about our family & farm
Our family has been farming in the Long Green Valley for over 100 years and five generations. John Mathias Prigel moved to the property which is now Bellevale Farm as a share cropper in 1895, and Prigels have been dairy farming here ever since. We are now diversifying our farming practices to enable our business to survive in changing times. Prigel Family Creamery will allow Bellevale Farm to be economically and environmentally sustainable and a continuing part of Long Green Valleys agricultural heritage.
going organic
Bellevale Farm received its organic certification in 2008, and while we currently no long re-new the certification, we still adhere to the same farming practices. Organic practices ensure the good health of our herd and the high quality of our milk. Our 150 milk cows graze fresh grass day and night. We prefer natural holistic remedies for the health of our cows instead of antibiotics and synthetic hormones. The average dairy cow on industrial farms only lives about four years, with two years milk production. We breed our cows for longevity and strong bodies, instead of high milk production so our cows will have “15 trouble-free years” of productive life. Our milk meets or exceeds quality standards and our cows’ health is excellent, clearly their lifestyle agrees with them.
our mission
Prigel Family creamery will process milk from Bellevale Farm into fresh, nutrient dense dairy foods from cows that graze on grass grown from organically balanced soils. We are committed to our community, to integrity in our stewardship of the land, and to humane treatment of our animals, we acknowledge our dependence on God to provide and sustain our farm to make it economically viable for future generations.