New! Mixed Berry KefirWe invest in the lives of our farmers, integrity of the land,
and animal health.
Dawn is about to break and dairy farmer James Swantz is wide awake, ready to milk the grass-fed cows on his 100% organic farm near the town of Kalona, Iowa. As an organic dairy producer for Kalona SuperNatural, James does most of the farm work by hand. He follows the time-honored farming traditions and methods carried down to him from his great-grandfather. It’s here on James’ family farm, settled nearly 100 years ago, where he sees how animals and plants co-exist.
James’ story is a familiar one at Kalona SuperNatural, where we work with more than 30 different Amish and Mennonite family farms, who in turn supply us with ingredients for our organic, minimally processed dairy products. Just like James, their commitment to the land resonates as the world gathers to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day this week.
Earth Day is a time set aside for people to recognize and reduce their carbon footprint, all while setting intentions to respect, restore, and protect the planet we inhabit.
This year’s Earth Day theme is ‘climate action’ – a reminder for everyone, everywhere to take steps to improve and protect the future of humanity on a global and local scale.
Kalona SuperNatural’s Commitment
Here at Kalona SuperNatural, we’re committed to the livelihood of our community and the positive impact our organic dairy farms have on a local and national level. We invest in the lives of our farmers; as environmental stewards, we ensure the integrity of the land and make sure that animal health is a top priority. We keep things simple, so you can too.
Unlike conventional dairies, we follow and adhere to strict organic agricultural practices and standards to ensure the long-term health of life on our planet, including the soil, plants, animals, and people. All of our products are minimally processed, USDA certified organic, non-homogenized, and batch pasteurized.
The USDA Certified Organic seal guarantees:
- No toxic and persistent pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, or fungicides
- No synthetic growth hormones or antibiotics
- No GMOs (genetically modified organisms)
- No irradiation or sewage sludge
- No synthetic fertilizers
Gratitude to Family Farmers
At Kalona SuperNatural, we’re committed to making organic farming a viable lifestyle for small farmers. We’re proud and grateful that the Amish & Mennonite farms we work with are dedicated to preserving and protecting the land for future generations. They know their cows do best when they harvest their feed from open grass pastures, which allows cows to engage in their natural behaviors.
For example, rotational grazing, which is used by many of our organic farmers, is the practice of moving pasture-grazed livestock between pastures. This is a simple process with complex results. The upshot of the matter is when it is done right, soil improves, more grass is grown, and cows get better nutrition.
100% grass-fed farming can seem easy, but actually it requires a significant amount of knowledge. Granted, they do not have to worry about the type of plants that are growing, but they do have to monitor forage recovery periods, soil fertility, and cow health. All of that has to work together for the cow to produce milk in adequate amounts to make it worth it for the farmer.
James sums it up best and likes that the milk his cows produce is for Kalona. He is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for the Kalona SuperNatural brand and looks forward to developing new products.
On this Earth Day and every day, know that when you buy Kalona SuperNatural dairy products, every purchase is a vote for a healthier planet. If you’re interested in learning more about Earth Day activities, click here.