> I hope that this does not violate the spirit of HGF's discussion
> board, but I know that Meg is a valued contributor to our discussions
> and I think  that the health of the local food production network
> should be of importance to our membership.

> Windsor Dairy is a membership-based raw milk cooperative with
> impeccable testing and production standards that also sells grass-fed
> beef, whey-fed pork and free-ranged broiler hens and eggs to the
> general public, both at their on-store farm and at the Boulder Farmers
> Market and the Fort Collins Winter Markets.

> This year's drought has made it impossible for the dairy to put up hay
> from their own pastures and the price of hay, as you may have read
> about, has nearly tripled in the larger region, so Windsor Dairy is
> facing an extra $170,000 in hay bills to feed their animals through
> the winter. This is a staggering increase that could crush their
> business, if they cannot raise extra revenues.

> They could use all the extra business we can provide them
> individually, and if you have friends that care about local, high-
> quality, sustainably-produced food, it would be great if we could
> encourage others to support Windsor Dairy as well. They sell
> individual cuts of meat and they also sell sides of beef. Pre-ordering
> beef from them would help their cashflow.

> If you have the ability to support local producers who treat their
> animals well and provide healthful food to their customers (and this
> is why I grow as much of my own fruits and vegetables as I can, so
> that I can afford to buy meats, eggs and milk from these producers) I
> hope that you will consider buying from Windsor Dairy this fall. And
> if you have ever wanted to try raw milk for the health benefits, I can
> tell you that they test every batch for pathogens, the milk is
> delicious, and my family is convinced of the significant health
> benefits of carefully-produced raw milk.

> You can find information about their meat and eggs, as well as their
> cow shares, at www.windsordairy.com

> Thanks for considering this. Community supported agriculture is a
> passion of mine and it is in trying times that community members need
> to step forward and shoulder a small part of the burden each so that
> our local providers can continue doing what they love and what we
> appreciate so much. This drought is certainly proving to be a trying
> time for growers large and small.

> Sue