What draws you to Maid N Meadow’s booth at the Richland Park Farmers’ Market is not the selection of cheese available for sampling, but the “very official” 8-year-old boy standing behind the table.
“Would you like to try some cheese?” Philo beckons you to his booth giving you a toothpick before you even answer. Who can resist the charms of an 8-year-old boy in suspenders with the politeness of a generation gone by? This is Maid N Meadows, a small cheese company run by Daniel Showalter and family in Windsor, Kentucky.
When asked if they’re Amish or Mennonite and if pictures are allowed, Daniel explained that they are neither and yes, photo away.
You see Daniel Showalter and family were ostracized from their community for not ostracizing others. “I don’t feel it’s right to toss other out for their beliefs. I don’t believe it’s my right to be judge and jury. How do we address this, as I feel it’s important.
Daniel’s grandfather ran a dairy and so did his uncle and great uncles. The family kept 2 or 3 cows for milk. He cannot remember a time he didn’t enjoy being around them. At the age of nine he started milking for a neighbor’s commercial dairy on weekends. By the time he was in his twenties he was milking his own cows. It was then that he became disenchanted and left the Mennonite community. He also became increasingly frustrated with commercial practices that were hard on the cows, encouraged soil erosion, and used harmful chemicals. When milk prices fell flat and milking companies were looking to shake off small producers, he had to shut down the operation. But I knew there was a better way that lie ahead.
With the help of many friends Daniel is now milking and making cheese in a sustainable way. Fast forward 12 years and Daniel and his wife Keely and their blended family of 8, farm and make cheese in Winchester, KY. Their cheese is made from 100% raw milk from their grass fed cows.
But Daniel Showalter is anything but old fashioned. Maid N Meadow has a website, online ordering, delivery and cell phones. Daniel believes that if we network more we can accomplish some good that is profound. And he lives by that mantra.
You can find Maid N Meadows at The Richland Park Farmers Market and on their website maidnmeadows.com