DeepSummary
Stephanie and Blake Alexandre, owners of the first certified regenerative dairy farm in the U.S., discuss their 9,000-acre farm with 9,000 head of cattle in northern California. They share how they transitioned to organic farming in the 1990s, leading to their focus on building soil health and organic matter. They also discuss their milk brand, which sells A2 milk and other dairy products nationwide, especially at Whole Foods.
The Alexandres explain the concept of A2 milk, which is easier to digest for many people compared to regular cow's milk containing the A1 protein. They became interested in A2 after learning about it from a book and shifted their herd genetics to produce this type of milk. Their brand emphasizes the nutritional benefits of grassfed, A2 dairy products.
In addition to dairy, the Alexandres have a sizable pastured poultry operation with around 40,000 laying hens. They share how this business started small as a way to involve their children but grew into a major endeavor, with their eggs being sold at farmers markets and stores before their dairy products launched.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The Alexandres own the first certified regenerative dairy farm in the U.S., with a focus on building soil health and organic matter.
- They transitioned to organic farming methods in the 1990s to improve the viability of their operation.
- Their nationwide milk brand emphasizes the benefits of A2 milk, which lacks the A1 protein that contributes to lactose intolerance for many people.
- In addition to dairy, they have a substantial pastured poultry business that grew from involving their children when it started small.
- The Alexandres believe in providing premium, nutrient-dense products and feel consumers have a right to pay more for the added value.
- Regenerative agriculture principles like improving soil health have benefited their operation through increased efficiency and yields.
- Their farm spans 9,000 acres across multiple counties in northern California with around 9,000 head of cattle.
- They see their remote location as a challenge but have adapted their practices to turn it into an advantage for regenerative dairying.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “God didn't make people to not be able to drink milk. And so then a lot of people want to say, oh, well, they're not supposed, you know, they weren't meant to drink cow's milk. Now pooh pooh on that also, I don't believe that.“ by Blake Alexandre
- “We set out to do something nutritionally that wasn't being done in the dairy case. We wanted to kind of give consumers the opportunity to buy something extremely unique and what was good for them.“ by Blake Alexandre
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Episode Information
Field Work
Field Work
6/8/22
Stephanie and Blake Alexandre milk 9,000 cows on 9,000 acres in northern California. Their business — Alexandre Family Farms — is the nation's first certified regenerative dairy. On this episode, Stephanie and Blake talk about A2 milk, dairy family road trips, working with Savory Institute and the Regenerative Alliance on certification, chickens, and selling their products at Whole Food stores.