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Farm Profile:
Clark Summit Farm
On the rolling hills of Marin, just north of
the historic western town of Tomales, Liz Cunninghame and her
husband, Dan Bagley, of Clark Summit
Farm, have
created an integrated small farm system. They raise hogs, beef,
chickens for eggs and meat as well as produce. They even have a few
milking cows for family use.
Cowgirl's connection to them began when the whey, the liquid that
drains from the curds when milk is separated to make cheese, began
to be used as feed on the farm. "We heard it is healthy for pigs. It's full of protein and nutrients," Liz says. Dan picks up the
whey from Cowgirl three times a week. "The pigs really like it."
For Cowgirl it is a win-win situation. "We have a place to send
what would otherwise be a waste product and it provides an
inexpensive organic feed source for Liz and Dan's animals," Sue
Conley, co-owner of Cowgirl says.
Liz's grandfather began the farm in 1916, raising chickens and
growing potatoes, as well as operating a 30 cow dairy.
In
1997 Liz inherited the farm. "I always knew I wanted to farm," she
says. "I love being outside and I like knowing that my family has
been on this farm for over 90 years. I feel privileged to have been
able to raise my children here. Farming is in my blood and I feel it
is my responsibility to keep the family farm alive and well, of
course I have the dream that every farmer wishes for; that my one of
my children will want to carry on the tradition.
When they first began, Liz and Dan decided to switch out of the
dairy business, turning first to grass-fed beef. They had always
gardened organically, so when they started raising animals for meat,
it seemed right that they make sure all their efforts took into
consideration the impact on both the land and the animals. They buy
organic feed. Their pastures and chickens are certified organic.
Their chickens run freely on the farm, roaming where they are most
happy, right there in the fields. The sows have their piglets
whenever they want. Cows, pigs and chickens all mix together and get
along well. "They seem to respect each other," Liz says.
Their products are sold at farmer's markets during the summer, as
well as a few Bay Area retail stores and they recently began a CSA
(Community Supported Agriculture) selling their products directly
from the farm to consumers. When asked what she likes best about
farming Liz will tell you "I like the view from my office." Her
office is the whole farm. Visit their website
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Hula-Hoping for Change
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Inauguration Day
With
a cheese shop that is located just about half-way between the White
House and the Capitol Building, the cowgirls found themselves
immersed in the city's exuberance during the inaugural
festivities. People came together from every place, every race and
every walk of life in America to celebrate our new president, and we
were there. What would a cowgirl do to celebrate? Hula Hoop, of
course. Cousin Steven of Chicago renamed his whimsical circular
tube, a Hula Hope - and we Hula Hoped for hours in front of the shop
to the New Orleans sounds coming from Sister Clare's Boom Box. What
a day!
Sue's bird's eye view
A
Little Box of Love
Two hearts, two chocolates and a big jar of honey, shipped
directly to your sweetheart's door. Perfect.
Cowgirl Creamery makes triple cream
heart shaped cheeses called Heart's Desire in early February, just
for Valentine's Day. This year, we are pairing Heart's Desire with
Honey and Almonds from Marshall's Farm and three Dark Chocolates
handcrafted by our neighbors on San Francisco's Embarcadero, Tcho
Chocolates.
Buy online.
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