Cheese, Cows & Spring Planting 5.13.26
Between planting season, calves arriving, classes filling up, and Gertie getting her annual “spa day,” it’s been a busy season around the farm and at The Grater Good.
Here’s a little peek at what’s been happening lately around here.
Gertie’s Annual Spring Trim ✂️🐑
Our resident sheep, Gertrude, went for her annual spring trim over at the neighbors last week and got some socializing in at the same time. I tried doing it myself last year… turns out I should stick to cows.
Spring Planting Is (Almost) Done 🌱
While I mostly deal with the cow side of things, crops are an important part of our farm. Primarily we (by we I mean my dad haha) plant 3 things- Corn, Alfalfa, and Soybeans. All 3 are important to keeping our cows fed and happy throughout the year. Each of these 3 plants adds and removes different things from the soil to keep it balanced and in good condition to be able to have a quality crop year after year. A little natural fertilizer and compost from the cow manure helps with that too.
With this early feeling spring, we have all our corn in (woohoo!), all the alfalfa is either a returning crop or was seeded in with Oats (helps make sure less weeds come up with it), and minus 2 fields that are too wet from the last rain, *almost* all the beans are in too! Planting season is so dependent on field conditions and usually happens any time from April 15-End of May. As a May 5th birthday, many a celebration was held in the milkhouse so my dad and grandpa could be there to celebrate too.
The Ladies Are Doing Well 🐄
After what felt like a little calf-alanche in March-April, my next cow is due on May 15! Just 2 in May. Unlike many beef, sheep, & goat herds/flocks, dairy cows calve in all year long, not just in the Spring or Fall. They're doing well, and while we have had higher total milk production in the past, our monthly DHIA test had us at 14th in the state for "SCC" aka Clean Milk this month, and our Butter Fat & Protein are higher than in past years. I'll take it.
Upcoming Events & Pairings
5/22 - Beer & Cheese Pairing @ Boom Island Brewing
5/30 - Spring Market @ Everly Farms
6/4 - Opening Day @ Waconia Farmers Market
Check out all of our upcoming events here.
Help Us Find Our Next Pairing Spot
We recently asked social media for recommendations and got some great ideas, but we’re still looking for a few more places to host public pairing classes this year.
Think:
- wineries
- breweries
- distilleries
- wine rooms
- coffee shops
- fun local gathering spots
One of our favorite things is creating pairings that feel approachable, interactive, and just plain fun whether it’s wine, beer, coffee, chocolate, or something a little unexpected.
If you have a favorite spot you’d love to see us host a class at, send us a message. We’d love to hear your ideas!
Private Cheese Classes Are Open For Summer
POV: You're about to sit down at your BFFs house because she invited you over for a cheese & wine class hosted right in her home. Life is good.
Private class books are open for the whole summer. You provide the venue, beverages & glassware & we'll provide the rest. Classes are fun and interactive!
Stop By The Cheese Barn
If you’re out enjoying the spring weather, make a quick stop at the Cheese Barn.
It’s stocked with everything you need for easy snacking, patio boards, and last-minute get-togethers.
Open daily 8am–7pm
