Willow-Marsh Farm Store
Offering a variety of foods & products
that are clean, natural, & chemical free.
For the bio security of our animals, no pets, horses or other animals are allowed on the farm property. This is a smoke-free property.
Our Raw Milk
Buying & Ordering Raw Milk
After much thought, we've decided to pause our raw milk sales as we take a break from dairy farming. We are currently working on renovating our dairy barns for cow comfort and upgrading our fencing to allow them 24/7 access to pastures. We're grateful for your support and will keep you updated as we make progress towards bringing cows back onto the farm. We will be focusing on building a creamery on site and adding ways for our community to better connect with us and each other here on our farm. We are very excited for this new chapter.
​
The most frequently asked question we hear is, are your cows grass fed? The short answer is yes. BUT... asking this question is not going to get the answers you may be looking for. Scientifically, corn is a grass. and many of you have expressed concern over the cows eating corn covered in pesticides and other chemicals, and the corn being GMO or what is called- Round-Up ready. Our corn is non-GMO and free of pesticides and herbicides. We cultivate; we do not spray our fields.
We raise Holstein and Jersey Dairy cows on our farm. Their feed consists of pasture grasses, hay, non-GMO corn silage, alfalfa, and a grain mixture consisting of corn and distillers grains for their minerals (also non GMO). We have 132 acres and grow everything except the grain mixture. Why is what the cows eat important? It can affect the cows' gut health and the quality of the milk. We aim to bring you the best quality clean foods that we can. The Curtiss family are 5th generation farmers who know a thing or two about dairy farming.
There has been some dissemination of false information recently online concerning how we feed our dairy cows and we'd like to clear that up. Cows are known as “ruminants” because the largest pouch of the stomach is called the rumen. Feeding cows a high grain diet of finely ground corn is bad for them. It can be digested too quickly causing gas and bloating while increasing bacteria we don't want to increase. We feed our cows a diet of pasture grasses, hay, and alfalfa, supplemented with chopped corn that uses the entire plant from the ground up - from the stalk to the tassles. The reason this is important is two-fold: effective fiber stimulates rumination, chewing and saliva production and it also maintains normal rumen pH. The way we feed our cows actually decreases the amount of the bacteria we don't want in the milk and supports the good bacteria that increases udder health. Our cows are happy and healthy. The following link is to a scientific study outlining and supporting what is being discussed here. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9197574/
​
Corn silage is our own non-GMO corn planted, grown and harvested by the Curtiss family, stored here on our farm. It includes the corn from the ground up to the tassles so that the cows get what they would if they were foraging - the entire plant. Our corn silage is high in energy and digestibility and provides more fiber than if the cow was eating just the tops of the corn.n plants.
🥛 RAW MILK SALES HAVE BEEN PAUSED 🥛
Transporting Greek Yogurt & Raw Milk in The Heat
​
Keeping raw milk cold is critical to keeping it fresh. Raw milk should always be stored in the refrigerator, not left out on the table or counter. If it does get left out accidentally, it will begin to grow bacteria, thus, shortening the shelf life.
This translates to how the milk should be transported. When it is warmer than 40 degrees the longer it stays in the car, the shorter its shelf life. If it is 75 degrees and the milk (pasteurized or raw) is in your warm car for over an hour, it won't last as long. Pasteurized milk will go bad in two hours in a 70-90 degree car, and will last only an hour if it's over 90 degrees in the trunk.
​
What do we suggest? During warmer times of year bring a cooler and ice packs with you when purchasing yogurt or raw milk. The further you have to travel with it, the more important this is. When raw milk is kept cold it will last 7-10 days and often longer. It really depends on how frequently it is removed from the refrigerator. Greek yogurt will last several weeks until it is opened and then about 3-4 days from first being used. It has no preservatives and active cultures.
.png)
For more information about raw milk, and to support the non-profit Raw Milk Institute or subscribe to their newsletter click on the link below.