Hi Folks...

I wanted to give y'all an update on the goings-on here at the farm...

First, thanks for all the responses regarding continuing with the
glass packaging of our milk vs. going with plastic. My initial
inclination had been to change to plastic, but I wanted to take into
consideration the wants of customers...and you overwhelmingly gave the
nod to plastic.

For those few folks that expressed reservations on the use of plastic
packaging, I want you to know that your concerns were not discounted
out of hand. The single argument given against plastic was the
possibility of off-gassing of toxic materials from plastic, and I did
a goodly amount of research on the issue, and found two main items
that support the use of food grade plastic jugs:

First, while there has been considerable evidence that some plastics
DO off gas carcinogens and other toxic chemicals, there has been
nothing that shows food grade plastic does so. The plastic in milk
jugs is #2HDPE, which contains no Bisphenol-A, the off-gassing
culprit. Additionally, off-gassing usually occurs at temperatures
well above that of milk.

Also, they are 100% recyclable, usually turned into plastic wood,
something I'm not fond of but which is an alternative to wood treated
with CCA wood preservative, another carcinogen.

Next, a customer has asked some questions regarding casein in milk.

All milk has casein. Roughly a third of protein in milk is
casein...but not all casein is the same. The different casein is
sometimes referred to as type A1 and type A2.

A1 casein has been linked to Type 1 diabetes, autism, heart disease,
and schizophrenia. Consumption of A2 casein has demonstrated a
dramatic lowering of the propensity towards these issues.

Some species of mammals, like cattle, can be either A1 or A2,
depending on breed generally, and the specific animal, while other
species, such as goats, sheep, camels, and buffalo to name a few, are
ALWAYS A2.

For more complete information on A1 vs A2 milk, do a google search on
"a1 vs. a2 milk".

Now for news specific to our products here at Thornberry Village
Homestead.

First, we have milk.

Lots of milk.

We are overflowing with milk...to the point that we are having to dump
20-30 gallons of milk each week, as it is not sold. The chickens and
dogs are thrilled with that, but it's really hurting the farms' finances.

So, if you have been meaning to contact us for raw goat's milk, NOW is
the time!

There are several ways to get our milk:

Our roadside stand, in Tate, GA, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 1PM
to 6PM. Please call or email us (email is preferred) by 6PM on
Wednesday to turn in your weekends' order.

The Jasper Farmer's Market, Saturday mornings through October, from
7:30AM to 12:30PM. Again, please order for pickup by 6PM Wednesday.

I hope to soon announce a pick-up point in Canton, GA, on days and
time to be announced.

Also, I have a few customers in Alpharetta who have expressed an
interest in forming a driving co-op to come to Jasper to pick up milk
weekly. So far, there are not enough folks I know of to make it worth
your while...but a couple more would work. Five folks, each making
the drive once every five weeks, would make it workable. If you are
interested, let me know and I'll put each of you in touch with each
other so you can find out if you want to do it.

Well...time to make some Feta cheese...talk to y'all later! Have a
GREAT day!

Bob Hayles
Thornberry Village Homestead
Jasper, GA
706.692.7004

Thornberry Village Homestead...a small goat dairy, owned by God,
managed by Bob and Tyler.