What's in a Name?
What does 'balfour' mean? And what does it have to do with a small organic farm in Maine? Balfour is Gaelic for a community grazing land, common in European villages, from medeival to more recent times. The reason Doug and Heather chose the name 'Balfour Farm' is threefold:
- Balfour Farm's cows are fed a grass-based diet. The dairy herd at Balfour farm grazes throughout the spring, summer and fall, rotating from one paddock to another. Rotational grazing ensures the quality of the forage as well as making it a more sustainable practice.
- We focus strongly on supporting local communities and promoting local food. The 'balfour' was essential to the life of its village, in the way that local farms are at the heart of their communities. When farms and communities work together, their efforts result in better food, as well as better education and a better environment.
- We chose a name with Gaelic roots to honor our family's Irish heritage.