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Alexandre Family Farm
At the Co-op, we pride ourselves on sourcing the highest quality groceries available. Alexandre Family Farm is dedicated to producing nourishing eggs and dairy while also stewarding the land they occupy. The farm is certified organic, regenerative and humane. Anyone who is familiar with how to produce the best quality eggs and dairy knows that the care of the soil is always the farmer’s focus. Animals need rich soil, with diverse grasses and microorganisms for a quality diet. Located in Crescent City, just south of Humboldt, CA, 4th generation farmers Blake and Stephanie Alexandre care for year-round green grasses which are a product of well-nurtured soil.
In 2021 Alexandre Farm became the 1st Certified Regenerative dairy in the U.S.
Regenerative Agriculture is a holistic approach to farming that goes beyond organic practices (which prohibit the use of synthetic inputs) to work with the natural systems of the ecosystem to improve the health and biomass of the soil, increase biodiversity, improve water conservation and quality and sequester carbon to improve our planet’s resilience to climate change. Composting, maintaining a biodiverse ecosystem and meticulous pasture management have all helped to increase the biomass on the land from 1 and 2% to 8 and 15%!
A2/A2 Dairy
One of the top allergens today is dairy. There are several reasons for this, some of which are related to how much milk has been processed from its original form. Another reason people are sensitive to dairy can be because of the protein. The beta-casein found in cow’s milk is present in one of two variants: A2 beta-casein and A1 beta-casein. Originally, cow’s milk only had the A2 beta-casein protein present (A2/A2). Over time, the protein in cow’s milk has changed. Several thousands of years ago, there was a genetic mutation in the A2 beta-casein protein that created the A1 beta-casein variant, which has resulted in most commercially available cow’s milk today becoming a mixture of A1 and A2 beta-casein (A2/A1). Unfortunately, the A1 beta-casein can be difficult for people to digest and is linked to inflammation, gut discomfort and many other health issues.
It was this knowledge that prompted Blake and Stephanie Alexandre to seek out a way to breed the A1 beta-casein variant out of their herd of cows. The result? Today the Alexandres have 100% A2/A2 cows producing organic milk that is free of the A1 beta-casein mutation. Many people who thought they couldn’t tolerate dairy are able to enjoy the A2/A2 milk! And the whole milk that their cows produce is naturally 6% fat–so not only is it more delicious because it is creamier, it has the added benefit of extra fat*!
Alexandre Kids Eggs
Their pastured eggs started as a business for the 5th generation of the Alexandre family. They were taught how to hand gather the eggs and make sure the hens were outside every day, foraging on organic green grass that they share with the dairy cows. They have shelter in the mobile coops so that they’re always roaming. It’s all part of the regenerative farming practices! Eggs produced in this environment are high quality, nutrient-dense protein and fat* for those choosing animal sources. They also contain monounsaturated fats, riboflavin, phosphorus, selenium, choline, and vitamins B12 and A.
The pastured eggs are:
In addition to the whole milk and eggs, we also currently carry Alexandre Family Farm A2/A2 whole milk yogurt, chocolate milk and ginger turmeric milk. During the holiday season, you can also get one of the best eggnogs on the market!
* From a whole food, ancestral health standpoint, eggs and whole fat milk produced how Alexandre Farms does, can be nutrient dense foods for folks who tolerate them. More information to come in a future post on healthy fats.
Listen to the latest episode of the Co-op Scoop featuring Blake and Stephanie Alexandre to learn more about Alexandre Family Farm.
Alexandre Family Farm
7955 Bailey Road
Crescent City, California 95531
https://alexandrefamilyfarm.com/
This information is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your physician or healthcare provider.
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