THE RISE OF SOUTHERN CHEESE
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Whole Foods cheese display at film festival |
February 20, 2008
Dear James and Gayle,
Thank you again for the wonderful visit to your farm and for allowing me to include Bonnie Blue Farm in the southern cheese documentary. It was a real challenge to even come close to capturing the beauty of your land but I hope that this will give people a glimpse into a place in America where ideals like hard work and patience are a daily occurrence.
Thank you again for your incredible hospitality and wonderful cheese and I look forward to visiting the farm again sometime in the future.
Sincerely yours,
Matthew Graves
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A VISITOR'S ACCOUNT
A very special blog has been written about a recent weekend visit to the farm. Terrific pictures and descriptions of our daily life. To view the three part blog 'For the Love of Goats' Click here.
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Small Farmer of the Year Video
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Gayle accepts award from Gov. Bredesen |
Tennessee State University in Nashville has a media page on their web site - click here to view a video about Bonnie Blue Farm.
The Bonnie Blue Flag was one of the original Confederate battle flags - listen to the song performed by Tennessee Ernie Ford.
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Bonnie Blue Farm Wins 1st Place
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Pick Tennessee Produts Trade Show Award |
Chefs, specialty food buyers, food writers and critics gathered in Nashville for Pick Tennessee Products Trade Show on Feb. 26th. We were there with a display of our cheeses and plenty of samples. Lots of people stopped to taste the cheese and watch our video presentation about the goats and the farm. At the end of the show awards for the best Tennessee products were announced. Bonnie Blue Farm was chosen as the best, winning first place. Commissioner of Agriculture Ken Givens presented Jim with the pictured award.
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Farmers' Market 2008 Season
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Jim's sister Olga, helping at the Chattanooga Market |
The lengthening days, daffodils blooming, kids arriving - all means one thing, Spring is on the way! And with spring comes the farmers' market season which will start Saturday, April 19th with the Memphis Farmers' Market. We'll be alternating every other Saturday with the Franklin Farmers' Market (starting May 10th) throughout the spring, summer and fall. The Chattanooga Market will reopen under new management this year starting April 27th. See schedule at bottom of page.
We're making some raw milk cheeses now that will be aged at least 60 days (minimum aging time). Look for our Parker, an aged raw milk Gouda that won third place at the American Dairy Goat Assoc. Cheese Competition. Also aging is a raw milk Tomme we've named Tanasi, nutty and full flavored from the rich Nubian milk. There will be lots of the 1st place ADGA feta, some smoked (3rd place) and some marinated in jars of olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes and Italian herbs. And chèvre! Don't forget the fresh, creamy chèvre - logs, plain or rolled in herbs; containers of plain or the very popular garlic & chive. We look forward to seeing our many market friends.
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Turnip Truck Natural Market
There's a great article about natural food grocer John Dyke of The Turnip Truck in east Nashville. Click here to read it. The web site for the store has a good description about the cheeses they sell, ours included, but also information about selecting and serving a cheese course. The Turnip Truck
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Freshly made Parker, Gouda style cheese
We started making a Gouda style cheese last winter and named it Parker after Robert Dru Parker who was born in the early 30's in the log cabin that was located in our pasture - now only the chimney remains.
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Aged Parker
This cheese became the focus of a Christmas family gathering. Read about it on the testimonial page.
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Farm Entrance
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Bonnie Blue Farm Cheese Studio
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Bonnie Blue Farm - Grade A Goat Dairy
In April of 2006 we became the only licensed Grade A goat dairy in Tennessee . We worked for two and a half years constructing and equipping the dairy building; milk parlor, milk room, holding pens, bathroom, and a herdsman's apartment. Then the cheese studio was built, equipped and completed. We were inspected by the Tennessee Dept. of Agriculture and cheesemaking began.
Our dairy herd consists of Nubian and Saanen dairy goats. We participate in American Dairy Goat Association programs for milk production through Dairy Herd Improvement and type via Linear Appraisal. The data from these programs guide us in making breeding choices and selection of replacement stock.
