Co-ops

Selling Raw Milk

We do sell raw, whole milk and yes, it is legal in the state of Nebraska as long as it is purchased at the farm. We sell our milk in half gallon mason canning jars which can be purchased from us. Our herd consists of jerseys with the exception of two mixed breed cows. The cows live in our pastures which are not sprayed with herbicides or pesticides. They only receive grain in a very small amount when coming into the barn at milking time.

Our cows are not fed antibiotics or hormones. If a cow should have need of medical assistance we will not sell her milk until any medications are clear out of her system. The grains we feed are organic or transitional organic. In the winter time we feed the cows alfalfa hay. Our cows have been tested for TB and brucellosis. We also periodically do somatic cell count checking.

General Info

Currently we have 3 Omaha co-ops. The co-ops are groups of people who want our milk and have agreed to help each other out by picking up milk here at the farm and redistributing it at a specified location in Omaha on a weekly basis. Other items such as meat, eggs, honey and produce may also need to be transported on occasion. Each person in the co-op agrees to take regular turns (approx once every 8-12 weeks, depending on the number of co-op members) coming to the farm to pick up milk for the group. Each person also agrees to come to the drop off location each week to pick up their milk, eggs, and any other products they’ve ordered.

Although we will happily add your name to a co-op, we really do not run the groups. Each group is free to make adjustments to the rules of how the group operates so long as it does not jeopardize the safety of the milk.

No money is exchanged at the drop off site. All bills are sent via e-mail (or USPS) and are paid directly to the Kvam Farm. Bills are due by the 7th of the month for the current month. We bill in advance for milk, but bill for eggs and other products for the previous month.

Locations

Group 1 meets in Papillion in the parking lot of Sarpy Chiropractic Center on the northwest corner of Highway 370 and 72nd St at 12:00 on Tuesdays. (The West Omaha group has combined with the Tues group and now meets at Peace Presbyterian Church at 11:30.  Once the group grows they  will divide again and meet on Thurs).   Group 2 meets in the Bag N Save parking lot behind Godfather’s Pizza on 108th and Q St at 11:00 on Saturdays. NEW INFO- Group 3 (Benson 72nd and Blondo) will begin meeting Thursday evenings as of July 22nd. This is our newest group and they are still working out details. e-mail for times on this group.

When it is Your Turn to Come to the Farm

This will be a two week obligation. On week one, you will be collecting the coolers, jars and egg cartons. On week two, you will be coming to the farm to pick up the orders.The coolers have reusable icepacks in them. To make sure they have time to re-freeze, please make sure that you pop them in your freezer at least a couple of days before you pick up, as you will be using them to keep the milk cold on the way back from the farm. Please allow the coolers to sit open for a day so they will dry out. If there has been spillage in the cooler please clean it out. Be sure to remember to bring the icepacks with you.

For group 1 (Papillion) please plan to arrive at the farm between, 9:45 and 10:00.  Group 2 (Saturday Omaha) should arrive between, 9 and 9:15.  Group 3 (Benson) should arrive between 7:00 and 7:15pm.  This will allow time to unload and reload. If you would like time to visit the farm or with us please make arrangements ahead of time. Coming prior to that time may mean we are not prepared for you and you may have to wait. We do ask if it is your first time coming to the farm that you arrive 30 minutes early so we can show you around and explain how everything works here.

Most weeks someone is here at the farm to help you with your order. However if we are unavailable we will make it as easy as possible for you. You will find a list of what items are to go with you posted on one of the refrigerators. We will also have signs up to let you know where to find the items you will need. Empty jars, lids and egg cartons can be left on the shelf provided. Coolers should be filled with milk first, then ice packs and lastly packing material. Please do not let the jars rub against each other or pack them too tightly as this will cause breakage.

If you have a conflict with the date you have been assigned to come to the farm please call other members of your group to trade dates. We are unable to assist you with this. We would appreciate being informed of any changes. It would be good to carry a contact list with you so you can get a phone chain started if you should be running late for any reason.

Driving Directions

Our farm is located north and slightly west of Omaha. For most customers the best directions are: make your way to Highway 275 going north towards Fremont/Norfolk. Once you have passed Fremont take the exit towards Sioux City. This is highway 77. Travel north on 77 to highway 32. You will have passed through Winslow and Uehling and will be just south of Oakland. Turn left (west) on Highway 32. Travel about 6 miles to county road 23. You will have passed a log cabin which is no longer in use and a farm with 3 large blue silos that stand in a row. Turn right (north) on road 23. This will be gravel. Travel 4 miles and turn left (west) on county road K. Our house is the 2nd house on the left (south) or the 4th house on the block.

From the N OMAHA area (ie Benson Co-op)   You can take Hwy 75 North towards Blair.  Continue through Blair on Hwy 75 until you come to Tekamah.  Turn west or left on Hwy 32.  Continue on Hwy 32 crossing over Hwy 77.  From Highway 77 you will continue on Hwy 32 about another 6 miles.  Then turn north (right) on County Rd 23.  Travel 4 miles and turn west (left) on County Rd K.  We will be the 2nd house on the south side or the 4th house on the block.

