My wife is predominantly raw vegan, and we recently moved to Phoenix.
She is looking to slowly integrate raw goats milk/cheese and perhaps local organic eggs. Are there individuals here that have very small backyard operations that may be able to help supply us?
Thanks! You all are great!
John
Replies
hi, a few years ago we made the switch to raw milk for health reasons. My daughter would react to cow milk. After a few years on raw milk she began to react more strongly to it (hives) and I did as well. We switched to raw goat because that helped when she was a baby, but not this time. She still reacts but not as much as cow milk so we stopped the milk entirely. At that time we found she is allergic to several different foods including beef (the meat itself). Since then we have found that she can have sheep's milk yogurt and cheese with no problems. It sounds strange but the makeup is completely different.. (she also has an egg allergy but we have found that if the chickens aren't given soy in their feed she is not allergic! - fine for at home since we have chickens and can buy from certain famers at the market when our girls aren't laying) I do fine on sheep as well. As for my other children, one has a bit of a sensitivity (she doesn't drink it but does have cheese) and my youngest reacts much like his sister did when she was younger so we try not to give him any. I keep wondering if he will develop more severe reactions like his sister.
We do miss having fresh milk. Not to mention I wonder about my daughter's nutrition without it. While sheep yogurt and cheese are readily available, no one has sheep milk. Do you use your sheep milk solely for cheesemaking or is it possible to purchase some to try?
Hi Gina, When my ewe weans her lambs I usually milk her for a few months. The sheep milk is a wonderful addition to goat and cow for a mixed milk cheese. I usually don't drink it (have goat and cow milk in quantity) but did taste it this spring. Yummy sweet and clean tasting! I have hair sheep versus wool sheep I find their meat cleaner tasting and now the milk better than I expected. This year I froze a lot of her milk but have yet to thaw it other than some for cheese. She is due to have babies again in two months so in 4 months I will again have fresh milk.
thank you so much folks for the responses!
We are in Tempe, Broadway and I-10. I know there were tours recently, but how would you feel if her and I gave your little operation a visit sometime?
This is a great source if you are on the east side:
http://theorganicsaladgarden.com/
I have also been looking into where to get raw goat's milk, as I have read alot about the benefits and would like to try to incorporate it into my diet. Unfortunately, it seems to be very hard to come by! From what I have read, a farm called "Save your Dairy" in Queen Creek sells raw organic cow milk for $10/gallon. http://saveyourdairy.com/
As for the goat's milk... I've not been able to find it raw. One dairy goat farm told me I'd be better off just getting my own goats because it is a very controlled substance. Crazy, huh?!
I stumbled across this site a while back: http://www.goatmilkandcheese.com/RawMilk.html It looks like they sell raw goats milk at a farmer's market... but it's in Tucson. And who wants to drive 2 hours each way every week to get milk?! It would be neat if enough people were interested we could take turns driving down to pick up each week... if they are really selling it there.
I never imagined something as natural as raw milk would be so hard to come by!
Keep us updated on your search! I've lived in Phoenix for 6 years but am just starting to really make an effort to eat better, healthier, organic, locally grown and raised foods. So I too am always looking for new resources. The Roadrunner Park farmer's market and Downtown Phx Public Market are great. There's always eggs there, though you will usually pay $5 - $6 / dozen. I am currently looking into getting chickens for my backyard :-)
Katie
I have milking goats and milking sheep (feta is made from sheep milk), chickens, eggs, turkeys, lambs and both meat and milk goats. There is a LEGAl way to get you raw goat milk. That is the ONLY way I help people out who are in need of it. You may phone me at 480-892-2604 for the details.
Bobbie
Bobbie,
Great, thank you very much!