk. Sorry if I came off wrong. I was debating the statement that raw milk is a guarantee of clean milk and it is not. I also know that that just because you buy from a farm doesn't guarantee you a quality standard that you seem to appreciate. HV Fresh does. That's all. I have years of experience with making NYS ag laws and with NYS Ag and Markets so I really know what I'm talking about.
However, the fact that you are buying from the farmer and putting the money in his or her hands is a great thing. I would rather see someone buying raw milk from the farmer than a half-gallon of ultra-pasteurized organic milk from Horizon that is owned by Dean Foods, travels about 1200 miles to be processed and shelved, and has the approx. value of colored water.
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Permalink Reply by Meghan E. Murphy on
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Agreed Patrick. I think this is a great discussion!
When it comes to buying local, we don't often enough hear that a big part of it is directly paying the person who does the most important part of the work: growing.
Sure, I love that my food is fresher and that my local economy gets a boost. But, one of my biggest motivations for buying local is giving those dollars directly to the farmer.
Too often, we're paying for marketing, distribution, processing and shipping. None of those taste good.
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Permalink Reply by Joyce Henion on
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Absolutely, a huge part of the eat local movement is about the direct support of local farmers and at a time when NY dairy farms are going out of business at an alarming rate it is amazing to live in an area that has an innovative network of farmers and consumers that are interacting to keep a NEW agriculture alive in our region. Both individual farmers and the regional distributors of local farm products are offering a service to a population that is enthusiastic and supportive of local food ~ a win-win situation.
Of course your point Pat about potential safety issues is totally valid regardless of the farm product being discussed and is a particular trigger point for many raw food enthusiast. One of the things that can really make our region succeed as a model for the localvore movement is the integrity of our farmers who offer consistently high quality food. Will there be folks selling raw milk without a permit - probably. Will someone get sick from buying raw milk- maybe. That is exactly why this conversation is so important, folks need to know how our food system works so they can make informed decisions.
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Permalink Reply by Lara McGlynn on
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I appreciate everyone's insights very much! It's great to hear other people's passion come through. I just want to clarify that the farm I reviewed does have a permit. In addition, I'd just like to add that I am so happy to live in a community where there are such conscientious people who educate themselves on these issues. Although hundreds of farms go under every day in this country, it seems that many are thriving and new ones are starting here in the Hudson Valley. There has been such a movement here. Especially amongst young people who have made a commitment to the earth and their community.
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