Over the last couple of months in "The Valley", nature has stirred the country into action. You cannot walk along the access road without seeing families of rabbits, groups of kangaroos and flocks of local bird life. All with that smug look in their eyes... they know its THAT time of the year.
With great seasonal rains this year, our farmers have been able to cover the hills and the dales with green grass. The wildflowers are in bloom and even the less valuable species of Fauna and Flora seem to look much more attractive. Given this great start, our milking herd is in full production and our farmers have timed the introduction of the next generation extremely well. Our calving paddock is a constant carousel of first calf young girls with a sprinkling of older heads to keep things calm. I don't think there is a part of farming that I enjoy more than the monitoring of the calving paddock... Nature working at its productive best.
Young mothers nursing their new arrivals, new babies bouncing and running under and around their nervous mums. This is where the mother and calf bond, it is also where farmer and new milking cow re unite AND its where baby bonds with the farmer...he will substitute as carer and protector of this animal for years to come. If those concerned with animal rights could see this initial bonding, many of their fears would be allayed .
As we move from area to area on the farm, everything seems to be metamorphosising into its next life stage. Cows begin milking, crops begin to fruit everything is as it should be. With Nature doing its best, we at Country Valley must up the anti to make full use of this Spring Flush. We have been hard at work bottleing milk, making our award winning yoghurt and pasteurising and packageing our beautiful cream, so you out in Good Food Land can also enjoy dairy (spring) goodness.
The Real Country Valley
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
This is our way...
Over the last 12- 18 mths I have talked to a lot of people about Country Valley Milk. Most of these people were interested in our story, what we do and the way we do it. However the people that know THINGS tell us "A picture tells a thousand words.." so we thought we would try to show you what Country Valley Milk is all about.... http://vimeo.com/27681361
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Not a "GREENIE" thing... an "AWARENESS" thing
Living in todays "time starved" society, we can sometimes forget some of the important connections that our forefathers held in high esteem. One of these connections is the relationship between the fresh foods you see on the supermarket shelf and the husband and wife. / father and son etc. who put in the hard work to grow / produce these products.
Today we, as consumers, are faced with a couple of very interesting choices. Do we continue to outsource our needs and wants including food , energy, education and our own well being.... OR...
We can choose to control our destinies.. this will require interest, caring and commitment to the cause. We must rebuild the CONNECTIONS... to each other.
Where does this change come from ???? THE HEART!!!
The "HIPPIE" generation first highlighted our ability to turn back the clock and insist on a biological focus on food production and farming methods. Today we may not all have a backyard to grow some vegies and we certainly dont have the time..OR DO WE?? A pot of herbs, a tub of cherry tomatoes or a few leaves of spinach. However we can all "Google" organic foods, farmers markets and fresh food markets...There are 100's and Im sure there are some close to you.
If growing or searching the parks is not your thing, read up on the benefits of fresh produce. Learn about the effects your choices in your supermarket have on the welfare of your "Country Cousins". Try to understand that for every perfect piece of fruit grown, there is probably a bucket full of wasted pieces, but the farmer still spends the same time and money on his total production... The supermarket man decides what he pays for and what he rejects. Spend some time at the Flemington markets... the amount of rejected produce is huge, but only because we demand "PERFECT" specimens.
Today's environmentally astute consumers are purchasing more and more foods that are seen to offer a greater "upstream" benefit to their families, the farmers and in the end the landscape. They are seeking animal products (beef,chicken,pork etc) from higher welfare producers. They are mindful of "Sustainably" caught fish and can understand the need for farmed salmon and trout. When it comes to manufactured extras ie pastry, noodles and sauces, make sure the ingredients are from a higher welfare origin... free range eggs and organic stock.
This new wave of consumers are asking, or demanding, our retail sector cater for an expanding number of us who seek a SUSTAINABLE balance between our needs and our wants.This group are demanding..
We all need to put our collective MUSCLE...both mental and physical into being more self resourcing. We need to see the shortfall NOW and do something or maybe the people we are so BUSY looking after will suffer far more than they should.
Think about your purchases, do your best and ..Keep up the GOOD FOOD FIGHT !
Today we, as consumers, are faced with a couple of very interesting choices. Do we continue to outsource our needs and wants including food , energy, education and our own well being.... OR...
We can choose to control our destinies.. this will require interest, caring and commitment to the cause. We must rebuild the CONNECTIONS... to each other.
Where does this change come from ???? THE HEART!!!
