Have you ever wondered why some people turn to goat milk when all other options seem to fail? It’s more than just an alternative—it’s a lifeline for many. At its heart, the answer lies in something often overlooked but extraordinarily powerful: the microbes. We believe it is these tiny, unseen heroes are the foundation of goat milk's incredible potential.
Even with modern science and technology, there are still mysteries in human nutrition and our connection to food that we’re just beginning to uncover. But what we do know is that the stories of transformation—stories of our clients—are what keep us inspired.
"It’s All About the Microbes..."
...is Katie's favourite expression about feeding goats, plants or humans.
River's Edge goat milk stands apart from other milks, not just for its taste but for its digestibility and nutritional benefits. Unlike many commercial dairy products that strip away beneficial microbes during processing, low temperature produced goat milk and products like kefir and artisanal cheeses are rich in live cultures that support the gut microbiome.
Why is this important?
Many studies show the gut microbiome plays a pivotal role in overall health, from digestion to immunity and even mental clarity. An imbalance in gut bacteria has been shown to be linked to numerous health issues, and restoring this balance can have life-altering effects. For many, goat milk and kefir seem to act as a catalyst for this restoration thanks to its wealth of beneficial bacteria and its remarkable compatibility with the human digestive system.
A Transformational Story of Hope
It’s one thing to talk about goat milk's benefits in theory, but it’s the real-life transformations that move us to action, producing goat milk and kefir on our farm.
Take Susan (name changed for privacy), one of our first customers back in 2005, the year we started selling to the public. Susan had severe Crohn’s disease, so much so that she was hospitalized and surviving on a feeding tube because she couldn’t tolerate any food. Her doctors told her she could not stay on the feeding tube any longer and needed to find a food she could eat, or her prognosis was grim. One fateful day, while driving home, she spotted the sign for River's Edge Goat Dairy. Susan would later say that it felt as though she was guided by God to us.
She began drinking our goat milk exclusively, making it her sole source of nutrition for six months. She lived off of nothing but our goat milk. Slowly but surely, she regained her strength and added in proper food to her diet. She kept River's Edge goat milk as a staple and she lived a full decade and a half longer than anyone had expected, spending time with grandchildren she feared she’d never have.
Susan’s story is a testament to the incredible power of food—of goat milk, specifically—when made with care, respect, and attention to quality. It’s stories like these that remind us why we do what we do. On days I feel I want to quit, I think of Susan and the gratitude she had for us, our farm and the life of joy she got to experience.
Goat Milk and the Mind-Body Connection
Another story touches on something deeply fascinating about our connection to food. Currently, we have a family friend whose mother has dementia and had essentially stopped eating. She has been in and out of hospital because her health had reached a precarious point. but something remarkable happened. When offered our goat kefir—a product of ours she had enjoyed in her healthier days—her body and mind seemed to recognize what it needed.
From the first sip, it was as if her memories were stirred, recalled from a time when food brought comfort and nourishment. And though her conscious mind was affected by dementia, her body seemed to instinctively crave the kefir’s life-giving microbes. We’re now anxiously watching as she continues to consume it, hoping to see improvements in her well-being.
These moments reaffirm what we believe to our core. Even when words and reasoning fail, the language of food—and specifically, its connection to our microbiome—speaks volumes.
The Mystery of Goat Milk
Still, there’s so much we don’t fully understand about human health, food, and how the two intertwine. Goat milk isn't a miracle cure, but it consistently helps when “nothing else will.” Perhaps it’s the specific protein structure of goat milk that makes it easier to digest, or perhaps it’s the live microbes nourishing our gut. Maybe it’s both.
Whatever the science may ultimately reveal, one thing is clear to us on the farm: goat milk has an extraordinary ability to restore balance, health, and vitality.
A Community Built on Connection
Beyond the milk itself, there’s something special about the sense of community and care that surrounds its production. Every batch of our goat milk, kefir, and cheeses is created with the utmost respect for the goats, the land, and the people who enjoy our products. It’s this attention to detail that allows us to deliver products infused with not only flavor but also the potential to truly nourish.
At the end of the day, it’s not just the milk that matters. It’s the connection between farmer and customer, between food and the human body. These connections bring meaning and joy to everything we do.
Food, Done Well
If Susan’s story moved you, if the idea of the mind intuitively knowing what it needs resonates with you, we encourage you to learn more about the benefits of goat milk and kefir. Start small. Start simple. Whether it’s a taste of kefir or a glass of goat milk, give it a try and feel the difference for yourself.
Because when food is done well, it has the power to change lives. It’s not just about sustenance—it’s about giving the body what it needs to rebuild.
And it’s why we’ll keep milking our goats, nurturing our land, and sharing these powerful stories for as long as we can.
Curious about trying goat milk or kefir? Visit us online or at the farm store to learn more about our products and process. We’d love to connect with you. 😊
