Maid-N-Meadows: Springing Into Action

       Spring is right around the corner and the family is preparing to return to milking and cheese making. We have had a few set backs and challenges though. So as we work to overcome obstacles we hope you will wish us some heavenly encouragement!

      First, the truck on loan from my father was crushed by a tree. It wasn't rainy or stormy. Just an ill timed gust of wind and now we have no way to move around the whey! Plus, it was going to be my oldest's first vehicle. We are currently evaluating the frame to see if it can be rebuilt.
      We have had a busy winter with many hours of work put in here and yon. But we must wait on payment before we can add to our herd for a much needed expansion. After running the numbers we realized that to achieve even a meager living ($2,500 a month for our family of 10) we needed to expand our herd and make more cheese. The upside of that is we can rescue a few more cows who would otherwise be headed for slaughter.

This cow was born and raised on our farm and we can trace her linage through three generations!

       Working away from home has left us with some loose ends at home yet to tie up. Mainly we need to build some gates and put up more fencing for the sheep. It all takes time....too bad that is in limited supply!
      But we have some really great news too! We have two new lambs in our little flock! We would love to add some sheep milk to our cheese making line up. Hopefully we can do some of that next year.

     Also we have a new milker on board and she will be taking on some new responsibilities. We are really excited about her family and their love for animals. That passion equals high standards of care for our girls and if we can't be there, we are glad she can be!
     Which brings us to the next part! Our facility plans have been accepted by the Milk Safety Branch, Waste Water Division, Health Department, and State Plumbing Inspector! Hooray! Thanks to all who have contributed on those plans with their experience, advice, and expertise! We are excited to give it a go! We don't yet know how we will reach around to everything but we are blessed to have the opportunity to try.
       So the game plan is to get back in the facility and make as much cheese as possible! We hope to be at the Kentucky Green Living Fair in Somerset, Kentucky. We are also striving to be at the Hip Donelson Farmer's Market this summer. (The new location sounds really nice!) Hopefully we will add a few more stores to our line-up, so if there are any suggestions on that we would love to hear them! Either way, we hope to see everyone this summer and thank you for all your support!