The "HIPPIE" generation first highlighted our ability to turn back the clock and insist on a biological focus on food production and farming methods. Today we may not all have a backyard to grow some vegies and we certainly dont have the time..OR DO WE?? A pot of herbs, a tub of cherry tomatoes or a few leaves of spinach. However we can all "Google" organic foods, farmers markets and fresh food markets...There are 100's and Im sure there are some close to you.
If growing or searching the parks is not your thing, read up on the benefits of fresh produce. Learn about the effects your choices in your supermarket have on the welfare of your "Country Cousins". Try to understand that for every perfect piece of fruit grown, there is probably a bucket full of wasted pieces, but the farmer still spends the same time and money on his total production... The supermarket man decides what he pays for and what he rejects. Spend some time at the Flemington markets... the amount of rejected produce is huge, but only because we demand "PERFECT" specimens.
Today's environmentally astute consumers are purchasing more and more foods that are seen to offer a greater "upstream" benefit to their families, the farmers and in the end the landscape. They are seeking animal products (beef,chicken,pork etc) from higher welfare producers. They are mindful of "Sustainably" caught fish and can understand the need for farmed salmon and trout. When it comes to manufactured extras ie pastry, noodles and sauces, make sure the ingredients are from a higher welfare origin... free range eggs and organic stock.
This new wave of consumers are asking, or demanding, our retail sector cater for an expanding number of us who seek a SUSTAINABLE balance between our needs and our wants.This group are demanding..
- Environmental Integrity from producers
- Economic Viability from our retail sector
- Social Equity to allow all fellow consumers to reap the benefits of this new awareness.
We all need to put our collective MUSCLE...both mental and physical into being more self resourcing. We need to see the shortfall NOW and do something or maybe the people we are so BUSY looking after will suffer far more than they should.
Think about your purchases, do your best and ..Keep up the GOOD FOOD FIGHT !
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Aren't People Grand !!!!
Over the passed weekend ,Country Valley sponsored an exhibit at the Camden Country Show. We gave some local stall holders the opportunity to present their goods to the wider community. The weather was perfect, and a huge crowd turned out for the Friday and Saturday event.
Country Valley made milkshakes to give our show goers a treat that many of them had almost forgotten about...cold ,creamy milk, icecream and their favourite flavouring. The response was overwhelming for my very dedicated assistants. Crowds of people and huge plaudits for THEIR service and for "The Milk". Along with the shakes, we tried to highlight our award winning LUSH yoghurt (Champion Yoghurt 2011 Sydney Royal Show). I must have presented tens of litres of yoghurt to anyone silly enough to listen to my story of our 2 ladies working almost without mechanical intervention. Stirring, carrying and scooping yoghurt all day.
Let me say , it was a real pleasure to interact with so many of our customers and prospective customers. Everyone took on board the Country Valley story, and they gave so much positive feedback on our products that I'm set for ideas at the next 10 management meetings...thank you all very much.
In my spare time ( after milk and yoghurt) I presented some cheese samples from 2 very small producers. Most people had not heard of the companies... HIGHLAND ORGANICS from Moss Vale and SMALL COW FARM from Robertson on the southern highlands. Highland Organics make a variety of firm cheeses very well suited to any plate at any table. Cheeses such as Pecorino, Tomme and a beautiful Pepper cheese proved crowd favourites while Small Cow Farm produced some of the very best soft mould cheeses I have had the pleasure to put on my table. A lush Camembert and a "Wicked Blue" that had cheese experts across the showground licking their collective lips.
Once again the response from the public was GREAT... people took advantage of the opportunity to try (and enjoy) a range of cheeses that they have never seen, even though they were ALL produced less than 1 hour away from the showground. Almost everyone picked their individual favourite and either bought a block or took contact details of where they can buy some.Wollondilly Farmgate Online, Local produce online - you can taste ...
There is something about giving service and receiving praise from strangers. People are basically good at heart and most recognise and appreciate hard work. To all those people who came in and talked to me or the girls on the stall, I say "thank you" and ... keep up the GOOD FOOD fight.
Country Valley made milkshakes to give our show goers a treat that many of them had almost forgotten about...cold ,creamy milk, icecream and their favourite flavouring. The response was overwhelming for my very dedicated assistants. Crowds of people and huge plaudits for THEIR service and for "The Milk". Along with the shakes, we tried to highlight our award winning LUSH yoghurt (Champion Yoghurt 2011 Sydney Royal Show). I must have presented tens of litres of yoghurt to anyone silly enough to listen to my story of our 2 ladies working almost without mechanical intervention. Stirring, carrying and scooping yoghurt all day.
