Yellow Springs 2013

I didn’t know what to expect when I agreed to a trip to Yellow Springs Farm in Chester County. Thanks to Deb Donaldson and Barbara Geltosky, I enjoyed an educational and delicious experience.

Catherine and Al Renzi, owners of Yellow Springs Farm are dedicated environmentalists, cheese makers and native plant growers. We listened to the history of their farm and the long process and persistence that it took for them to bring back the land—get rid of the invasives, encourage existing native plants; prevent erosion on their property by employing several methods of land management, and save energy by using solar panels.

Catherine and Al raise Nubian goats. They have not only traveled widely in this country to gain knowledge about making cheese and yogurt, but also they have traveled Europe and observed and learned from the Italians, the French and the Portuguese. This is not a “seat-of-the-pants” operation, Catherine and Al, have studied, researched and spent years learning goat husbandry which is reflected in their high quality products made from goat’s milk. Their herd of goats and cheese-making is highly regulated; so, the quality and health of their farm is impeccable. They do much of the work on the farm themselves with the help of a part-time student and another who holds down a full time job.

We ended our visit with a tasting of their goat cheese, yogurt and caramel sauce. My favorite was their aged peppercorn and blue cheese. You know how much The Gardeners love food so we thoroughly enjoyed this part of our visit. Our pictures tell it all.

 

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