Raw Milk Co-op 2010

You are invited to join a Raw Milk Co-op, in which co-op members receive fresh raw milk and grass-fed beef from Saint John's Organic Farm. 

Our milk is flavorful and nourishing, certified organic, and completely pasture based.  It is high in omega 3, vitamin E, CLA, and other important vitamins and enzymes that are depleted when people feed grain and pasteurize milk.

Our cows enjoy diverse grasses, alfalfa, kelp and essential minerals.  No grain, no confined feeding, no antibiotics, no artificial hormones, no pesticides or herbicides on our farm.

Saint John's is licensed to sell raw milk by Idaho Department of Agriculture.

Here is how it works:
1. The Co-op Share for March 1 - July 16, 2010 includes:
        one 2.5 gallon package of raw milk each week (20 weeks)
        one half beef 
You may receive your beef either in March or July.
A half beef is approximately 225 lbs of beef (steaks, roasts, ground beef, etc.) cut, wrapped and frozen, a nice amount to share with family and friends.
If you already have a beef source, we encourage you to give this beef to a local food bank and receive a tax deduction for your contribution.

2. The Co-op Share Price
for this period is $1,850: milk -- $10 per gallon, beef -- $6 per lb.
After 35 people purchase milk/beef shares, we will offer a milk only share as well.

3. Co-op Members pick up their milk
at the farm, and preferably several members who live near each other will alternate picking up for each other.

4. Safe Handling.
Members agree to take special care of the food from the co-op, especially the raw milk, to maintain its integrity.

5. Only for Your Household.
Members agree not to distribute their milk to others, and agree not to take their raw milk out of the state of Idaho.

6. Live Well.
Members agree to live prudently – to follow sound nutritional practices for your family.

7. Waiver of liability.
Members agree to waive all claims against the farm and indemnify and hold the farm harmless from liability.

Schedule:
1. Milk Packaging. Milk will be packaged each week in recyclable flexible plastic containers, for easy transport to your home where you may put the milk in wide mouth glass jars or stainless steel pitchers.  Wide mouth containers make it simpler to skim the cream and clean the container.
2. Scheduled Pick up. Members will pick up their milk each week on a scheduled day.  One Member may pick up for a group of members.  You will need coolers and ice.  Ice is available at the Emmett Albertson store.
3. If You Skip a Week. If a Member does not pick up their milk, the Member foregoes their milk for that week.

Frequently Asked Questions:
1.  This seems like a lot of milk.  What do I do with the extra if we do not drink all the milk in one week
You may be surprised at how much milk you will drink when you have milk like this on hand, and how much you will use in the cooking you already do.  See the chart below for ideas.  If you do have extra milk, try making yogurt, kefir, soft cheese, hard cheese or ice cream.  Like anything worth doing, it requires effort to learn these skills, but it is neither difficult nor time consuming, and it is rewarding.
2.  What about freezing raw milk
Many people freeze milk.  This may be a good way to have milk in the winter when the cows are not milking.  You might freeze your extra milk in the autumn.
3.  How will you protect against contamination in the raw milk
Healthy food is the result of good practices at all levels of production and use.  We pay close attention to the life of the soil, since good soil produces good plants which produce good animals which produce good food.  We are careful with animal health and cleanliness at the farm, as these affect your health.  We will share with you our ideas for appropriate handling to carry milk to your home and store it there.  The Idaho Department of Agriculture tests our milk monthly.
4.  Where will we get the milk
Members will pick up their milk at the farm, and preferably one member will pick up for several families living near the member.
5.  Raw milk seems to cost a lot
It does.  It costs a lot to produce good food.  And good food has great value.  On a per gallon basis for milk and per pound basis for meat, this is well within the price range in the western states for raw milk and grass fed beef.
6.  Can we divide shares among two or more households
No.  Our plan works only in direct relationship with a limited number of families.  We are not set up for wider or anonymous distribution.
7.  What if a member moves away or for some reason decides mid-year not to continue in the co-op
In this event, the Farm will offer additional beef to make up for missed milk.  Also, the Farm reserves the right to cancel any membership at any time in its discretion, in which case the Farm will offer additional beef to make up for missed milk.
8.  Will the co-op offer other products like chicken, eggs, vegetables, and fruit
Perhaps.  We are willing to associate with local growers to provide you with vegetables and fruit.


Raw Milk 2.5
What would a family of four do with 2.5 gallons of milk each week?

Well…

Per week
Drink one 8 oz glass with dinner –
4 people x 8 oz = 32 oz or 1 qt. per day
1.75 gallons
Pour on breakfast cereal –
4 people x 4 oz = 16 oz or 1 pt. per day
.75 gallons
Make potato soup once each week –
2 qts of milk
.5   gallons
Make pancakes once each week –
1 qt of milk
.25 gallons
Make yogurt once each week –
1 qt of milk
.25 gallons
Drink one 8 oz glass chocolate milk* after school –
2 people x 8 oz = 16 oz or 1 pt. per day
.5 gallons
Total you would need each week 4.0 gallons

For the adventurous, you might try making:
  • fruit milkshakes
  • quiche
  • omelets
  • mash potatoes with milk and eggs
  • hot porridge in the winter
  • ice cream in the summer.
Or drink tea or coffee with milk or cream.  Or give a little to your pet...

*Chocolate Sauce
Makes enough for one gallon of chocolate milk.  Mix ingredients, then heat in sauce pan until warm and thick, then mix in milk and enjoy.
  • ¼ cup organic cocoa
  • ¼ cup carob
  • 1 T honey or sugar you may begin with ¼ cup and then reduce
  • 1 T vanilla
  • ½ cup water




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