Let me say , it was a real pleasure to interact with so many of our customers and prospective customers. Everyone took on board the Country Valley story, and they gave so much positive feedback on our products that I'm set for ideas at the next 10 management meetings...thank you all very much.
In my spare time ( after milk and yoghurt) I presented some cheese samples from 2 very small producers. Most people had not heard of the companies... HIGHLAND ORGANICS from Moss Vale and SMALL COW FARM from Robertson on the southern highlands. Highland Organics make a variety of firm cheeses very well suited to any plate at any table. Cheeses such as Pecorino, Tomme and a beautiful Pepper cheese proved crowd favourites while Small Cow Farm produced some of the very best soft mould cheeses I have had the pleasure to put on my table. A lush Camembert and a "Wicked Blue" that had cheese experts across the showground licking their collective lips.
Once again the response from the public was GREAT... people took advantage of the opportunity to try (and enjoy) a range of cheeses that they have never seen, even though they were ALL produced less than 1 hour away from the showground. Almost everyone picked their individual favourite and either bought a block or took contact details of where they can buy some.Wollondilly Farmgate Online, Local produce online - you can taste ...
There is something about giving service and receiving praise from strangers. People are basically good at heart and most recognise and appreciate hard work. To all those people who came in and talked to me or the girls on the stall, I say "thank you" and ... keep up the GOOD FOOD fight.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Who's Up for it ???
Like most guys these days, I have spent many hours in one supermarket or another. Recently I took the time to look critically at the layout, the lighting and the placement of the products.This sudden interest was sparked by the running battle we, as milk producers, are having with the grocery giants. I walked each aisle and took in the scene I was presented with.
The access was excellent with wide entry points and a seemingly over necessary number of 4 wheeled " two year olds" (They go just where they want to). As I moved through "Fruit and Veg" I acknowledged the brighter lighting and the very organised rows of PERFECT produce. I thought about my loving efforts to grow these specimens at home... mine taste great but never look this good. Fruit of every type...no seasonality here, summer,winter and spring produce next to each other on the shelf. What a choice !
The same can be said of the butchery. Lamb ,pork and beef of every style and cut. Spring lamb (in March) organic chicken and WAGU !! I could only hope they are paying the producers a premium to put such a selection on our collective plate. Then there was the fish. Was this selection taken in a sustainable way?... The adverts said...YES , but what about the freshly thawed ones from Indonesia , Vietnam and some from the Indian Ocean ???
By now I was beginning to feel a little like the young child at the check out, with all the lollies and chocolates at face height. Did I need some marketing guru to furtively convince me to buy , buy, buy ?
Don't I know what I want and understand what I need ?
I paid for the things I needed, acknowledged the efforts of the staff to keep the shelves looking impressive, then I left.
The next Saturday morning I found myself at the local Farmers Market. Walking around the stalls , there was no MUZAC playing over a sound system, just 2 ladies with guitars. As I approached each stall, I was greeted with a smile and an offer of assistance. I could ask the producer a question about timing, processes and ingredients. And I could feel the excitement each of these producers held for their products...there was none of this in the sterile monolith from earlier in the week.
At the "Fruit and Veg. " stall , I had to smile at the situation... dirt floor, only natural sunshine on my back and dare I say it..blemishes on some of the tomatoes (just like the ones I grow each summer). I filled my recyclable bag with the fruits of the labours of this family run stall. I wanted Qld Blue pumpkin but could only get Butternut.No big deal. I asked for some boc choy and the lady passed me a bunch and asked if I've ever used Fennel. I said "No" and she threw me a knob and told me to try it and buy some more next week. I know this could not happen INSTORE.
A similar thing happened at the Olive stall. I only knew the name of the Kalamata variety. When I asked for them the stallholder presented me with a taste plate of 4 different varieties and styles. He explained the idiosyncrasies of each and suggested the style to suit my menu.. I felt very informed when I served them to my guests that evening.
After a very leisurely walk around the first half of the market, the smell of freshly brewed coffee sent my olfactory nerve into arrest. A hot Macciato and a sourdough pretzel , just what I needed, then back to finish my shopping. No queues , no red light specials... just clean fresh air ,smiling faces and a feeling of DOING THE RIGHT THING.... for Me , for the Community and I hope for Producers across the country.
May I suggest to you... make the time, find a farmers market in your area and FEEL the difference this type of shopping can make to your psyche. Buy fresh, eat well and.... FEEL GOOD !
