Back in August I posted an entry about the dearth of farmers in our fair region offering a cow share program so we can all have access to raw milk. I talked about the antiquated and and uneducated laws in the state of Michigan prohibiting the sale of raw milk at Oryana and all retail outlets, and that the only way to legally obtain it is to buy into a cow share program where you actually purchase (a part of) a cow and pay the farmer to take care of your cow. While visiting the new indoor farmer’s market at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons (Building 50 of old State Hospital) this Saturday, I spoke with Eddie Keim of Grazing Acres Farm. He and his wife Arlene are now offering a cow share program.

Jersey cow

They are still finalizing the details of the operation but you can call them (info below) or visit them at the market on Saturday. (Every Saturday 10-2) They do intensive grazing in the summer and do not use hormones or GM feed for their animals. There will be a one-time charge for the life of the cow (about 6 years average) plus a weekly fee of $12 for the care of the cow. For that you get 2 and 1/2 gallons of milk, which comes out to $4.80 per gallon of milk.

They are considering drop-off points in T.C. and possibly other areas depending on demand. So I hope they will find enough interested people to make it worth their while to make the trip. If enough people sign up then it will be an incentive to find a convenient pick-up site and time. In the meantime, let’s hope that the State of Michigan wakes up and follows the lead of other states like California where you can walk into a store like Oryana and grab a container of raw milk or cream and take it home and enjoy it and reap the benefits of a perfect whole food.

Contact info for cow shares:

Eddie and Arlene Keim
Grazing Acres Farm
18540 50th Ave
Marion MI 49665
Phone: 231-743-0005