Save Blessings Raw Milk Dairy
Donation protected
Our Landlord has announced that he is selling the property that we have lived on and farmed for the past four years. WE WERE SHOCKED! The farm is called Blessings Farm and Dairy and is a family operated working farm. For Sale signs have been posted and it is only a matter of time that someone will offer to buy it. That would mean we would have to sell all of our wonderful animals and move. We are unable to use traditional funding due to some issues in our past but would love to continue farming and providing healthy, safe and real products to our customers. This is our story!
Hello, we are the MacAdam Family; David and Kathy and our three children Ashley, Joshua and Bethany. Six years ago we came to a crossroads in our lives and decided it was time for a change. Our lives in the State Capital of Salem, OR had gotten so bad that we feared for the well being of our children. Our plan was to move closer to our Church some 30 miles South in Halsey, OR.
There were several roadblocks that kept us from moving, such as: The home we owned had become to much for us to handle financially due to Kathy's health issues, When we rented it out the tenants defaulted on the rent causing us to have to take court action, the payments fell to far behind causing us to sell it on a short sale.
As we prayed and sought for a place to live we came upon a property In the small town of Crawfordsville. The property, 19 acres in size, was owned by a nice gentleman named Ron. It was currently rented and not being used as a farm. Ron wanted it to be restored to a working farm. He drove up from California to meet with us and we outlined plans to transition the property into a dairy and small farm.
The initial plan was to build a chicken house that would allow for free range, uncaged chickens that would produce farm fresh eggs. Then we would purchase milk cows and sell raw milk and raw milk products. We would also plant blueberries in the front area to sell in a roadside stand. Ron fell in love with the idea and agreed to rent the property to us. He assured us that we could farm the property as long as we wanted to and that the property would never be sold. He wanted to be involved in a small farm endeavor and would support it wholeheartedly.
We moved onto the farm on September 1st, 2014. Initially the intention was to allow us to farm the land and grow the business as long as we wanted to. Ron wanted to see the farm grow and flourish and was excited to visit the area. We were excited to get started and dove right into fixing fences, cleaning up the pastures and getting the property ready for animals. I had never farmed before nor had I ever milked a cow but my wife had and we did a lot of reading and talking to farmers in our Church who were a great help getting us pointed in the right direction.
A chicken barn was built and the milking area was assembled. The blueberries were planted by hand by us and the watering system was installed. We just needed the animals to make this farm operational. At first we bought 100 chickens and raised them in the garage until the chicken house was ready. We borrowed a milk cow, Daisy, from a friend and bought our first cow, Mabel, who was pregnant with her first calf. I cut a piece of plywood in four pieces and constructed an A-frame sign advertising raw milk which went out by the street. The next day we sold our first gallon of milk to an eager customer!
My son and I fell in love with milking cows and the girls were more than willing to get involved. This farm became our life! Up early in the morning to milk cows even when the weather was not agreeable. Taking care of the animals became not just a job but a right and a duty. We love our cows and chickens and goats and pigs and want to see them live comfortable, healthy lives. They have plenty of room to roam and the cows come when we call them by name.
Mabels first calf was named Blessings after the farm where he was born. Mabel has since been a vital member of the Dairy team. As we started meeting people and gaining new customers we purchased more cows and more chickens. Each animal became very special to us. They received lots of love and attention and the goats and cows love hugs. Many children have come to the farm and could pet a cow or a goat and experience the beauty of nature.
Today we have 10 milk cows which have produced five beautiful heifer calves that will grow to join the milk team. We have four Dutch Belted cows: Mabel and Maude (sisters), Rhodadendream and her daughter Helps-To-Dream (both registered with the DBCAA). And six Jersey cows: Patsy(A2/A2), Dolly (registered and A2/A2), Hope (registered), Daisy, Dandelion, and Peaches. We also have approximately 600 Novigen laying hens that produce roughly 450 eggs a day. Oh and three milking Saanen Goats: Adeline, Sophia and Periwinkle along with Billy the billy goat.
Currently we sell some 250 dozen eggs at three farmers markets each week in Eugene (Tuesday and Saturday) and in Corvallis (Wednesday). We also sell approximately 80 gallons of milk, 20 pounds of butter and 25 quarts of cream.
Last week we were informed that Ron wants to sell the farm. Apparently his plans have changed and he wants to sell the property as soon as possible. We found out that in doing so he will more than double his initial investment. Not only were we shocked by the news but the real estate agent is moving very quickly. Yesterday they put a for sale sign out in front of the property, the day before my birthday.
He offered to allow us to purchase the property before it was listed on the market but changed that offer because he wanted the signs to be up during the heavy traffic of a local country music festival. It is obvious that he wants to "unload" the farm during an economical high time when he can get the most money. Little concern has been shown for the animals that will be affected by this move.
This brings us to our problem. Not enough time as passed since our short sale in Salem which has caused a financing problem. We are not able to secure funding for a new mortgage or for a downpayment. Also all the money produced by the farm has been reinvested into the farm so it can grow and prosper. This news came as a shock to us and has forced us to face the real danger of having to sell all of these beautiful animals and move. We simply will not be able to save the animals who have become very comfortable in their environment.
