Simply delicious – Feta Cheese

I first learned how to make Feta cheese at the WSU Cheesemaking Shortcourse that I obtained a scholarship to attend in 2009. Feta is an interesting and unique cheese to make, yet simple enough for beginners to make at home using household supplies and just a few ingredients. Feta production starts by gently warming milk …

Extra creamy – Cream Cheese

I wish I had tried making cream cheese years ago - it's so easy to make and really delicious! INGREDIENTS: 2 cups whole milk 2 cups heavy whipping cream 2 Tbsp. cultured buttermilk (or 1/8 tsp. Flora Danica culture) 1 drop liquid rennet in ¼ cup cool water ¼ tsp. sea salt Warm the milk …

Milk House Updates

Over the last couple years, we've been upgrading our milk house facilities. We went from one plastic utility tub to this great stainless sink configuration, all pretty much second-hand equipment that we refurbished. Stainless steel sink - purchased for $75 off Craigslist, came with multiple faucets. Dad added legs and plumbing, dad and Jay attached …

Getting Winter Butter to Churn in a Cold Climate

Those that have been around me these past months may have heard about my frustration with getting butter to churn this year. What's different? The weather - Due to a drought, we had to feed hay all summer to our cows. That changes the composition of the butterfat. Usually, I make easy butter all summer …

Laundry Soap that’ll Clean Farm Clothes

A few years ago, I switched from purchasing laundry soap to making my own. The price of soap kept increasing and by making my own, I save a small fortune each year!Jay grew up using Kirk's Castile Soap on the farm, washing cows for shows. I purchased him a box of soap (48 bars) as …

Increasing Milk Production

While Maintaining Health in a Fresh Cow Briar Rose was due to calve soon... And we wanted her to milk more than she did in her first lactation, where she peaked at 3 gallons per day. Apparently our goal of breeding moderately producing cows is successful... Now we need to head back the other direction …

Whole Milk Ricotta

If you have ever made real whey ricotta, you'll know it's deliciously smooth and tasty, but the yield from 2 gallons of whey may be as little as a generous tablespoon! Whole Milk Ricotta variations provide a much greater yield without much change in quality. I prefer a combination of milk and cream, which creates …

Going to OAD Milking

A few days ago, my parents invited us to their house for dinner. We were near the end of a game of Mexican Train Dominoes, around 8 PM, and decided to stay and finish the game. We could milk a little late that night...right? ZAP, the lights flickered then died. Well, shoot. We are out …

A Happier New Year

We're excited to start off the new year with some exciting news! We published a book: Raising a Dairy Heifer Successfully  Available for purchase on Amazon. Please consider leaving a review if you read our book. We would appreciate that. The book is laid out as a timeline of the first two years of a …

In Love with Scamorza Cheese

I have made mozzarella for the better part of 15 years, but just a few years ago, I learned about scamorza, an aged mozzarella, by tasting some made by Ferndale Farmstead. As I do not live nearby Ferndale anymore, I really wanted to learn how to make scamorza at home. Scamorza, in Italian, apparently means …