We had a very fun FSSM member tour today at Fairview Farm goat dairy in Dallas. Owners Laurie and Terry Carlson described their 6.3-acre farm where they raise mostly goats, plus a few pigs and some free-roaming chickens. The Carlsons sell their goat cheese at the Wednesday Market, straight off their farm, and at several Roth’s stores in Salem. They are certified organic by Oregon Tilth.
We had a good sized group of members on the tour. We got to see some baby goats that were born back in February and March, take a look at the milking facility, see where they pasteurize the milk to make cheese, and even try milking a goat.
After the tour, we were treated to some yummy goat milk cheese and frozen yogurt.
The Carlsons brought our attention to an important issue regarding genetically modified alfalfa that may start getting used by farmers under a new plan from the USDA. This is of concern to people like the Carlsons, who feed organic alfalfa to their goats, because cross-pollination from genetically modified alfalfa could contaminate their farm, making their alfalfa no longer organic. If you want to learn more about this issue, you can visit http://capwiz.com/grassrootsnetroots/issues/alert/?alertid=14469696.
Check out our slide show to get a glimpse of today’s tour. These behind-the-scenes farm tours are a benefit of FSSM membership — visit our Membership page to learn how you can become a member.
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