Fern's Edge Goat Dairy is a unique family farm in rural Oregon
We all know that our family farms are in peril throughout the United States, but it is even harder to make it as a farmer when you do everything right. I worked as a milker at Fern's Edge Goat Dairy, and I currently work at People's Food Cooperative, where we carry their wonderful raw milk and artisan cheeses. As a community member, and as someone who is intimately familiar with this farm and their practices, I believe that they are experiencing financial trouble precisely because they are doing everything right in an economy that only supports farms that go big and cut corners wherever they can.
Of all the farms out there that need help, why should you contribute to Fern's Edge?
They are the only supplier of raw goat milk to co-ops and small grocers in Oregon. Families who want raw milk but cannot get to a farm to pick it up directly have no other source in our communities.
They treat their goats with affection and respect. All the goats have names, and those who work on the farm are strongly encouraged to put their well-being first. As a milker, I got lots of goat kisses and head rubs! Goats graze in rolling pastures where they have plenty of room to run and play.
They prioritize herd health and high-quality, healthful food for our community. Fern's Edge exceeds minimum Oregon Dairy Association requirements by using a more costly sanitation protocol for their milking equipment that avoids bleach (a big concern for sensitive people). They feed no-spray hay and organic grain, and farm workers have lots of hands-on interaction with the goats to ensure that each animal's health is closely monitored.
What We Need & What You Get
Doing things right simply costs more money. Fern's Edge has no shortage of demand - in fact, they sell every drop of milk and have vendors lined up if they could increase production - but they need to expand certain aspects of their operation in order to save on feed costs and to increase production while ensuring humane conditions for the goats. They currently cannot have any more goats in the dairy pens without overcrowding, and they cannot save on feed and hay because they do not have the storage space for large orders. The cost of feed and hay has skyrocketed in recent years, and many small farmers have been feeling the crunch. If they are unable to buy in bulk, farmers struggle to meet these costs, and this has been a huge financial burden on Fern's Edge, made more difficult because they only bring in high-quality, organic feed and no-spray hay.
In the short term, they need:
- An expanded dairy barn
- More pasture fencing
- A hay barn
- Possibly a new delivery vehicle to replace the aged van with 300,000+ miles
With these changes, Fern's Edge will be much more financially sustainable in this difficult economy. With increased production and streamlined feed sourcing, they will be able to meet community demand and reduce costs per gallon of milk produced, all while maintaining high standards for food quality and humane treatment of the animals.
Please see the sidebar for thank you gifts for contributors!
The Impact
Without Fern's Edge, there is NO raw milk in Oregon's grocery stores. Fern's Edge is a farmstead dairy, meaning that they produce all of the milk on the farm, and all of their cheeses are made on site. This is an expensive way to produce food, but it allows for direct supervision of all aspects of food production and meticulous attention to quality. They are the only Oregon goat dairy licensed to distribute raw milk. Our family farms are the cornerstone of food security for our communities. Four goat dairies in Oregon have closed down over the summer. Without the support of the community, families will not be able to continue to farm. It is our responsibility to nourish those who nourish us.
Oregon's rural communities are struggling, with many relying on timber payments and destructive industries. On the edge of the Willamette National Forest, Fern's Edge employs people on a sustainable farm responsibly producing natural food. We need to support businesses that nourish the land and their communities, or we will lose them. If we can raise the necessary funds, Fern's Edge can expand their production, provide more healthful food to Oregon families, and provide jobs in an area where unemployment is high.
Risks & Challenges
Building new facilities is a big undertaking, but Fern's Edge has some advantages. They have family and community who are enthusiastic and resourceful, and part of the structure for the expanded dairy barn is already in place. They already have some of the necessary building materials and a family member who can take on the actual construction.
Other Ways You Can Help
Please get the word out - share with your friends, post on Facebook, let the folks at your local co-op or grocer know about the campaign. Not everyone is in a position to financially contribute, but we can all let people know about this wonderful farm and the need to support responsible, humane agriculture in our region! Thank you for your support!
