Thurman, NY – Guest Written by Mike Stermer
Hidden away on a rural route in the Adirondacks, Nettle Meadow is an idealist goat farm. Founded 5 years ago by a couple in the midst of mid life crisis, Nettle Meadow is farming at it’s best. Not only do each of their 300 goats have names, but Lorraine, one of the co-owners who gave us a free tour, knows each and every one of their names. The goats, along with their sheep neighbors, all lend their milk to their artisan cheeses made on the farm. They make several varieties. The flavored chevres that we tasted were only two days old, fresh from the goats. They even have 3 varieties of ages cheeses, aged in the 200 year old stone basement of the farm house. Their “Kunik” is a not to be missed semi-aged cheese with a super creamy texture.
It’s really nice to see a small family owned farm doing things with care, and worrying about quality and not quantity. The goats are all treated quiet well. Unlike many other farms they allow their goats to naturally grow their horns out. In the back of the farm they have 7 acres of free range roughage to roam through. The largest and oldest of the barns they use as a sanctuary for rescue animals including a thoroughbred horse with an injured leg, cow calves, chickens, roosters, ducks and even a peacock. They even use llamas as sheep dogs to help the keep away the wilds.
Of course their cheeses can be found at local restaurants in the Lake George, but they also venture out much future than that. NYC’s Murray’s cheese as well as many local eateries carry lines of their cheese as well. So if you can’t make it up there for a Saturday or Sunday free tour at noon, be sure to search out some of their cheese and taste farm food done right.
Click here for the rest of Nettle Meadow Farm
at Smorgasburg
590 Madison Ave
from the Barefoot Contessa