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Bringing Farm-Fresh Milk Delivery Back to Brasher Falls
Ortman Farms is launching an exciting new chapter and we need your help to make it happen. Through our Farm Fresh Fund, we're working to build an on-site micro-creamery that will allow us to pasteurize our raw milk and create fresh bottled milk, cheese, curds, yogurt, and other dairy products, right here on the farm.
With your support, we plan to revive traditional milk delivery service, bringing fresh, farm-processed dairy straight to your doorstep. Our goal is to raise $40,000 to cover stainless steel pasteurization equipment, building renovations, cold storage, sanitation facilities, and upgrades to support up to 75 dairy cows. With funding, we aim to begin processing within 6–12 months.
Currently, there are no on-farm pasteurization operations in our county since the nearest one is over two hours away. Your contribution helps us reconnect our community with real, local dairy—produced, bottled, and delivered with care.
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As summer draws to a close, many families are taking their final vacations before Labor Day and the start of the new school year. While the season has brought its share of hot weather, rainfall has been noticeably scarce. From a farmer's perspective, the lack of precipitation is becoming a serious concern, and if conditions do not improve within the next month, the region may officially be classified as experiencing a drought.
To help conserve moisture and support plant health, it is recommended to water lawns, gardens, and crops during the evening or early morning hours. This practice allows roots to absorb the maximum amount of water before it evaporates in the daytime heat.
Our soybean fields may appear green and healthy, but without adequate rainfall, the pods may not fully develop and jeopardize the potential for a strong yield. The pod fill period, when soybeans form and mature their seeds, is a critical phase that directly impacts overall productivity. To achieve a successful harvest, both ample sunshine and sufficient soil moisture are essential.
Continued growth is key, so we're hoping for favorable weather conditions in the weeks ahead, particularly with a delay in the first frost. The same holds true for our corn fields, which also depend on extended growing time to reach their full potential.
Equally important to our crop management practices is the application of liquid manure, a valuable natural fertilizer in modern agriculture. Liquid manure is created by mixing animal waste, primarily from livestock such as cattle with water, resulting in a nutrient-rich solution that can be easily spread over fields.
This type of manure is an excellent source of essential nutrients, particularly potassium, which plays a key role in crop health and development.
It's important to note the distinction between liquid and solid manure in terms of nutrient composition: solid manure generally contains higher levels of phosphorus, while liquid manure typically has a higher concentration of potassium. This is due to the different ways that the two types of manure are produced. Solid manure is typically made by allowing animals to graze on pasture, while liquid manure is made by mixing animal waste with water.
In some cases, liquid manure is aged or stored in a slurry pit to increase its nutrient concentration before application. When managed properly, liquid manure not only supports plant growth but also promotes sustainable nutrient cycling on the farm.
As a fun fact, Labor Day is a federal holiday observed in both the United States and Canada on the first Monday in September. It honors the hard work and dedication of workers and recognizes their valuable contributions to society.
If you're celebrating with family and friends, don't forget to stock up on our delicious pasture-raised beef and pork. Visit us online at ortmanfarms.com or use our mobile app to place your order with ease.
Until next time, stay safe, and stay connected to the land.