January on the Farm

January is the "slow month" on the farm. We have a few layers that need cared for and no meat chickens. All the goats are growing their babies and resting up for the busy milking season that is only one month away. Cheese is aging and becoming better with every day. I am pouring over gardening catalogs and websites for chickens and other birds that we are adding in the Spring. I am really excited to add a couple of Chinese geese this Spring that we are adding to help with aerial protection of the meat birds.  We are also adding some new layer breeds, Delawares, Cuckoo Marans, they lay a very dark brown egg, Araucaunas, green to blue eggs and keeping with an old favorite the Barred Rock.  We are still debating on bringing ducks back to the farm for eggs and meat late Fall.

Sixteen does are bred this year and that means lots of babies and lots of milk. Kidding watch starts February 9th so come back to see all the cuteness of the baby goat.  Nothing is more entertaining than watching them play and wag those little tails.

Today we are having an ice storm and I am exhausted just thinking about all the excitement that Spring is bringing.Goats are fed with fresh straw so back to my blanket with my favorite new book: The Marvelous Pigness of Pigs by Joel Salatin. Pigs too maybe?

http://www.polyfacefarms.com/2016/04/18/the-marvelous-pigness-of-pigs/
https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/tinted_egg_layers.html

Our Farmstead Raw Milk Cheddar

Simple Life Farms produces a high quality goat’s milk cheddar with many unique qualities that give it a distinct flavor.  We have a farmstead cheddar; this means that our cheese is produced only from milk from our animals on our farm, unlike Artisan cheeses which have the milk transported into the cheese facility. Since we have a farmstead cheddar we are able to manage the quality from the beginning to the end.  Our cheese starts with spoiled goats that are fed high quality alfalfa and grain to produce the best, creamiest milk possible. This milk is then taken into our processing facility to be handcrafted in small batches to provide the best product possible.

Unlike most cheeses our cheddar is made with raw milk.  Rather than pasteurizing our milk we use the milk as is without heat treatment to provide a unique taste. Our cheese is also aged for at least 60 days. This aging process creates a natural rind that also lends our cheeses exceptional flavor. To ensure the safety of our cheese, our facility and cheese is regularly inspected and tested by the USDA.

Why Choose All Natural Goat's Milk Skin Care Products?

Fresh goat’s milk soap and lotion has numerous benefits that cannot be found in many other skin care products, both commercial and all natural, that are currently on the market. Along with being made with all natural ingredients, our skin care products are also made up of over 40 percent fresh goat’s milk; this helps keep skin healthy in a multitude of ways.

Goat’s milk contains Alpha-hydroxy acids, which are responsible for removing dead skin cells. This helps to reduce itchiness and irritation along with making skin feel softer, and look younger.

It also contains a variety vitamins and minerals. One of the main vitamins it contains is Vitamin A. This vitamin repairs damaged skin, and it has also been known to reduce signs of aging, control acne, and provide psoriasis relief. The main mineral in goat’s milk is Selenium. This mineral helps prevent skin damage due to excessive sun exposure.

The high cream content in goat’s milk provides benefits as well. Our goat herd is made up of La Mancha does, who have an average milkfat content of 4 percent. This puts the La Mancha goat breed towards the top based on milkfat content. The fat molecules in goat’s milk are also smaller than fat molecules of other mammals, making it easier for your body to absorb them. This high cream content helps to moisturize skin and prevent dryness.


http://www.goatmilkstuff.com/goat-milk-soap-benefits.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharon-t-mclaughlin-md-facs/what-is-the-benefit-of-go_b_9286700.html