Gil and Nancy started their Oasis Camel Dairy fourteen years ago, with four baby camels.
Currently, they offer tours to the public (their next one’s in October) along with special festivals like the upcoming Pomegranate Day in November. They also sell camel milk soap and chocolate–but cannot yet sell the milk from their camels. The sale of camel’s milk has currently not been approved for sale to the general public by the FDA. However, according to the banners on their display, Gil and Nancy are currently working to develop their ranch into the first Grade A camel milk dairy.
Now, in case you couldn’t get to the Orange County Fair today, Gil and some of the members of his unusual “farm family” will be there from now through the Fair’s closing day, Sunday, August 10th, for daily camel milking demonstrations. Times are 1:30, 3:30 and 5:30 pm.
Meanwhile, if you’re wondering about that camel milk chocolate, I did happen to conduct some first-hand research.
It was smooth, rich and delicious. Perhaps further “research” will be required.