Today marks one week since I started work at Toluma Farms, a small goat dairy in Marin County (a mere 5 minutes from the Pacific Ocean). Â Marin County is an hour northwest of San Francisco and fast becoming a “foodie” haven, where folks attracted to locally sourced food can find it in variety and abundance. The region has a long history of dairying due to it’s mild weather and abundant pastures; it is host to many small scale farms which are still making livings in cow/goat/sheep dairying and cheese-making businesses today.Â
Toluma Farms is currently selling bulk milk to other producers but plans are in motion to start making and selling artisan cheese in 2012. Here is a quick tour around the farm.Â
Coastal morning fog
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Home uh, sweet, home |
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The milking parlor and grain tank |
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The soon to be converted creamery |
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The goat barn |
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The kids – replacement does |
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The morning commute – up the hill for fresh air after milking |
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The sheep love to tag along |
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Kids solving their arguments |
In coming weeks I’ll detail tasks and chores that go into operating a goat dairy. It has been a whirlwind change from working full time in an office, and I am looking forward to sharing it with you!
