hazon

 

The Hazon Food Conference was held at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, CA, on December 25th - 28th. It brought together over 550 people to discuss contemporary jewish food issues. How do we grow our food, how do prepare our food, how do we buy our food, and how do we eat our food?

The momentum is growing, food issues are taking a place at the table of what we are as jews. Being that these issues aren't solely jewish it is encouraging that we as a people are doing our best to be a light in this movement.

One of my focuses in coming to the conference was to introduce ADVA Dairy to folks who haven't heard of us. This was successful. I received a tremendous amount of positive feedback on what we are doing and offers of help to continue growing. I also came to share the realization I have had as a dairy farmer. This insight is that dairy produces meat. As we breed our does every season to replenish the milk supply we are too gifted many new goats. Of these new goats many tend to be male and the need for male goats on a dairy farm is low. These male goats are raised on pasture till the fall/winter at which time they are transformed into meat. I feel it is my responsibility to raise this awareness so consumers are allowed to make educated decisions on how they feed themselves.

The sessions that spoke most to me revolved around meat. Who grows it, how do they grow it, how do they transform it into meat, and what is kosher? To have the opportunity to hear Rav Mandel of the OU (head mashgiach in national slaughterhouses) sitting at the table with Rabbi Morris Allen from Magen T'zedek speak honestly to the issues of workers' right and ethical meat was extremely powerful.

The picture on the left is of me embracing two of my mentors. Rabbi Jacob Fine (Left) and The Housatonicer Rebbe, Shamu Sadeh. Both are pioneers, teachers, farmers, and mentches. The second picture is of me taking notes of questions asked by participants during my panel, Beyond the Supermarket: Alternative Meat Production. Deep gratitude to Sabrina "queen bee" Malach for the photos.

billy yosef bob ben billy bob

billy's time visiting the ladies came to a close. we hope that he has blessed us with healthy and strong kids to arrive five months from now. i've returned billy yosef bob ben billy bob to his home at coldstream farm in kent, ct.. stay tuned from the next drop in the pail.

shechiyanu v'keemanu l'zman hazeh

i am honored to share with you what is transforming within ADVA dairy. we began as a drop in the pond two years ago with the purchase of the first goats and now we are a small yet mighty herd of 10. in the last two years much has transpired. as it stands we have moved down the hill, and we now share our home with the ADAMAH goats on the east side of lake miriam (http://www.isabellafreedman.org/).

ill be juggling posts of what was and what is.

drop

we all are given opportunities to leave our surroundings better than we found them. some of us make a big splash as we jump into the pool of life as others tread lightly. nonetheless each ripple of our actions extend beyond our horizon.

for this we must be grateful.