Frequently Asked Questions About Town Farm Dairy

How big is the farm?
How many cows are on the farm?
Why Jersey cows?
What is unique about Town Farm Dairy?
What is raw milk?
Is raw milk safe to drink?
Are there special benefits of drinking raw milk?
What does certified organic mean?
Are Town Farm Dairy’s products organic?
Why is it better to buy local food products?
Why did Town Farm Dairy close in Fall 2003?

1. How big is the farm?

There is a large barn which can house up to 37 Jersey cows. There is a small farmhouse where the farm operators live. The operators have access to about 100 acres of land for grazing and growing hay.

2. How many cows are on the farm?

As of September 2007, there are 22 milking cows and 19 other cows and calves.

 3. Why Jersey Cows?

Jersey cows are smaller (about 2/3 the size of Holsteins) and they are the only type of cow that will fit in the barn. Their milk is also richer, with higher milk solids. This means about 15% more protein, 20% more calcium and 25% more butterfat. This gives the milk its delicious, creamy taste. The cows are also good grazers and have a distinctive appearance including a white "ring" around their nose.

4. What is unique about Town Farm Dairy?

• The farm has been operated for the past 25 years using natural and sustainable practices. For example, rotational grazing is used so that the cows have access to fresh pasture on a daily basis during the warm weather.
• For 9 years, the dairy plant on the farm processed milk from its own cows into a variety of dairy products and sold them on the premises to a loyal customer base.
• The farm reopened in June 2007 and is currently selling raw, skim, 1% and whole pasteurized milk in our famous glass bottles.
• This farm is the LAST operating dairy farm in Simsbury. It was certified organic in May of 2005. The pasture areas were previously certified organic.
• We are the only farm in Connecticut certified to sell raw organic milk.
• We are the only farm in Connecticut that processes its own organic milk and milk products.

5. What is raw milk?

Raw milk is not pasteurized, coming directly from the cows, and then is filtered and chilled.

6. Is raw milk safe to drink?

Certified raw milk is tested regularly by the state and is safe to drink for healthy individuals. It is generally not advised for pregnant women or those with immature or suppressed immune systems.

7. Are there special benefits of drinking raw milk?

For some people who are lactose intolerant the raw milk is much easier to digest. It also contains naturally active pro-biotics and all the original natural vitamins (which are normally lost in the pasteurizing process, and then added back).

For more information visit RealMilk.com

8. What does certified organic mean?

For the dairy products to be certified organic the cows have to be fed and treated in a particular way. They eat feed and grass that are produced organically (without pesticides) and the cows do not get treated with antibiotics or any kind of hormones such as Bovine Growth Hormone (BGH).

For more information visit the USDA site at USDA.GOV

9. Are Town Farm Dairy's products organic?

The Town Farm Dairy was certified organic in May 2005. The pasture areas were previously certified organic.

10. Why is it better to buy local food products?

When you buy food closer to its source, there are multiple benefits.

• You get a fresher product that may not need preservatives.
• You support a local farm, buying your food directly from the producer, without the extra costs of middlemen,processors and a big supermarket.
• There's less pollution from trucking.
• It helps us keep our community together by keeping us in touch with our rural and agricultural roots.

11. Why did Town Farm Dairy close in Fall 2003?

The farmer that founded the Town Farm Dairy came to believe that the future of the farm would be more certain as a nonprofit community farm rather than as a private business, in light of the deed restrictions on the property.

Friends of Town Farm Dairy is working to combine the interests of land conservation, farming, historic preservation, education, charity to the underprivileged, and town officials and the attorney general with regards to the deed restriction.

We are balancing these needs since we re-opened the farm store milk in June 2007

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