As we celebrate Earth Day this year, we're excited to share our journey in regenerative farming at Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese. For us, it's about more than just sustainable practices; it's a commitment to nurturing the land and ensuring the long-term health of our environment. Since 1959, when our parents purchased the farm, we've prioritized land management practices and environmental sustainability. Our regenerative methods focus on rotational grazing, no-till seeding practices, enhancement of soil health, conserving and recycling of water, and utilizing our herd's manure waste as natural fertilizer.
Cows grazing on pasture plays a crucial role in sustainable farming as they aid in carbon sequestration. Through their grazing, they promote the growth of diverse grasses and plants, which in turn capture and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in the soil. This process helps mitigate climate change by reducing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, making it an essential component of our sustainable practices.
To ensure our cows retain the essence of our land during the summer, when California truly turns into The Golden State, we produce an annual silage crop each Spring, constituting the primary component of their diet during dry periods. Before the grass succumbs to the heat, we harvest 160 acres, transforming it into silage—a fermented grass blend—to supplement our herd's diet alongside other nutritious ingredients, ensuring they enjoy a robust and flavorful feed. Twenty-five percent of our cows' food comes from our land, and our cheese is a direct expression of the healthy land where it's produced. From lush rye grasses to indigenous coastal geography, every aspect of our farm contributes to the unique flavor profiles found in our farm fresh products.
But it doesn't stop there. We utilize our own herd’s waste as natural fertilizers, in the form of both dry compost and liquid fertilizer from waste ponds, to nourish the soil. Not only do we recycle the nutrients of manure by spreading it back on the fields to promote soil fertility, but we also power our farm with it. We collect waste from our barns, flushing them multiple times daily with recycled water. The waste is then channeled to our methane digester, where methane gases are collected. Those gases are turned into renewable power via our bio-gas generator, ultimately providing 50% of the energy we use on our farm. We call this process a closed loop, where the nutrients are used and reused in a continuous circle.
This Earth Day, we invite you to join us in celebrating the beauty of regenerative farming and the impact it has on our planet. Together, we can create a more sustainable future for generations to come.
Happy Earth Day from all of us at Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese!
