The Udderly Amazing History of New York Dairy
Do you ever wonder where the milk you drink comes from? To answer that question, we need to go back in time... a long time. It all began over 400 years ago when the Hudson River Valley, named after the famous explorer Henry Hudson, became a haven for grazing cows. Here, they flourished, bringing about the most delicious milk and cheese the world has ever tasted.
Fast forward to the early 1800s, we see dairy farming expanding into Mohawk Valley, Central New York, and the Finger Lakes. As the community grew, so did the pride in their work, leading to the formation of the New York State Agricultural Society in 1851. This testament to friendship and unity led to great farms and even greater dairy results.
Dairy farming quickly became one of New York's leading agricultural activities, which prompted the establishment of the College of Agriculture at Cornell University in 1905, a source of brilliant minds striving to advance dairy farming through continuous research and education.
New York State is proud to be one of the country's top five largest dairy industries, where thousands of family-owned, multi-generational dairy farms thrive. We've even earned the title of the Empire of Cottage Cheese, standing first in the nation in its production, as well as Yogurt and Sour Cream. But beyond our delicious products, New York dairy farmers take immense pride in maintaining the highest quality and safety standards for our milk and cows.
Every glass of our milk is a result of rigorous quality checks, hygienic milking procedures, and strict adherence to safety regulations. We believe in feeding our cows a balanced diet with local forage, grains and roughage, and plenty of fresh water. We even collaborate with dairy cattle nutritionists to design perfect meal plans tailored for them. Because, after all, a healthy cow is a productive cow!
So the next time you taste our New York Dairy products, we hope you remember where it all started. Our passion for quality, safety, and love for our cows is the foundation of every product and shines through every sip or bite. So it's about time we became famous, don't you think?
Many thanks to the farms and partners featured:Tollgate Farm, Tiashoke Farm, Dykeman Farm, Hudson Valley Fresh, New York Animal Agriculture Coalition, Milk Quality Improvement Program