January 17th, 2012
Rehoboth Dairy, Rustic Acres Farm, Century Farm, Grass Fed Cows, No Artificial Hormones, No Antibiotics, The Way Milk Should Taste, Amish Eggs, Butter, Breads, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware Beaches
Back in 2009 when I started this blog, the concept was “word of mouth”. Finding those unique places that make our beaches such a wonderful place to live. I wanted to pass the word around. Believe me, I know I am lucky to live in the coastal area of the Delaware Beaches, and I do not take it for granted.
The other day my husband mentioned that he had read about a dairy farm in Rehoboth. They also had produce and on and on he went. It was on the way to the Glades, he said. Okay, I had not been on that road for years. It is the type of road that is mostly traveled by the people that live in that vicinity.
I found the farm, and the storefront. It look like someone was there. Then, I met Nelson. I introduced myself; the store was opening at 11 a.m. In our brief conversation he said that these are hard times for dairy farmers. That the Euro having problems have made companies in Europe trying to market powder milk to be reconsituted, here in the U.S. What? That’s crazy, I thought. His mother would be there at 11 a.m., Nelson said. He, on the other hand, would probably be out back playing with the cows. Could not wait to get back at 11 a.m.
Rehoboth Dairy, LLC is located at Rustic Acres Farm, at 37217 Rustic Acres Ln. in Rehoboth Beach. Tel. 302-226-2571. Earl’s 302-245-8308 and Nelson’s 302-245-8310. If you are going north after just leaving Rehoboth Beach, on Rt. 1 (Coastal Highway), turn right on Hollands Glade Rd., right after Tomato Sunshine. If you are coming south on Coastal Highway (Rt. 1) then, make a U turn at the intersection of Shuttle Rd. and Rt. 1 in order to get to Hollands Glade Rd. On Hollands Glade Rd., continue driving inland and you will see the farm on the left and the store just by the road.
There were people already there when I arrived. Immediately, I met Earl and Mary Ann, who along with their sons work the farm.
A few customers were checking out already with a box full of lettuce, eggs, milk, and butter. Cash and check are accepted. No credit cards.
Earl and I started talking; I think he could outtalk me by a lot, if there is such a thing. His good friends were Amish from Dover, Delaware. They built the store. Comfortable in its simplicity. During the summer months you are going to find all kinds of local produce. Hours of operation, at the present time are Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.
This is a dairy farm. The milk? Well, it is as fresh as you are ever going to get any milk. The cows are in the back. They get milked in the updated building that dates prior to the Civil War. The milk is brought to the back of the shop where it is pasteurized. Rehoboth Dairy follows all State regulations. It takes them 8 hours to produce 100 gallons of milk.
They have available, whole milk, 2%, 1 1/2 %, and cream. The milk is in glass bottles; 1/2 gallons and quarts. A deposit is required for the glass bottles. Bring the bottles back for your deposit to be refunded. You’ll be back for sure.
The cream goes to the top and just like in the old days, it separates. Shake it a bit and you will get one delicious tasting glass of milk. Milk in its purest form is as near to being a perfect food as one can find. It is a complex and complete supply of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antibodies, essential fatty acids and carbs.
Only a handful of dairy farms remain in the State of Delaware. The cost of carrying these farms is incredible. Earl had to sell everything some years ago when it got to be too much with 200 cows. He has now about 70 and is trying to keep it going. He is a farmer at heart and speaks of work with passion and delight. He also said that farmers buy retail and sale wholesale.
Pasteurization of raw milk is required by law. This process began as a result of bacteria that could contaminate the milk after the milk left the cow. The milk from Rehoboth Dairy is pasteurized with milk from their cows, in the family century farm. These cows are grass fed with no artificial hormones or antibiotics.
No homogenization here. Homogenization forces the milk, by extreme pressure, through tiny holes which break up the normally large fat molecules into tiny ones. This unnatural fat is easily absorbed into the blood stream. In milk that has not been homogenized, the large fat molecules, are normally passed through the digestive track, unabsorbed. A lot of health problems are attributed to homogenization.
Through small cooperatives, Earl and Mary Ann buy other staples for their store. Butter, is made by the Amish. Of course, I had to get it. It is so good. The eggs are free range and a variety of sizes, as well.
Honey from Lanes Pure Honey from Dover, Delaware. Comb and all.
A freezer was in the middle of the store filled with lima beans and meats and pork products. Filet, roasts, sausage, hamburger patties, scrapple, pork chops. Earl and Mary Ann can tell you the content of everything they sell. I told Earl he would get a scrapple review for sure.
The pork comes from pigs raised on another farm, but owned by Earl. And the beef is from their steers which are raised on their farm, again, grass fed beef with no antibiotics and no hormones. Haas Family Butcher Shop in Dover takes care of the preparation of their meat and pork products.
