Our passion for camel milk began in Saudi Arabia, where our founder, Walid, was visiting his family in his hometown of Jeddah looking for raw milk. He was approached by a friend with a plastic bag of camel milk that looked “really fresh—and tasted soo good,” Walid recalls. But then he couldn’t find it anywhere in stores—only the Bedouins sold it. Since you can stop a camel herder by the road in Jeddah, it was no big deal to the locals, right? But he fell in love with it and he knew other people would, too. He found himself attached to the root cause and desiring to improve the health of people around the world.
So when Walid moved to California, he appreciated how people valued a healthy lifestyle. He realized this was the perfect place to start a camel milk company. After selling camel milk at mosques and ethnic food festivals, Walid’s business plan won the Marcia Israel Award from USC, so he decided to leave his corporate real estate position and began his camel adventure.
Having made the big commitment, he went courting the world, trying to spark a Camel Milk Revolution, and found the greatest and most friendly people. While looking for US camel herders, in the Midwest he came across a group known for being polite and down-to-earth, a group who didn’t exist in the Middle East: the wonderful Amish community, who exemplify hard work and cooperation. Watching them work together was and remains awesome to Walid. “Networking through social media just isn’t the same as teaming up with neighbors to build a barn,” he says. “If you ask an Amish farmer why they're successful, don't expect a lot of soul-searching or reflection on what they do right—the Amish will likely pin the praise on anyone else but themselves.” Walid felt that they deserved an easier way to bring their products to market, and he loves the quality of their camel milk!
Desert Farms is now bringing these rural farm families’ products to eager consumers in California and other states. “It’s exciting to bridge gaps between communities that are far apart,” he says. Small start-up companies like Desert Farms can offer real value to customers who care about what’s in and behind their products.
So join us in the Camel Milk Revolution—and thanks to everyone who makes Desert Farms a success!
Farmers are the heart of Desert Farms
Our commitment to local farming communities has created a handful of family farms across America. From the rolling hills of Pennsylvania to the sunny coast of California our commitment remains stronger than ever. After all, great camel milk starts with great local farmers and a healthy herd. All camels are pasture-raised, meaning that they are allowed to eat all the different natural flora and fauna in the pastures, a natural diet their bodies can easily handle – and one that keeps them happy and healthy.
When you choose Desert Farms as your source of camel milk, you can feel great knowing you’re supporting local agriculture across the country, along with the proud heritage of American family farmers. We celebrate our family farmers for taking on the incredible task and risk of putting the world’s healthiest dairy on America’s tables with common sense, hard work, and sheer heart.