why calf & clover?

The new name Calf and Clover embodies our two biggest values in dairy farming.  Everything on a dairy farm begins with the birth of a new calf. That Calf holds the hope and promise of the future of the farm and also the memories of its past.  The calf is part of a larger family tree of cows that have maintained and shaped this farmland, built the soil grazing these pastures and have been shaped by it in return.  We believe strongly in building cow family’s and allowing our calves to be raised by their herd. We practice what some farmers refer to as ‘the Madre method’ of raising the calves with their mothers or nurse cows to foster the positive symbiotic relationship of the calf learning directly from a mother cow and achieving its greatest potential health through the immune benefits of nursing off a mother until it’s ready to wean.  Calves raised in this Madre system grow up to be vigorous, strong heifers and cows who are unlikely to have illness and will produce calves even healthier than themselves. Clover naturally symbolizes our commitment to pastures and soil.  Rich living soil is the key to a pasture or “salad bar” full of different types of clovers and a diversity of grasses and legumes.  Our cows spend their days outside during the season peacefully grazing the hillside pastures and are moved twice a day to fresh grass!  In the winter months they have access to shelter as well as outdoor access to get fresh air.