Fresh from the farm

Recently, my husband and I took our daughter to Carlton Farms in Rockmart, GA to purchase a pumpkin, visit the corn maze and go on a hayride.  I was also curious to visit them because I found out they provide weekly Atlanta-area deliveries of pastured eggs, unpasteurized milk (labeled for “pet consumption” by Georgia law), grass-fed beef and other natural farm products.  I thought it would be fun to visit a working family farm and see what it was all about. 

My daughter had a great time feeding the free-range chickens and visiting the baby animal petting farm and getting up close with the calves, piglets and baby chicks.  We got lost inside the spectacularly-designed corn maze (this year’s design was “Go Green.”)  But the best part was the hayride into the cow pasture, where we fed the herd of dairy cows hay right out of our hands.  The last time I saw bovine anywhere near that close was in the streets of Hyderabad, India but I didn’t dare get friendly!

The dairy cows at Carlton Farms (in the photo above) were clearly cared-for and treated with affection by the farmers giving the tour.  Truth be told, I’m not sure who enjoyed the hayride more – me or my daughter.  It was amazing to be able to pet the cows’ massive heads and look directly into their eyes from only a few inches away.  I also enjoyed listening to the farmers talk about their farm and the mindful choices that had been made to support a livelihood that respects the land they’re on and the animals they raise.  I’m sure it’s not always an easy life, but it appears to be a meaningful one for a family who has maintained the farm for nearly a century.

I didn’t have enough cash on me that day to purchase any food, but I had already signed up for their weekly email list and placed my order.  The closest delivery point for me is the Café Slush Natural Foods Market in East Atlanta on Friday mornings.  My daughter and I headed over there and purchased our first gallon of raw milk, pastured eggs and two pounds of grass-fed ground beef.  It was very satisfying to be able to explain to my daughter that the dairy cows she helped feed only a few days earlier made the milk we were buying.  We were literally part of the process! 

I rarely drink cows’ milk, but I helped myself to a small cup when we got home and it was delicious – amazingly fresh and creamy.  In fact, after the milk sat in our fridge for a few hours, the cream began to rise to the top! My husband made eggs this morning and said he could tell an immediate difference in the way the eggs looked and tasted, even compared to free range eggs we’ve purchased at our local markets. The whites separated easily from the shell and the yolks were bright. 

I’m looking forward to maintaining this relationship with Carlton Farms and supporting their farm.  Going to the local farmers’ markets and having the opportunity to purchase locally grown, organic foods is wonderful.  Having the opportunity to visit a family farm and getting a glimpse of what goes into producing food as a meaningful livelihood is an experience that really filled me with gratitude.  It gave me the same kind of excitement I feel each year when the first tomatoes begin ripening on the vine in my garden.  Knowing exactly where your food comes from helps brings you closer in harmony with the Earth and all its goodness.

Curious as to why raw milk is a better choice than pasteurized? Learn more:

The health benefits of raw milk

A campaign for real milk

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