The access was excellent with wide entry points and a seemingly over necessary number of 4 wheeled " two year olds" (They go just where they want to). As I moved through "Fruit and Veg" I acknowledged the brighter lighting and the very organised rows of PERFECT produce. I thought about my loving efforts to grow these specimens at home... mine taste great but never look this good. Fruit of every type...no seasonality here, summer,winter and spring produce next to each other on the shelf. What a choice !
The same can be said of the butchery. Lamb ,pork and beef of every style and cut. Spring lamb (in March) organic chicken and WAGU !! I could only hope they are paying the producers a premium to put such a selection on our collective plate. Then there was the fish. Was this selection taken in a sustainable way?... The adverts said...YES , but what about the freshly thawed ones from Indonesia , Vietnam and some from the Indian Ocean ???
By now I was beginning to feel a little like the young child at the check out, with all the lollies and chocolates at face height. Did I need some marketing guru to furtively convince me to buy , buy, buy ?
Don't I know what I want and understand what I need ?
I paid for the things I needed, acknowledged the efforts of the staff to keep the shelves looking impressive, then I left.
The next Saturday morning I found myself at the local Farmers Market. Walking around the stalls , there was no MUZAC playing over a sound system, just 2 ladies with guitars. As I approached each stall, I was greeted with a smile and an offer of assistance. I could ask the producer a question about timing, processes and ingredients. And I could feel the excitement each of these producers held for their products...there was none of this in the sterile monolith from earlier in the week.
At the "Fruit and Veg. " stall , I had to smile at the situation... dirt floor, only natural sunshine on my back and dare I say it..blemishes on some of the tomatoes (just like the ones I grow each summer). I filled my recyclable bag with the fruits of the labours of this family run stall. I wanted Qld Blue pumpkin but could only get Butternut.No big deal. I asked for some boc choy and the lady passed me a bunch and asked if I've ever used Fennel. I said "No" and she threw me a knob and told me to try it and buy some more next week. I know this could not happen INSTORE.
A similar thing happened at the Olive stall. I only knew the name of the Kalamata variety. When I asked for them the stallholder presented me with a taste plate of 4 different varieties and styles. He explained the idiosyncrasies of each and suggested the style to suit my menu.. I felt very informed when I served them to my guests that evening.
After a very leisurely walk around the first half of the market, the smell of freshly brewed coffee sent my olfactory nerve into arrest. A hot Macciato and a sourdough pretzel , just what I needed, then back to finish my shopping. No queues , no red light specials... just clean fresh air ,smiling faces and a feeling of DOING THE RIGHT THING.... for Me , for the Community and I hope for Producers across the country.
May I suggest to you... make the time, find a farmers market in your area and FEEL the difference this type of shopping can make to your psyche. Buy fresh, eat well and.... FEEL GOOD !
Saturday, March 5, 2011
An Eye to the Future...
One of the traps a small business can fall into, is that everything is too hard or too expensive.. However don't forget to concider the hidden costs of NOT looking "Outside the Square".
Earlier this year at Country Valley, we decided to include two goals to our 2011 business plan. The first was to try to develop an environment where team members would feel that this was "more than a job". Country Valley could be a place of WORK.. LEARNING and (Enjoyment). We set out to establish a training regime that would prepare our workers for the ever changing environment we find ourselves struggling to compete in. We placed three of our leading team members in a course that would lead to a cert. 4 Front line Management Course.
With the knowledge these staff gain, we hope to narrow the gap between Decision and Fruition . We hope that there will be a greater understanding of Country Valley's goals and a stronger sense of ownership in those goals.... Only time will tell, but we feel its worth the investment.
On the subject of investment in the future, Country Valley has "removed a leg" in its efforts to lower our CARBON FOOTPRINT. As from Friday 11th March, we will be connected to "The Grid". with our solar power. We will return power to the system and in turn lower our overall energy consumption. We see this as another opportunity to follow our long set ethos of a more sustainable work place.
With the growing pressures of $2.00 milk and competition from Internationally owned dairy companies, Country Valley sees its future in providing award winning products with low food miles, a very small carbon footprint and all this produced by involved staff who can take pride in the hours they spend at Country Valley Milk
THIS CAN ONLY BENEFIT THE COMPANY, THE STAFF AND THE COUNTRY !!!!
Earlier this year at Country Valley, we decided to include two goals to our 2011 business plan. The first was to try to develop an environment where team members would feel that this was "more than a job". Country Valley could be a place of WORK.. LEARNING and (Enjoyment). We set out to establish a training regime that would prepare our workers for the ever changing environment we find ourselves struggling to compete in. We placed three of our leading team members in a course that would lead to a cert. 4 Front line Management Course.