NOTE:  Using Google Maps, and GPS often get people lost out here.  We aren’t hard to find until you use other directions.

Your Ongoing Order

Each co-op member places their order with us directly. We ask that milk orders be consistent from week to week as you will be billed in advance. If you find you need more or less milk let us know in advance of the next months billing so we can make adjustments. If you absolutely must make a change to an order mid month we need at least 3 days notice prior to delivery, otherwise you will still be billed for the milk. You may request additions at anytime, but giving the 3 days notice will give more assurance to us meeting your request. Changes in other products can be made at any time, however late notices may not get read in time for delivery. You can e-mail or call us with any changes.When you are going to be out of town for vacations or such, please let us know prior to billing (the end of the month) if at all possible.

Jar Care and Deposit

When you finish with a bottle of milk, please rinse the bottle in lukewarm water. This will prevent the milk fat from sticking to the jar. After the jar has been rinsed it can be washed like any other glass. It should be washed in soapy water, rinsed well and air dried or it can be done in a dishwasher. Empty bottles should be stored with the lids off. Please be sure the ring for the jar is dried before storing in a baggy so that it doesn’t become rusty. We do need jars, rings, and lids returned weekly.You may wish to consider buying an extra jar to have at your house for any milk you aren’t quite finished with when it is time to return your jars. We can sell one to you or you may be able to find them at a local grocery store.

Another good idea is to purchase a plastic lid. By using a plastic lid on the jar you are currently drinking milk from you will extend the life of the metal lids. It appears that the metal lids tend to get rusty when they sit on jars that are only partially full and opened frequently. We have a few of these lids we may also be able to sell you. Some people prefer to switch all their jars to plastic lids as they are easier to open.

When jars are not washed they become smelly. This is unpleasant for the person who must store the jar for a week before transporting it to the farm. Also jars that have not been washed run the risk of needing to be thrown away as sometimes the ring that is left by the milk is virtually impossible to remove without using a harsh chemical. If we have to throw too many jars away the jar deposits may become non-refundable.

If you should break a jar please let us know. We need to know how frequently to replace jars so we don’t run out. Keep in mind we live in the country and usually have to wait for items to be shipped to us.

The required deposit on jars is $15 per gallon, which is 75% refundable upon leaving the group.

Picking Up Your Order

Please arrive on time or even a few minutes early. You should bring back your empty, clean jars and lids from the previous week. If you have egg cartons that are clean, we can use those too. Also an ice chest to use to transport your order back to your home is very good to have, particularly in the warmer months. The lids for the jars should be stored separately rather than put back on the jars, because the condensation on the lids causes them to rust. Jar washing instructions are included under jar care.

Always check with the person doing the delivery to verify what items have been sent for you, rather than just automatically taking your expected order. On occasion we could be short an item, and so will send only what we have, allocating what’s available among co-op members as fairly as possible. If we know in advance that we will have a shortage, we try to notify by email.Once you have checked your order, then collect your items. The milk has dates written on the neck of each jar. There are typically three dates which stand for the date that the milk was taken from the cows. The protocol to follow is that each member takes some from each date rather than all from one date. If you only get one jar sometimes you should take the latest date and other times take a previous date. We assure you all of the milk is fresh and will last for the week or longer.

Be sure to leave your empty, clean jars and lids, and egg cartons (if any) for the driver who will be coming to the farm the next week.

Billing

Bills are sent out at the end of each month and we require payment to be received by the 7th of the following month. If you notice a problem with your bill, please let us know about it as soon as possible so we can make an adjustment. Also, if you didn’t receive the products you were expecting when you picked up your order, or you accidently receive more than you were expecting, please let us know about this at the time that it occurs so that we’re aware of the problem, and can adjust your bill prior to sending it out.

Leaving the co-op

We always hate to loose a customer but we realize that it is going to happen; dietary needs change, people move and circumstances change. We ask that you please follow the guidelines listed here if you are not going to be part of one of our milk co-ops anymore.

1) Give us as much notice as you possibly can.

2) Notify your co-op group scheduler as well as notifying us, again as soon as possible.

3) If you have assigned dates to pick up milk at the farm still on the schedule please make every attempt possible to find someone to fill in for you and notify us and the “scheduler” of the change.

4) If possible stop at the end of a pay cycle.  Your money to us is likely to have already been spent and refunding money is harder on our budget than a reduced budget the following month.

5) Return your empty jars as soon as possible and let us know when all jars are returned.  We will work on any refund after the jars are returned.

6) Please let us know why you are no longer going to be part of the co-op.  We realize sometimes people don’t want to say why, but it really is hard on us not knowing what the reasons are.  We need to know if there is something we need to improve on.  We’d like to know if there are problems on the other end of the route so that we can try to keep them from reoccurring and others possibly quitting.  Sometimes if it is a financial hardship we may have suggestions to help out.  And of course if you are moving we would love to hear where you are headed. Our customers are more than customers; we feel you are each a part of our farm as well as a friend.

We appreciate you allowing us to provide you and your family with healthy food.  If we can ever be of service again we would be happy to have you back.  We hope you will continue to refer people to us.  May God bless you in your new endeavor whatever it may be.