Raw Milk
Figured this could go here or general or the personal section -- so if it gets moved so be it!
Part of the reason for our move was so we could be closer to our food products. Many reasons for being "localvore". Today we are going to get a share in a cow for raw milk. Raw milk is legal in Illinois, can be sold to the public but we are doing this as something we believe in (the share system can be used in states that don't allow commercial sales of raw milk). Local, less traveled, less processed, "craft" items. The farmer is very local to us -- maybe 5 miles in a straight line? He is retiring from commercial operation and wants to keep a few of the "ladies" as basically dairy pets. We will pay $100/year as a share, then $35 a month, for one gallon per week plus the member's price on additional milk should we want. Yikes! I know, I can buy Kroger milk for $2.75ish. And maybe some of it will average out with the Hubby buying half gallons of heavy cream at Costco for like $15. But again, this is something we believe in.
Hubby has never been exposed to what I call "milk that needs to be shaken".
Right now we don't do much dairy as milk. I do put it in my tea or coffee. We eat a lot of cheese, and maybe we will try some soft cheeses.
Hubby does want to start making Kefir, and the farming has the grains to share. I might start making homemade yogurt instead of buying prepared.
Any other ideas/comments? Raw milk is a personal choice, at other points in my life I have not sought it out.