With the knowledge these staff gain, we hope to narrow the gap between Decision and Fruition . We hope that there will be a greater understanding of Country Valley's goals and a stronger sense of ownership in those goals.... Only time will tell, but we feel its worth the investment.
On the subject of investment in the future, Country Valley has "removed a leg" in its efforts to lower our CARBON FOOTPRINT. As from Friday 11th March, we will be connected to "The Grid". with our solar power. We will return power to the system and in turn lower our overall energy consumption. We see this as another opportunity to follow our long set ethos of a more sustainable work place.
With the growing pressures of $2.00 milk and competition from Internationally owned dairy companies, Country Valley sees its future in providing award winning products with low food miles, a very small carbon footprint and all this produced by involved staff who can take pride in the hours they spend at Country Valley Milk
THIS CAN ONLY BENEFIT THE COMPANY, THE STAFF AND THE COUNTRY !!!!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
What it means to us...
If you follow Country Valley facebook or this blog, you probably know that Country Valley Milk was very successful at the recent Sydney Royal Cheese and Dairy show (2011). We received Champion ribbon award for our Lush Natural Yoghurt and a Champion Award for the best milk ( Country Valley Organic Lite ). As well as winning the Most Successful Milk Exhibitor .
To a VERY small processing business , this means that somebody recognised that although our labels were hand done and our tubs were filled by two very dedicated ladies or that someone had to physically place each bottle onto the filler line.... your end product was as good OR better than the output of many ,multi million dollar processing plants across the state
To us , that is the golden handshake for our paid (and unpaid) labours day in and day out. If you put a product out in a small community and it is not 100% you get the feedback very quickly... When we receive these accolades the whole community reacts. People we dont know phone,email and talk to us on facebook. They relate their story AND they stand up and be recognised as a Country Valley customer.To all these people we say CONGRATULATIONS, because they already knew what the judges just found out... the products are premium quality and we get them to you with low food miles and at a sustainable price for you , us and THE FARMER.
Everyone one of us likes to think our work hours are not just CLOCK IN/ CLOCK OUT. Awards like the ones we received, let everyone on the factory floor feel their effort has been justified. They all physically touched each bottle and it was their efforts to do their job properly that saw these rewards. At each morning tea and every lunch break, the topic of awards comes up.... "I made that tub of yoghurt." , "I bottled that batch of milk.."
Can your job give you that opportunity? We feel very chuffed by the whole experience.
If we could ask for any flow-on for these awards, I think we would ask that the public stop and ask themselves... Do I want to give my family the best? Does the multi national company I currently buy from have my childs and my country's future in mind? DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR! Go to your local farmers market, talk to the producers and buy products that are made with the care and excitement you put into your young childs birthday cake. They and WE need your support to continue to fight the good fight against our huge corporate competitors .
To a VERY small processing business , this means that somebody recognised that although our labels were hand done and our tubs were filled by two very dedicated ladies or that someone had to physically place each bottle onto the filler line.... your end product was as good OR better than the output of many ,multi million dollar processing plants across the state
To us , that is the golden handshake for our paid (and unpaid) labours day in and day out. If you put a product out in a small community and it is not 100% you get the feedback very quickly... When we receive these accolades the whole community reacts. People we dont know phone,email and talk to us on facebook. They relate their story AND they stand up and be recognised as a Country Valley customer.To all these people we say CONGRATULATIONS, because they already knew what the judges just found out... the products are premium quality and we get them to you with low food miles and at a sustainable price for you , us and THE FARMER.
Everyone one of us likes to think our work hours are not just CLOCK IN/ CLOCK OUT. Awards like the ones we received, let everyone on the factory floor feel their effort has been justified. They all physically touched each bottle and it was their efforts to do their job properly that saw these rewards. At each morning tea and every lunch break, the topic of awards comes up.... "I made that tub of yoghurt." , "I bottled that batch of milk.."
Can your job give you that opportunity? We feel very chuffed by the whole experience.
If we could ask for any flow-on for these awards, I think we would ask that the public stop and ask themselves... Do I want to give my family the best? Does the multi national company I currently buy from have my childs and my country's future in mind? DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR! Go to your local farmers market, talk to the producers and buy products that are made with the care and excitement you put into your young childs birthday cake. They and WE need your support to continue to fight the good fight against our huge corporate competitors .
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