Cleopatra bathed in milk. Not in any milk, in that of donkey. For centuries, astema milk has been appreciated in many parts of the world because of its beneficial properties. Aware of these characteristics, in 2010 Gabadian Laurent Darrieumerlou began taking his first steps in the Public Works project. He produces donkey milk on his farm.

Benefits of “white gold”

Breast milk is very similar to milk, so it is the right milk for children, as explained in the space of the Herri Lan project. “It’s easy to digest this milk because it has very little fat, and it’s rich in vitamins, minerals and trace elements.” Asno milk also has the right properties for adults, for example, for people with skin diseases and intestinal problems.

Although milk in bottles is also sold on their farm, the biggest weight of the project lies in the production of milk for cosmetic products. The members of Herri Lanak produce these products in collaboration with a manufacturer of soaps: creams, soaps, gels and shampoos… From the point of view of nature, they offer quality products to consumers. They work without palm oil, parabens, ink or silicone. For distribution, they prioritize direct sales in Public Works.

With respect to animals

Respect for animals is essential for the members of the Herri Lan project. Animals stay out year-round and respect their rhythms away from intensive production. “Milk production is small, each donut gives a liter or a half of milk a day,” they say. The animals are milked twice a day, five days a week.

Darrieumerlou decided to start the Public Works project after suffering an accident in his previous work, taking into account what his grandfather had once told him: “Do what you can, with what you have.” At the time, I had an old farm and a few donkeys and I didn't think twice. “I built the project following my values and principles: creating a human-scale culture structure that allows animals to be fed and domestic products to be marketed through direct selling.”