Provider Farms is an ISDA-certified raw milk producer that has been providing delicious, wholesome raw milk for many years to Treasure Valley residents.
They are a family-run operation with a lot of heart and an excellent ethos. We are lucky to have them serving our city. Keep reading to learn about how their farm operates and see cute pictures of their cows and goats!
Grass-Fed Raw Cow's Milk from Provider Farms
The raw, unpasteurized cow's milk at Provider Farms comes from their herd of Jersey cows, a breed known for their rich and delicious milk. These cows are well taken care of:
- Fed only non-GMO feed
- Continual access to pesticide-free pasture
- Fed a portion of grain during milking time (This helps them to stand still during milking and allows them to get the vitamins and minerals that they need to produce healthy milk.)
- Free choice access to kelp, along with non-GMO alfalfa hay fed out in the pasture
- No shots, hormones, or hot feed
The cows are milked twice a day to ensure customers have the freshest milk possible. Milking twice a day also helps increase milk production naturally. (Some farms give shots, hormones or hot feed to increase milk production, but not at Provider Farms.)
There are two cows in every milking batch, so while one cow is being milked the other is being prepped. Every cows knows her name and order in the milking queue, and seems to enjoy her routine.
The slow-batch process means that your milk is retrieved carefully and methodically, with attention to both the milk and the animal. This is widely different from other commercial operations where large numbers of cows are all milked at the same time.
After every batch, the milk is dumped, brought to the processing building, strained, and then chilled in ice water.
Grass-Fed Raw Goat's Milk from Provider Farms
The raw, unpasteurized goat's milk at Provider Farms comes from their Alpine and Saanen goats. These free-roaming goats are rotated on pasture. Like the cows, the goats are naturally and raised:- Fed only non-GMO feed
- Continual access to pesticide-free pasture
- Fed a portion of grain during milking time (This helps them to stand still during milking and allows them to get the vitamins and minerals that they need to produce healthy milk.)
- Free access to goat mineral during the day
- No shots, hormones, or hot feed
At Provider Farms, Boer meat goats provide land management and weed eating as an eco-friendly alternative to chemicals and mowing. The land and the goats benefit from grazing. The Boer goats get taken out twice a day to graze with a herder on horseback.
Milking the goats is a similar process to cow milking, but there are four goats in each batch, and they are milked two at a time. The goats don't know their order in line, but they do enjoy milking time!
Proper Handling of Raw Milk
Raw milk is delicious and nourishing. It is an amazing product that has many natural benefits.
However, because it is real raw milk, straight from the cow, it can spoil if not taken care of properly. So here are some simple guidelines to help you out:
- Your milk is transported to you at temperatures below 40 degrees F.
- The milking and bottling date is written in sharpie on the lid.
- Raw milk should last at least a week in your fridge but the sooner you drink it the better.
- Keep your milk in the fridge, ideally in the back where it is the coldest.
- Don't leave raw milk sitting on your table. Put the lid back on and get it back in the fridge.
If you ever have a question about a Provider Farms dairy product, you can contact them from their seller profile.
Milk, Yogurt, Butter & More
Some of our most popular items come from Provider Farms, including their raw milk yogurt, goat's milk or cow's milk butter, and fresh cream. >> Browse all dairy items from Provider Farms.
Raw Greek Yogurt | Grass-Fed Jersey Cows Unpasteurized
Plain Greek yogurt made from raw cow's milk. Delicious and healthy! Available in 12 oz or 32 oz.
Raw Butter | Grass-Fed Jersey Cows Unpasteurized
Raw unsalted butter, delicious and homemade, from our Jersey cream!
Raw Milk | Grass-Fed Jersey Cows Unpasteurized
Raw cow's milk from Jersey cows -- creamy and delicous!
