Did you know that there are only 4 Biodynamic dairy farms in the whole country? The milk used to make our ice cream comes from one of them! We feel very lucky to have created a partnership with Chester County’s Seven Stars Farms, which provides us with milk & cream for our ice cream. We have even made it possible to be waste free by using reusable metal canisters to transport the dairy to our kitchen weekly!

Seven Stars Farm is a Biodynamic and Organic farm located in Phoenixville PA - about 40 miles from our Philadelphia Creamery. They have a closed herd of Jersey cows, this means that every cow was born and raised on their farm. In addition to spending a lot of time on pasture, their diet is reinforced with a variety of crops all grown organically on the farm. It is crucial for the herd to eat well and live healthy lives. If a cow gets sick and dies, they can’t simply buy a new one. While dairy cows often live for only 4-6 years, the oldest cows currently at Seven Stars are 13 and 14.

Not many folks are familiar with Biodynamic Farming as we mostly see the terms Organic or Grass Fed when it comes to sourcing dairy products. Seven Stars Farm is one of a handful of farms in the United States that are certified as Biodynamic. While organic farming can be done on industrial scales, and “grass-fed” can be a nebulous designation, Biodynamic farming is a well-defined regenerative and holistic approach which views the entire farm as a living organism.

Biodynamics focuses on both practical and spiritual protocols that recognize the interconnected relationship of the soil, plants, animals, and the cosmos. The spiritual elements of the practice may seem strange at first, but they infuse the activities of the farm with a great deal of intentionality.

One of these practices that we find fascinating is Preparation #500 (aka horn manure). In the fall, the hollow horns of past cows are filled with the manure of a healthy lactating female bovine and buried. This happens in the Fall when the energy from all living things is returned and stored in the Earth. Then in the Spring they dig up the horns and add them to the preparations - a mixture of water, organic matter, & manure - which is then mixed in a figure 8 (like the Infinity symbol). These preparations, a clear & concentrated liquid of nutrients, is then returned to the land in which the cows graze and live. The intention is to help moderate and regulate biological processes as well as enhance and strengthen the life (etheric) forces on the farm.

These traditions & techniques can be seen in the quality of their milk, cream, yogurt, and even in our ice cream. When setting out to make a good product, starting with an ingredient that has had this much care for over 30 years is a game changer. We think that Seven Stars Farm is such a special place and we want to elevate their presence & story with all of our customers.

Seven Stars Partnership : Biodynamic Farming