Small Dairy Needs Help

Prairies Edge is a small organic farm located west of Willmar, Minnesota. Our soils have been certified organic since 2011. We are good stewards of both land and animals, using only sustainable, organic farming methods.  We began milking cows in Jan. so cash is tight.
Last year, we had a terrible barn-fire that destroyed the only barn we had on the farm.  That same building was going to be our future dairy barn to milk cows in.  We lost many much loved animals, along with the tools and supplies needed to fix the barn.  We were going to start milking cows in the spring... needless to say, that didn't happen.  Since the fire, we were able to build a new, but smaller milking barn.  At half the size, it only holds 16 cows, but it works.After the fire, we moved many of the surviving animals into temporary hoop-building. This spring, at the tail-end of a fast moving wind storm, we lost the roof of that.  Currently, our baby calves and dairy goats have little shelter.  Our chickens and ducks have found refuge elsewhere.
this was the inside of our calf shelter a few days before the roof blew off, it was 17ºF outside, but +55ºF inside

The Need
Without proper shelter, animal health is a major concern.  This is also the only "building" we had  to hand-milk our dairy goats in.  Until the storm, we were selling some of our raw goat milk.  Without a roof, we are not comfortable selling raw goat milk to friends and family.  With raw dairy, cleanliness is VERY important.

$3000-4000 will allow us to provide clean and dry shelter to our youngest calves, as well as many of our smaller animals.   A new steel roof would be strong and permanent and unlike poly/plastic sheeting, will never rip, tare or need replacing.  It is a long term investment into a  much needed, sustainable calf shelter.

The urgency of the project is due to the fact we have 5 cows due to calf in the next 3 week.  Normally, we would let the calves stay with the cows, but here in Minnesota, the weather can be quite cold and windy - our last frost date is usually around June 1st.  Until it warms up, we feel better if we can keep the youngest calf/calves under a roof and with others, until older.
this was taken seconds after the roof let go from the main structure

Why Do We Do What We Do?
Many ask us why we sell raw milk.  The answer is simple... we believe organic milk, from grass-fed cows is healthier than processed milk.  Most of the folks that purchase milk directly from us do so because they cannot tolerate store-bought.  We sell our milk for quite a bit less than the price in the supermarkets.  Good, clean, healthy food should be affordable to everyone.

The Rest Of The Story
We have spent an awful lot of time talking about the calves and their shelter.  But what happens after the calves grow up.  What about them?  We raise them as naturally as possible.  Here is a video of our "girls" getting fresh pasture.

We need healthy calves so we can have healthy cows.  A new roof on the hoop-barn will be what every calf needs right now.

This is where your money will go:
Posts: 4x4 posts will be set into the ground, inside the structure.  These posts will be placed 12' apart, running the length of the building.  They will support the weight of the new roof.

- Lumber: 2x4's will be secured horizontally across the roof.
- Steel Sheeting:  The sheets of 3'x18' steel will be fastened to the 2x4's, creating a strong, water tight roof.
- Ridge Cap:  A clear ridge cap will be placed along the top of the roof.  It will allow sunlight to enter the building, saving both electricity and allowing the animals inside to get some much needed solar heat.
- Labor: In our county, the work needs to be performed by a licensed contractor.  We're luck... our neighbor is such a contractor.  We're keeping it local.

Although the project cost estimate is $4300,  we are asking for $3100.  We figure if we cannot add to the project ourselves, we have no right to ask others to.  We believe we can scrape up 20-25% needed.  If we surpass our initial goal with this campaign, we will put the additional dollars towards the rebuilding of the end-walls & roll-up side curtain - they are in tough shape as well.

Our Building Now
Below, is what the calf shelter looks like now.


Who Are We?
We are a small family dairy farm.  We started our farm in the summer of 2008 with the commitment of transitioning to certified organic status.  It was our chance to grow safe, healthy food and crops on a small, yet, commercial scale.  We concentrated on producing safe, nutritious raw milk from a single cow and several dairy goats on chemical-free pastures.


The Dairy Team
Meet Rich and Carol Radtke & their daughter Madison.

It is truly a family affair.  They milk cows as a family.  Madison is one of the few farm kids that actually does work on the farm before she needs to be at school.   She not only helps milk cows every morning, she also hand-milks her 3 dairy goats.

Website: PrairiesEdgeFarm.com
Facebook page: facebook.com/MNRawMilk

Healthy Milk
After producing and drinking raw milk, health benefits were evident.  Madison, who suffers from asthma, had fewer and fewer asthma related complications.   It wasn't long after, that they decided to pursue their goal of starting a certified organic, raw milk dairy.  It is almost a David and Goliath story, with many dairies in their area milking +1000 cows and one a few miles away, milking approx. 6500 cows.  The Radtkes milk 17 cows.

In addition to caring for their farm animals,  the family also cares for Chastiti', Rich & Carol's eldest daughter, who is 29 was born with Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and is now challenged with multiple mental & physical complications as well as a debilitating seizure disorder.

Life is less than easy, but they rarely complain.