FAQ
Yes, they are. It is not legal in Oregon to sell raw (unpasteurized) milk to the public if you are milking more than two cows. However, since you own a share in the Windy Acres Dairy herd, you may legally use the milk from your share(s) in any way you see fit. Many cow share / herd share programs have been implemented in this state and have been functioning with no legal challenges. Windy Acres Dairy Farm has consulted with the legal team at the Farm-To-Consumer Legal Defense Fund in setting up its herd share program. Also, Windy Acres Dairy Farm works with the Oregon Department of Agriculture and has obtained its approval in setting up our herd share program.
The cows are milked six at a time, in herringbone stanchions, inside a milking parlor once a day, every morning. That is, the milk is drawn from the cow’s udder using a suction device and a set of tubes that empty the milk into a sealed stainless steel refrigerated container. Since there is no exposure to air at any point, the most scrupulous level of sanitation is assured. The system has a sanitation cycle before and after each milking.
Yes, all milk is tested on a monthly basis by the Oregon Department of Agriculture as required for our Grade A dairy certificate. We also have a licensed cheese making room, and the milk for each cheese batch is tested for antibiotics as required by federal and state regulations.
The milk supplied is raw, meaning it is not heat-treated (pasteurized), nor is it homogenized. It will be chilled and you should take care that it remains so until you get it home and in to your refrigerator. If you have some distance to drive or stops to make before you arrive home, it is imperative that you make provision with insulated containers and ice or chillers to keep the milk at refrigerator temperature until you return home. The milk is supplied in new (unused) plastic milk jugs. We never reuse containers. Also, please don’t set raw product on table or counter for a meal, return it to the refrigerator without temperature change. It is best to shake the jug a few times before opening and consuming to mix the cream (that will be on top) with the milk.
If you handle as above, the milk will easily keep a week with no change at all in quality. Indeed, we have kept raw milk in the refrigerator for as long as fifteen days, and it was still sweet and good. It is very good practice to date your milk as soon as it is received.
When the grass is growing the cows are grazing in the farm's field. When winter is upon us and the grass is not growing we feed grass / alfalfa hay. Currently we are working on growing our own "fodder." This consists of sprouting barley and other seeds to provide a nutrient rich, rapidly growing green "sprout" to supplement the cows diet when the pasture is dormant. During milking in the parlor the cows eat a small amount of rolled barley. Please note that no soy is fed to the animals at Windy Acres.
Yes, pastured-based pork (also fed the skimmed milk left over from cream and butter production), lamb, ground beef, chickens, eggs, honey and young beef (“rose veal” meaning grass and milk-fed weighing less than 400 lbs.) are offered at various times throughout the year. Please call for pricing and availability.
We love having visitors! Please call (541) 613-5239 to set up a time when we will be available to give you a tour.