Besides milk, butter, eggs, and honey, I bought a pork loin roast, filet and scrapple.
You can find in the store Amish baked goods, as well.
I took off with Earl on his truck to check the cows out back. They were all eating; I think that’s what cows do all the time, anyway. The cows you will find at Rustic Acres Farm are Holsteins and Jerseys.
Holstein is the world’s highest production dairy animal, with distinctive markings. Some are mostly black to mostly white, half and half, or red and white.
Trivia: Pauline Wayne was a famous Holstein that was the Presidential Pet of the 27th President of the U.S., William Howard Taft. It lived and grazed on the White House and provided for their milk. It was the last Presidential Pet Cow.
Jerseys are a small breed of dairy cattle, originally bred in the Channel Island of Jersey. It has high butterfat content in its milk and a “genial” disposition; curious and gentle.
Trivia: Elsie the Cow was the famous mascot of Borden, Inc. in the U.S.
I asked Earl if they were dumb. He said that a cow remembers everything that has been done to it. As we walked he touched them here or there, behind their ears. It was like they recognized him. One just got close to me and tried to grab my pocket. I had a treat from my dog, Addy, there. Slobbered all over the bottom of my coat.
Earl said that cows are creatures of habit and they follow a strong pecking order. It is a whole process to get them used to one another.
The calfs had to be weaned. They were so cute, coming out of their huts, thinking you had a bottle for them.
From there they go with just one other cow to a different pen. Then to a bigger space with a few more and on and on it goes until they are ready to be all together.
They all have shelter in the winter; a roof over their heads.
As I was walking with Earl I asked him if he gave tours. He said he did not because he did not want germs and contamination in his farm. I felt lucky that he took me to see it. All I could think of was that you really had to love it; it is really so much work.
A resurgence of wanting better foods; away from over processed foods, I am hoping that give these farmers the opportunity to stay in business.
I read food labels all the time. Have to since there are food allergies and health issues in my household. It is just incredible to read some of the ingredients, dies and preservatives in the simplest of foods.
I really enjoyed talking to the Warrens. A plan for the not too distant future is homemade ice cream. I can’t wait!!!
Note: I had to get some info. from Wikipedia….
Tags: Amish baked goods in Rehoboth Beach, dairy farm in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Delaware Beaches, Delaware Dairy Farmers, Delaware Dairy Farms, Fresh Produce at Rustic Acres Farm, fresh cream, Grass Fed Cows at Rustic Acres Farm, Meats at Rustic Acres Farm, Milk, No antibiotics, No Artificial Hormones, Pasteurized Fresh Milk, rehoboth beach, Rehoboth Dairy, Rehoboth local cows, Rustic Acres Century Farm, Rustic Acres Farm, Sussex County
That is such a great thing they are doing! I hope they are able to keep it up, I will definitely be stopping by to try their milk. Grass fed and no antibiotics? Sounds like some of the safest milk on the market. Thanks so much for sharing this!
You will see; once you taste it, you’ll know what I was talking about. My half gallon is almost gone. Going back this week-end for more. Thanks for your comments. I am definitely, passing the word around.
Really enjoyed this….will be dropping by there for sure!
Thanks for your comments. I just went yesterday to get milk, eggs, butter and scrapple.
Thanks for posting this. I am looking forward to going there this summer.
Also, if you go to http://www.farmersfeedus.org there are some short clips about other local farms.
Chris, thanks for your comments. My family is hooked on the milk, butter, scrapple, and eggs. They will be having produce and baked goods this summer and maybe even homemade ice cream. See you.
Thanks for your comments and will be checking the website you mentioned. We are hooked on their eggs, milk, butter, and scrapple.
Their milk and scrapple are wonderful, and based on their recommendation, we made a stop at Haasse’s, a bit west of Dover. (Worth the trip!)
I look forward to the addition of ice cream … what an excuse for a bike ride! (Rustic Acres is just east of the Breakwater Junction Bike Trail.)
I agree with all your comments. Thanks for writing to my blog.
Genuinely when someone doesn
Thanks so much for this. We are visiting my sister-in-law and her husband, who has a large collection of old milk bottles, including one (we discovered) from the Rehoboth Dairy. I decided to see if it still existed, and your blog popped up. Tomorrow we visit, filled with anticipation. Thanks again for making this possible.
Does Rehoboth Dairy provide half and half for my coffee? I cannot use regular cream.
I’ve been getting the milk up here in Dover at Fifer Farms. I can get the Amish roll butter at Haas’ butcher shop. For those two spots, I am so grateful!
Please let me know about the half and half. I must watch my diet and need to keep a strict eye on additives, etc.
Thank you!
Jeannie