Dairy farms in Alabama seem to be disappearing. The census of agriculture shows that in 2017 Alabama was home to 366 milk cow farms. In 2022, that number is 92.
Amber and David Keener are first generation dairy farmers in Cullman County. They operate Bare Bottom Farms, a micro-dairy farm, with their 6 children.
It is a commitment fewer and fewer people in Alabama are willing to make. One of the reasons is the strict milking schedule.
“About 5:30 in the morning we milk, and about 5:30 in the afternoon we milk,” said David Keener, dairy farmer at Bare Bottom Farms. “You are fully committed to the farm. There’s no going away for the weekend, there’s no going away for the day.
ALFA says the cost of dairy we see in stores is slightly impacted because of these farms dwindling away. Yet, the prices are affected in other ways as well, like trucking and supplies.
“We want to do right by our customers, but at the same time we have to make a living,” said David Keener.
The Keener family is dedicated to producing farm fresh raw milk. They live by the farm to table philosophy.
“The local communities are looking to have that know your farmer, know your food expectation,” said Amber Keener. Most of the customers that come to us are because they want to have that one-on-one relationship with us, they want to see my kids playing outside and they want to be able to know us.”
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