Six weeks ago I announced the launch of a new approach to how I use Substack. I now post four article-length pieces a month, two free and two paid. I also throw in a few video updates, such as this, and I’d like to start doing these weekly, for paid subscribers. After years of wrestling with the ethical dilemmas of charging for content and profiting off the traditions and lifeways of the communities I visit, I decided to hold open a backdoor in the paywall. Anyone who would like to access the paid content in the archive can send me their email address via Instagram, FB messenger, Substack app, or email. I add those addresses to a list, and a one year comped paid subscription is given.
Since making that post, and mentioning the backdoor on Instagram, I‘ve given out 30 gift subscriptions to 30. If you sent me your email address and haven’t recieved the welcome email, message me again. The processing is glitchy, and I may have missed a few of you.
Another effect of this launch of Milk Trekker 2.0 , one I was hoping for, is that I’ve had an increase of paid subscribers. It shows me that people are willing to contribute not for access to content, perks, or the typical “subscriber benefits” that many writers offer, but because they believe in the work I am doing and want to support it. It’s been a test of the idea that when you follow your heart with no regard for the finances, the money will show up. This has worked for me all along, and this is just further proof that when you do good, the goodness flows.
In the interest of transparency and to encourage this momentum, I’ve made this video sharing the details of my income from Substack. I’ve reached an important benchmark of 10K USD a year, gross. I only spend about 20 - 24K a year, traveling constantly, so this is a substantial source of income to keep me doing this documentation. I haven’t had to work a normal job since 2021.
This is my job now.
There’s a lot of overtime, and not many days off.
I can only do it, free of institutional support, academia, and traditional routes of funding, thanks to you all.
My dear Trekkies.
I’m posting these words and images for you all, whether or not you are contributing financially. I’m doing this for the knowledge holders who I’m sharing stories about, the people who welcome me into their homes, invite me to their tables. The cheeses and livestock are their heritage. They are willing to share the techniques and stories with me, and therefore you, because they understand the importance of these dairy-focused lifeways. And that they are being lost.
This is for the cheesemakers, farmers, ranchers, pastoralists, mongers, local organic food advocates. The fermenters, anthropologists, activists, and others who are doing the work of keeping the seeds of sane pastoral lifeways alive.
From the remote village of Cajë Albania, overlooking a field of corn and beans with crumbling stone houses on the dry hills above,
Trevor
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