Local Producer Profile

Thomas Organic Creamery

Henderson, MI

[map]

Just over an hour from Ann Arbor is nestled the farm and small organic creamery of Linda and Harley Thomas.  As self-described “city-folks” who turned their sights to the country about 15 years ago, the Thomas’ exemplify intentional business-people.  Both Linda and Harley are from Southeast Michigan originally, but it was clear to them that in order to live the life they wanted, the country would have to become their home.    

“We always had an aspiration to go to the farm.  We wanted to grow our own food to feed our family, real healthy food,” Linda says.

The Thomas’ started with crops, but felt that if they wanted to be entrepreneurs, they would need something more stable.  And it seems they chose the right niche because the Thomas' have seen demand for their Organic milk continue to rise.  Their products are now in 50 grocery stores and they sell at several farmers markets, but the Thomas’ say that, to them, PFC is the place to be.  “We were persistent to get into PFC and now it’s our marquee: we tell people, ‘You can find us at PFC!’”

Images of the sun setting over their small herd of Jersey cows on their website demonstrate the commitment that Harley and Linda have to the health and stewardship of their land. “We need to leave the land in better shape than we found it,” says the couple, who’ve given each of their cows a name (Petunia and Magnolia, to name a few!)  Each of their “girls,” as the cows are affectionately called, is raised from birth on the farm, as they try to keep a “closed herd” by not bringing cows in from other sources.  This protects their cows from potential diseases from off-the farm animals.  Their cows graze native grasses in the growing season and harvested hay in the winter.   As such the cows are not confined, are not given growth hormones, grain, soy, and are Certified Organic.  And, Harley says, that’s why their herd is small (only about 65 total, with about 30 milking), “We can only have so much as the land can support.” 

“The girls are happy and content and spend their days doing what cows should be doing – enjoying the outdoors and giving creamy, healthy milk.  Their milk is what we like to call food with integrity,” says Harley. 

Many organic dairies have expressed concern about the recent deregulation of GE alfalfa, a common feed for many organic dairy farms.  But the Thomas’ are not worried that their own farm will be affected, since they do not replant feed for their cows, but rather allow them to graze grass and fresh hay. 

“It’s disheartening to see the lack of foresight in our culture.  People want everything bigger and cheaper, but that doesn’t take into account that we are stewards of the land,” Harley reflects. 

“The same goes for our health,” Linda says.  “A lot of people want a quick-fix, but good health doesn’t happen overnight.  It requires quality food, and that’s what we try to deliver.”