This is where we need your help. In order for us to continue operating Blessings Farm and Dairy we need to raise the funds to purchase the property. In the past four years we have come to love our animals and to enjoy the farming lifestyle. Actually this lifestyle has saved this family. We are healthier and more in tune with nature. It is our desire to continue producing healthy, farm fresh products for our customers. To do that we need to raise the money to purchase the farm. If you could help us we would be deeply grateful.
Hello, we are the MacAdam Family; David and Kathy and our three children Ashley, Joshua and Bethany. Six years ago we came to a crossroads in our lives and decided it was time for a change. Our lives in the State Capital of Salem, OR had gotten so bad that we feared for the well being of our children. Our plan was to move closer to our Church some 30 miles South in Halsey, OR.
There were several roadblocks that kept us from moving, such as: The home we owned had become to much for us to handle financially due to Kathy's health issues, When we rented it out the tenants defaulted on the rent causing us to have to take court action, the payments fell to far behind causing us to sell it on a short sale.
As we prayed and sought for a place to live we came upon a property In the small town of Crawfordsville. The property, 19 acres in size, was owned by a nice gentleman named Ron. It was currently rented and not being used as a farm. Ron wanted it to be restored to a working farm. He drove up from California to meet with us and we outlined plans to transition the property into a dairy and small farm.
The initial plan was to build a chicken house that would allow for free range, uncaged chickens that would produce farm fresh eggs. Then we would purchase milk cows and sell raw milk and raw milk products. We would also plant blueberries in the front area to sell in a roadside stand. Ron fell in love with the idea and agreed to rent the property to us. He assured us that we could farm the property as long as we wanted to and that the property would never be sold. He wanted to be involved in a small farm endeavor and would support it wholeheartedly.
We moved onto the farm on September 1st, 2014. Initially the intention was to allow us to farm the land and grow the business as long as we wanted to. Ron wanted to see the farm grow and flourish and was excited to visit the area. We were excited to get started and dove right into fixing fences, cleaning up the pastures and getting the property ready for animals. I had never farmed before nor had I ever milked a cow but my wife had and we did a lot of reading and talking to farmers in our Church who were a great help getting us pointed in the right direction.
A chicken barn was built and the milking area was assembled. The blueberries were planted by hand by us and the watering system was installed. We just needed the animals to make this farm operational. At first we bought 100 chickens and raised them in the garage until the chicken house was ready. We borrowed a milk cow, Daisy, from a friend and bought our first cow, Mabel, who was pregnant with her first calf. I cut a piece of plywood in four pieces and constructed an A-frame sign advertising raw milk which went out by the street. The next day we sold our first gallon of milk to an eager customer!
My son and I fell in love with milking cows and the girls were more than willing to get involved. This farm became our life! Up early in the morning to milk cows even when the weather was not agreeable. Taking care of the animals became not just a job but a right and a duty. We love our cows and chickens and goats and pigs and want to see them live comfortable, healthy lives. They have plenty of room to roam and the cows come when we call them by name.
Mabels first calf was named Blessings after the farm where he was born. Mabel has since been a vital member of the Dairy team. As we started meeting people and gaining new customers we purchased more cows and more chickens. Each animal became very special to us. They received lots of love and attention and the goats and cows love hugs. Many children have come to the farm and could pet a cow or a goat and experience the beauty of nature.
Today we have 10 milk cows which have produced five beautiful heifer calves that will grow to join the milk team. We have four Dutch Belted cows: Mabel and Maude (sisters), Rhodadendream and her daughter Helps-To-Dream (both registered with the DBCAA). And six Jersey cows: Patsy(A2/A2), Dolly (registered and A2/A2), Hope (registered), Daisy, Dandelion, and Peaches. We also have approximately 600 Novigen laying hens that produce roughly 450 eggs a day. Oh and three milking Saanen Goats: Adeline, Sophia and Periwinkle along with Billy the billy goat.
Currently we sell some 250 dozen eggs at three farmers markets each week in Eugene (Tuesday and Saturday) and in Corvallis (Wednesday). We also sell approximately 80 gallons of milk, 20 pounds of butter and 25 quarts of cream.
Last week we were informed that Ron wants to sell the farm. Apparently his plans have changed and he wants to sell the property as soon as possible. We found out that in doing so he will more than double his initial investment. Not only were we shocked by the news but the real estate agent is moving very quickly. Yesterday they put a for sale sign out in front of the property, the day before my birthday.
He offered to allow us to purchase the property before it was listed on the market but changed that offer because he wanted the signs to be up during the heavy traffic of a local country music festival. It is obvious that he wants to "unload" the farm during an economical high time when he can get the most money. Little concern has been shown for the animals that will be affected by this move.
This brings us to our problem. Not enough time as passed since our short sale in Salem which has caused a financing problem. We are not able to secure funding for a new mortgage or for a downpayment. Also all the money produced by the farm has been reinvested into the farm so it can grow and prosper. This news came as a shock to us and has forced us to face the real danger of having to sell all of these beautiful animals and move. We simply will not be able to save the animals who have become very comfortable in their environment.
This is where we need your help. In order for us to continue operating Blessings Farm and Dairy we need to raise the funds to purchase the property. In the past four years we have come to love our animals and to enjoy the farming lifestyle. Actually this lifestyle has saved this family. We are healthier and more in tune with nature. It is our desire to continue producing healthy, farm fresh products for our customers. To do that we need to raise the money to purchase the farm. If you could help us we would be deeply grateful.
Organizer
Joshua Macadam
Organizer
Sweet Home, OR
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