Headquartered in nearby Sebastopol, Redwood Hill Farm & Creamery has been at the top of the dairy game for over 50 years. An expert on the topic, brand manager Seair Lorentz spoke with us about goat milk, sustainability and seasonal activities you won’t want to miss.
Why should a cow-milk drinker switch to goat milk?
The taste. Goat milk is simply more complex in flavor than your everyday cow milk. Our yogurt and kefir are mild and creamy with a subtle, earthy taste, slight tartness and an unbeatable velvety “mouthfeel.” It’s great in a traditional yogurt bowl topped with granola, but it also really shines in savory applications like yogurt-based sauces, marinades and dressings.
But if deliciousness isn’t enough, goat milk is also easier to digest than cow milk and loaded with nutrients (18 percent more calcium, 43 percent more potassium and 104 percent more vitamin A). Our goat milk yogurt and kefir have all the added benefits of goat milk combined with cultures so that each bite contains billions of probiotics.
What is one thing most people don’t know about Redwood Hill?
In 2005, we became the first Certified Humane goat dairy in the country, which underscores our commitment to animal welfare. We are also committed to sustainability via renewable energy and water-saving measures. The creamery runs 100 percent on renewable energy, mainly through two acres of solar panels on its roof and through geothermal and wind technology. This system offsets 810,840 pounds of CO2 annually.
How is the biodiversity on the farm?
We source our milk from seven different farms, but the original Redwood Hill Farm sits on 20 acres of biodiverse land. It’s home to olive and fruit orchards, a hop yard, vegetable and flower gardens, beehives and a chicken flock, all of which contribute to an enriched ecosystem.
In addition to goat milk products, does the farm produce anything else that it sells commercially?
Although the original Redwood Hill Farm (one of the seven dairies we source our milk from) primarily focuses on goat milk production and the breeding of champion dairy goats, it also grows and sells a variety of cut flowers to local flower markets and florists, as well as fresh “wet” hops to local breweries. In addition, they offer seasonal farm tours which include kid (baby goat) petting and the opportunity to shop at their seasonal farm stand where they sell olive oil, vegetable starts and cut flowers.
What is the legacy of Redwood Hill Farm?
We are one of the pioneers and continued leaders in producing goat dairy products, especially beyond cheese. Our founder Jennifer Bice, a maven of goat dairy, helped put this delicious product on the American map, and we continue to honor her legacy by creating Certified Humane, premium quality goat milk yogurt and kefir.
