Barstow’s Dairy Store and Bakery and CISA, Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture, kicked off the Dairy Month Lecture Series on Sunday, June 3 at Barstow’s Longview Farm.
In case you missed it, we have this short recap for you:
- While many consumers are eager to support local agriculture, many dairy farms are largely left out of the picture.
- This is because most dairy farmers sell their milk wholesale – not doing the processing and bottling on site themselves.
- Most dairy farms, like Barstow’s Longview Farm, are a part of a dairy cooperative.
- Dairy farms make up 2% of the state,
- but they account for 9% of agricultural sales
- and steward 10% of the agricultural land in the Commonwealth!
- Massachusetts dairies produce over 27 million gallons of milk each year
- 20% of milk consumed statewide is from Massachusetts.
- The average dairy farm in the state has 119 cows (Barstow’s has 510).
- The average Massachusetts cow costs $1,975 annually.
- And the price of milk per hundred weight in the state is $16.80.
- Dairy farms are in trouble.
What can you do to help? Here are a few ideas:
- Support local farms by buying directly. While Barstow’s doesn’t bottle their milk, you can still buy lunch, grocery items, or goodies from the bakery to help the farm sustain a future.
- Get your daily nutrients from dairy products instead of dairy alternatives.
- Most local grocery chains will be selling store brand milk that contains milk from New England cows. Check out whereismymilkfrom.com to track the Plant # on dairy products.
- Spread the word! Share this post or tell your family and friends about what you’ve learned about local dairy! You are a Local Hero!