Enjoying Soulard Farmers' Market Vendors Devoted to The Quality of Their Products: We are fortunate to have some incredible food producers at market booths. For example, consider the pure, artisan farmstead goat milk cheese available at the Baetje Farms booth. Use of the word "farmstead" signifies cheese made solely from milk from the cheese maker's own animals. An artisan, of course, is a skilled worker or craftsman. That would describe Veronica and Steven Baetje. Read what they write in their pamphlet: "We believe the best cheese comes from the best milk. The best milk comes from animals that are in the best physical condition."

Lafayette Square neighbors Bridgid Simpson, right, a retired art teacher, and Lyn deMoss, owner of Studio L, a drapery workroom, enjoy a time out flavored with Coeur de la Creme goat milk cheese from Baetje Farm, Bloomsdale, MO. Baetje Farm products include a number of designer goat milk cheeses, including cranberry and orange, as well as raspberry and dark chocolate flavored Coeur de la Creme. (People Productions photo by Clark Rowley)

They continue: "Our dairy goats receive an unlimited supply of filtered spring water to drink. We supplement that with organic herbal teas, which they love warm, especially in the cold of winter. They receive daily: organic mineral supplements, locally grown alfalfa hay, browse pasture and are fed an all natural antibiotic free whole grain ration that has been custom prepared to our specifications. We make sure that our goats are receiving the correct amounts of protein, vitamins, minerals and other necessary nutrients. Our goats are free to choose what they prefer to do, whether it is to skip and run up a hill, lie in the shade of a tree, soak up some sunshine or play with one of their herd mates." Some people get less respect than the goats at Baetje Farms. You know what they say: "Respect for your animals shows you respect yourself, your products and your customers."

Baetje Farms produces three different goat cheeses in limited supply. They are: (1) Coeur de la Creme, a heart shaped fresh cheese which is handcrafted and seasoned with a variety of fresh dried organic herbs, including garlic and chive, dill, 3 pepper blend, herbs de province and plain. (2) Coeur du Clos, a soft-ripened cheese that ages from the outside in. This product gets progressively softer, sometimes to the point of runniness and is inspired by camembert. It is made with wholesome unpasteurized milk and aged 60 days. (3) Fleur de la Vallee, a hard cheese which has been pressed and aged. It is produced from unpasteurized milk and aged for a year.

The Baetje family and their products are interesting. Visit with them at booth 18. And see how lucky we are to have them at the Soulard Farmers' Market. Schedule: Saturdays from 6:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., during the spring, summer and fall months. For more information, e-mail the Baetje's at baetjefarms@earthlink.net or visit their web site at http://baetjefarms.com.