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helps bring important information to an audience eager to learn more about the Buy Fresh and Local movement in the Midwest.
Your FarmsToFood advertisement puts your message in front of people who are seeking farmers and other producers who "get" the buy fresh and local concept.
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Contact:
Bill Lubing
608-235-5522
bill@farmstofood.com
It was a trip to the newly opened Subway in town and hearing how well it was doing that helped inspire Betty Lou Cauffman to, "get off my duff and start doing something different. I had read an article about Emus in Parade and started doing some research on them. At that time there was almost nothing."
That was in 1994. After buying a couple of pairs Betty Lou was off and running with Valley View Emus. Nestled in the southwestern corner of the state between Dodgeville, Platteville, and Prairie du Chien, Valley View is "kind of an Old McDonald's Farm," according to Betty Lou. What she brings to market, though is some of the healthiest meat available.
Considered a red meat, Emu is low in fat, high in protein, iron, phosphorus, copper, and other essential nutrients.
Valley View raises their emu on pasture, in a free-range environment. Betty Lou says the meat contains no artificial hormones, steroids or antibiotics. It's available as steaks, steak logs (like a roast), wieners, brats, ground bulk, and sausage along with sticks and jerky. Like most lean red meat, emu should be cooked slowly and over a lower heat..
While Betty Lou raises the meat, "because it's heart healthy," she says that emu oil is the "gold" of the animal. "My oil is processed so that it can be taken internally or externally. It is high in Omega- 3, 6, 9, and Vitamin E." Betty Lou's emu oil is available on her web site but not at the DCFM because it's considered a cosmetic. With 98 percent of the bird able to be used, there is also a high demand for emu eggs.
"The eggs are edible," explains Betty Lou. "They're a little sweeter than a chicken's egg. The egg shells are made of eight layers. People use a Dremel to slowly etch each layer until you get to white." In fact, there are courses available on emu egg carving. Check out
www.carvedeggshells.com for some incredible examples.
Whether you're interested in purchasing the meat or getting more information on the oil, Betty Lou is the one to visit at market.
