Hannah & Hodil 2009
We are a very small farm in western Pennsylvania. We raise American Milking Devon cattle for dairy and beef. Our aim is to reintroduce an extraordinary eating experience while providing a simple, joyful life for our animals.
We selected this breed not because it is trendy or because the cows are so unusually beautiful (which they are), but because they are the best of all worlds; a high quality beef cow with simple needs that also happens to produce extremely rich milk perfect for butter & cheese.
This now critically endangered breed contributed much to the development of the original colonies. It would not be an understatement to suggest that the early settlers would not likely have thrived without help from an early shipment of these hardy cattle. The temperament and physical attributes of Milking Devons was perfect for small, diversified farms who needed nourishing milk, good beef and agile draft animals.
Unfortunately, the very qualities that made them so valuable on small farms made them ill-suited for modern factory style farming. We are of the belief that profitability is more important than productivity. Choosing American Milking Devon cattle is key to our success; Milking Devons enable us to keep just one herd of cows for both the highest quality milk and premium grass-fed beef.
As the future of our food becomes less and less certain, it is critically important to protect the genetic diversity of our livestock and seeds to insure the adaptability of our food supply. Although most Americans are unaware; small farmers with self-sufficient diversified farming systems provide an important food insurance policy to America today. They are the last true source of free choice available to American eaters.
We call our farm a modern heritage foodstead to describe our blending of old ways with modern ones. The foodstead part refers to our choice to sell food – not commodity products – directly to those seeking healthy, non-industrial, humanely raised beef and dairy products.
While this may seem naive to some, by striving to leave nothing wasted and create a perfect circle of thrift we are able to retain a nimbleness that industrial style farming cannot. This way, we can leave the land in better condition than when we found it, nourish friends and family with memorable food and make more from less. We hope you’ll agree….
