Let us introduce ourselves...
We live on a small piece of perfect amongst the rolling hills of central Kentucky called Restoration Farmstead.
But we haven’t always been farm folk. Our journey began as city kids, and I (Laura) was a city doctor, and my husband (Mark) managed our businesses. Along the way, we journeyed from the city to the country and learned to appreciate the gifts it had to offer. Now we are dairy farmers and herb gardeners!
We brought home our first dairy cow with no experience, but with a desire for sustainable food and a willingness to learn. We were hooked, her milk was delicious, and the relationship we developed was grounding and addictive! So, obviously, since we never wanted to run out of milk, we needed more cows! And, we wanted to share our experience with others who would appreciate the milk… but maybe not the twice-a-day milking schedule.
The bounty of our gardens has grown into herbal products that are built upon generations of wisdom and my personal experience as a mom, pediatrician, and functional medicine doctor. All that knowledge is infused into every formulation and product we offer.
We have also partnered with other like-minded folks to provide honey, baked goods, and meat options, which can be delivered with our weekly milk deliveries. It brings a whole new wrinkle to the phrase “farm to table”.
We’ve discovered that reconnecting with the earth and its gifts gives us a better pathway to health, wholeness, and thriving. As we start to remember and journey on those ancient pathways, we can rediscover that connection and return to the truth of who we are created to be. It turns out that the way forward is really traveling those old roads.
These are the real stars of the show! These amazing Jersey girls turn sunshine and grass into beautiful, nourishing milk!
They’ve also taught us a thing or two…
Rhythm & Routine | Restorative and necessary.
Sunshine & Green Grass | The source of life and grounding.
The Slower Pace | You can’t hurry a cow, so you might as well lean in and appreciate the stillness.
Natural Variation | Production and productivity vary from day to day and season to season. Not only is it ok, it’s normal.
An Introvert’s Best Friend | Dairy animals are the perfect companions for quiet souls.
Mutual Trust | Always worth the time and effort it takes to get there.
True Nourishment | Reconnecting to food sources may be even more nourishing than the food itself.
Gratitude | Deep appreciation for the good gifts the earth provides.
The Practical Truth | Cow poop isn’t all that bad, and a barn makes it all easier!
Rozie
Rozie was our first cow. She was a brand new momma, and we were brand new at both having & milking a cow. We learned together and found out that we liked each other. She is a bit sassy at times, but also affectionate. She loves children and anyone who gives her a treat. I can’t imagine a better first cow. Its perfectly poetic that our first cow graced us with our first born on our farm calf. Little Poppy arrived on Valentine’s Day, and it was love at first sight.
(aka Rozalie)
Blue
Blue joined our little herd a few months later. She is the most sensitive cow on the farm. She notices every little change, and it can take her a minute to work through it. She is sweet and a little spicy at times.
(aka She-can
(aka Fate)Goldie
Goldie is gentle, patient, and steady. She gets along with everyone. She asks for little and blesses us with calm and abundant milk!
(aka Beth)Pinkie
Ah, Pinkie. Pinkie is chaos in cow form. She is lovable and goofy. She is the smallest cow in our herd, but the mightiest! If you want a pocket cow, Pinkie is your girl!
Meet the Staff! (The Herd)
(aka Perfect)Sage
Sage makes the rest of our girls look small. Fortunately, she is calm and gentle and stays very even. But when she gets moving, she is a force to be reckoned with!