If you’ve dreamed of operating your own small dairy, read on.
A Middletown, N.Y., farm is the first in the country to purchase a LiLi Pasteurizer from Bob White Systems, a micro-dairy supplier based in Royalton, Vt.
Rose and Lee Hubbert, with their partner, Mike O’Dell, will sell bottled milk, milk soaps and other value-added dairy products from their 48 Holstein and jersey cows under the “Old Mother Hubbert” label at New York City Greenmarkets and locally.
“The LiLi Pasteurizer is the best, FDA-approved low input-low impact HTST pasteurizer on the market,” says Steven A. Judge, the founder of Bob-White Systems and one of the chief designers of the LiLi. He adds: “This is revolutionary technology that works flawlessly and is gentle on the milk and saves valuable time.” The Hubberts and O’Dell were prepared to turn in an application to install a vat pasteurization system when the LiLi passed inspection by the State of Vermont and received a favorable FDA review.
“The LiLi puts out the capacity we need without damaging the milk,” says Rose. “We did lots of taste tests of vat-pasteurized milk and feel that LiLi milk is as close to raw as you can get. The LiLi is the least invasive pasteurization method on the market, which was a major selling point.”
“The LiLi opens up new income streams for dairy farmers like the Hubberts who wish to legally produce value-added products onsite,” says Judge. “It has the potential to make locally-produced, safe and delicious farm-fresh milk and other dairy products readily available again,” adds Judge.
The LiLi pasteurizer is available at a significantly lower price than comparable machines — $75,000 (depending on upgrades, installation costs and accessories), and Bob-White Systems offers financing options and cash rebates on complementary equipment.
“The LiLi pasteurizer is truly low input and low impact. It requires very little energy, time and resources to set up,” adds Judge. The LiLi pasteurizes at between 163 and 165 degrees and holds that temperature consistently to within one degree. It operates so dependably and at such consistent temperatures that the milk is not diverted and reheated during the pasteurization process.” This protects the overall quality of the milk and produces a superior end product that will make better-tasting milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products.
The LiLi pasteurizer is in full compliance with all pertinent regulations, including the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO). The machine is now approved for legal use in all 50 states, pending local, routine inspections.
LiLi benefits include:
- Low Impact Continuous heating process has a low impact on the nutritional value and flavor of the milk. A gentle pumping action further preserves milk’s creamy, rich taste and consistency.
- Legal The LiLi pasteurizer is in full compliance with the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance. This means that dairies and dairy-food producers of all sizes can easily and legally pasteurize milk on site.
- Efficient Inline system pasteurizes milk at a rate of two gallons per minute—much faster, and using much less energy, than traditional vat pasteurizers. Revolutionary, regenerative heating process returns 85% of process heat, making the LiLi the most efficient small-scale pasteurizer on the market.
- Standard, Modular Construction Requires only 5 hookups – 240 VAC input, standard 120-volt amp circuit, water, raw milk input, and a drain. No additional infrastructure or external heat source required. Compact size (approximate 6-foot square design) makes it easy to use and install. In addition, the LiLi has an automated “Clean-in-Place” System. The machine requires minimal training or operator input during use.
The LiLi ships pre-assembled and requires almost no maintenance during use. The best part is that it does the same job as other small HTST pasteurizers and delivers a better-tasting end product.
The Hubberts and O’Dell plan to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony in July to mark the official opening of their LiLi Milk Plant. They plan to sell milk, milk soaps and other value-added dairy products under the Old Mother Hubbert label.
About Bob-White Systems
Bob-White Systems provides innovative equipment, supplies, technology and resources for the local production of safe, farm-fresh dairy products. Bob-White Systems, creators of the LiLi pasteurizer, provides farmstead dairy consulting services and affordable small-scale dairy equipment including bulk tanks, portable milking equipment, dairy and cheese making supplies for micro dairies milking cows, sheep, goats and even water buffalo. Inspired by the Slow Food movement, Bob-White Systems supports local, farmstead dairy farmers across the country and aims to increase the availability of locally-produced, safe and delicious farm-fresh milk, cheese and yogurt. To learn more about the company, visit them online at bobwhitesystems.com and LiLiMilk.com, on Facebook at Facebook.com/FarmsteadDairy and on Twitter @FarmsteadDairy.
About Back to the Future Farm
Back to the Future Farm is a small, locally-owned farm operated by Rose and Lee Hubbert with their son Joshua, along with Mike O’Dell, in Middletown, New York. Back to the Future Farm is a producer of antibiotic and hormone-free poultry and poultry products and Old Mother Hubbert cream line milk and dairy products. To learn more about Back to the Future Farm, visit them on Facebook at Facebook.com/backtothefuturefarm.