The does are fed free choice alfalfa hay from a local grower. They receive a dairy goat grain ration in the milking parlor and we go for daily walks through the surrounding fields and woods. This gives the goats and the herdsman ample exercise and time to observe the changing scenery and browse which coincides with the seasons. The milk produced is truly the essence of our land.
The milk from the dairy herd is made into various types of fresh and aged cheeses. We offer farm tours for a fee and there is a log cabin available for guests who want a quiet getaway or to experience life on a working dairy.
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Nubian Bucks
We have three Nubian bucks which bring together genetics from several blood lines: Copper Hill, Oak Gold, Misty Knoll's and Kastdemur's with a sprinkling of others contributing. Plus we have many more to choose from through the use of artificial insemination. Nubians are known for high butterfat and combining that with the high producing genetics from sons or sires of Top Ten does will hopefully produce a long lived, superior dairy goat.
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Saanen Bucks
Our Saanen bucks come from American stock. We use as much artificial insemination as possible using Saanen bloodlines chosen because of their use in two well-known herds: Redwood Hill/Companeros and des Ruhigestelle.
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Nubian Does
Our herd was exclusively Nubians in the beginning and we have used many lines over the years. Consistency of well attached udders and long lactations are a challenge in the Nubian breed. Following the lead of Copper Hill we are using Split Creek Abe AT Lincoln via artificial insemination. Copper Hill O'Boy and Bonnie Blue Farm PB Xcaliber are breeding does.
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Saanen Does
In 1999 we purchased our first Saanen from Redwood Hill and although Lightning is no longer with us all but one of the many female progeny from her three daughters are still here. We didn't have a Saanen buck so artificial insemination was how we bred Lightning. Using bucks to increase the butterfat and protein without giving up the high production the Saanen breed is known for, has been our goal. We have tried to recreate some of the genetics of Redwood Hill, whom we admire.
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Goat Milk Cheese for Sale
Our agri-tourism and cheese business has been very well received. Many printed articles, feature films, radio and TV segments about us have introduced our cheese to many customers. We've entered many cheese competitions placing well with several different cheeses. Some of the best exposure has been at the farmers' markets. The movement of buying locally produced, safe, natural and healthy food makes our cheese in high demand. We sell at the Franklin Farmers' Market, Memphis Farmers' Market and Chattanooga Market. Our cheese is available at several Nashville stores, via mail order or on the farm but call first (931) 722-GOAT (4628) to be sure we have what you want.
Follow this link for more information on where to buy our goat cheese.
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Farm Tours
We offer tours of the farm, dairy and cheese making facility subject to our cheesemaking and farmers' market schedule. Small groups of two to ten people are the best size. Cost is $10 per person. Includes cheese tasting. Please call or email to arrange for a day and time. |
Log Cabin Farm Stays
Experience true peace and quiet of the country. Our cozy log cabin is available for your enjoyment. The kitchen is fully equipped. Stay a night or a month-all seasons have their own charm. The goat dairy barn is nearby and cheesemaking takes place in the new cheese studio. There's very limited cell phone coverage but the cabin has wireless satellite internet.
Relax on the front porch and read or watch birds or join in the daily farm activities. Just the right getaway for two people. No pets please-our herd protection dogs do not tolerate other animals on their farm.
Call for cabin availability. Rate: $95 per night includes tax.
931 722-4628 or email tanngoat@wildblue.net |
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2008 Farmers' Market Schedule
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Our next visit will be May 11th, Sunday 11-5pm
The Franklin Farmers' Market 2008 - We'll be there starting May 10th then May 24th and every other Saturday through the season.
If the markets aren't close to you, either order by mail, visit one of the retail stores carrying our cheese or dine at the fine restaurants that feature Bonnie Blue Farm cheese on their menu. See Where to Buy page. Cheese can be purchased on the farm but please call first to insure availability. 931 722-GOAT(4628)
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Testimonials
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