Red Barn Farm is where I moved (I’m Jill, the youngest of the Brockman siblings) with my husband Will and our two small daughters in 1998. It is part of the Brockman Family Centennial Farm, where 5 generations of our family have lived.
We own the family farmhouse, and the 5 acres around the house and out-buildings shown in the aerial view. Our family's remaining 135 acres have been transitioned to certified organic production by our neighbor Harold Wilken and his son Ross, who certify through Indiana Certified Organic, and follow a diverse rotation of corn, soybean, wheat, oats, and hay.
Our Biodiversity
Even greater biodiversity is found around the farmhouse and barnyard. Red Barn Farm produces organically grown (but not certified) apples, pears, and hazelnuts. In addition, aronia berries, blueberries, plums, peaches and cherries are grown for family use.
Our family garden provides dozens of kinds of vegetables, and animal husbandry produces goat milk and meat, chicken and duck eggs, and chicken and duck meat. Our farm also hosts peacocks and guinea hens, as well as honey bees, and the children have rabbits, dogs, cats, a guinea pig named Charlotte, and a horse named Cowboy. The animals provide food for the family, milk for the soaps, manure and mulch for the fruit and vegetables, and entertainment for all.
Our Orchard
As Red Barn Farm was transitioning to certified organic grain and hay production, we continued to add to our apple orchard, choosing some old heirloom varieties such as Cox's Orange Pippin and Nutting Bumpus, as well as some blight resistant varieties from the New York experimental station such as Liberty and Redfree. With careful pruning early every spring, and regular applications of “Surround,” a mixture of fine kaolin clay and water, we’ve been able to raise beautiful apples that taste like apples used to taste – crunchy and bursting with juice and flavors.
As of 2011, Red Barn Farm has 70 fruit trees, including 18 varieties of apples and 6 varieties of pears. As the apple and pear trees have matured, the amount of fruit has steadily increased, as has the labor involved. Machinery and other on-farm infrastructure for small orchards is hard to come by, but we were finally able to locate an apple washer from an Illinois orchard that was going out of business. This piece of equipment has made the orchard operation more efficient, as has the cold room we were able to build, thanks to a grant from the Frontera Farmer Foundation. Next we hope to find an old hydraulic press to make our own apple cider.
A Traditional Approach
The primary way that Red Barn Farm is sustainable is through its large diversity of plants and animals. This is the traditional way that farms sustained themselves before government subsidies. If weather or other unforeseen events occur that negatively impact the animals or one variety or type of fruit, we know we can still make an income with the others.
Red Barn Farm is traditional in one other sense: the milking of goats, collecting of eggs, picking of apples and pears, and making of soap is all done by hand. As our four girls grow older, they help more and more, continuing the century-old way of life on the farm.
Before we talk about Red Barn Farm’s pure and gentle goat’s milk soaps, you need to meet the goats! Alvin, Rosa, May, Bambita, Bonita, Bette, Spicy, Fiona, Nutmeg, Monsieur, Delta, Clementine, Adelaide, Virginia, Chamomile, Frappucino, Annabelle and Lily . . . these are some of the many goats in our family, each with their own personalities. The does (female goats) provide rich milk, which is the key ingredient in our luxurious goats milk soaps.
Historians tell us that Cleopatra regularly soaked in a tub of warm goat milk . . . and no wonder! Goat’s milk has shorter casein protein strands, allowing skin to absorb the fats, vitamins, and minerals (calcium, potassium and magnesium) in the milk.
Vitamins in Goat's Milk
Provitamin B5 regenerates skin cells giving your skin a softer feel.
Vitamin A improves skin elasticity and tone helping with lines and wrinkles. Improves collagen density and smoothes skin surface.
Vitamin C An anti-oxidant which improves skin elasticity and general health.
Vitamin D sustains healthy skin tissue.
Vitamin E protects from oxidant damage. Moisturizes, anti-inflamatory, and offers healing and anti-aging effects.
Soap Ingredients
Unlike soaps from the store that contain a host of hazardous chemicals such as formaldehyde and artificial fragrances, Red Barn Farm soaps’ other main ingredients are organic olive oil and organic cold-pressed coconut oil. Then we add a variety of our own organic herbs, plus other organic spices, essential oils, oatmeal, and even aronia berries to make an ever-changing number of kinds of soap. We also have seasonal specialties such as Indian Summer and Frankincense and Myrrh.
Uses
Many people who have delicate or dry skin, or chemical sensitivities, have told us that these soaps are the only ones that they can tolerate. Others say these soaps leave their hair and skin softer and smoother than any other soap they have ever used. We think you’ll agree.
All Our Soaps
Photos © Peter Laundy
Almond Joy
Amazing Avocado
Anise and Cream
April Showers
Aronia Soap
Beer Bar
Cafe Au Lait
Calendula Baby Soap
Christmas Spice
Citrus Spice
Cranberry
Eggs-tra Cleansing
Felted Soaps
Frankinscense and Myrrh
Gentleman Farmer
Gingersnap
Heel to Toe
Honey Oatmeal
Indian Summer
Lemon Medley
Loofah Soaps
Luxurious Lavender
May Flowers
Milk Chocolate
Milk-and-Honey Facial
Pet Shampoo Bar
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Rosehip
Rosemary Mist
Salty Sailor
Silk and Milk Soap
Shampoo Bar
Snow’s Simple Soap
Tea Tree Chamomile
White Tea Pomegranate
Yogurt Parfait