A dairy cooperative in Poughkeepsie may provide the blueprint for a successful creamery operation in Sullivan County. Lori Chung has more on the effort to help struggling farmers.
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POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -- "You're drawing on your savings or the equity of the farm and when that's used up, it's over," said Dr. Sam Simon.
One solution to help dairy farms in Sullivan County stay afloat may lie in Dr. Sam Simon's farm in Pleasant Valley. Faced with the same problem of rising costs and dwindling profits several years ago, Dr. Simon spear-headed the cooperative now known as Hudson Valley Fresh.
"Last year, there were farmers who were receiving $1.05 for a gallon of milk when it costs $1.65 to produce it, so they're in a dire situation. Hudson Valley Fresh guarantees $21 for 100 pounds, or $1.90 for a gallon of milk. It's a sustainable wage," Simon said.
Sullivan County leaders recently sat down with Dr. Simon to see if the strategy that made Hudson Valley Fresh a success can be applied on the other side of the Hudson. Nine farms currently participate in the non-profit cooperative. Some may not have survived without it.
The successful of the Hudson Valley Fresh brand now has the cooperative looking to expand into other products like yogurt, adding to the number of local grown dairy foods available in the region.
"The product is delicious. I like it. I always buy it. I also support it as a concept. I like to support locally grown everything," said customer Sally Taylor.
Most customers we spoke with at Adam's Fairacre Farms swear by the quality of the milk. Adam's is one of the dozens of retailers in the Hudson Valley and New York City area that carry the brand. Dr. Simon says the more business they're able to do in the future, the more farms they'll be able to include.
"Help is not on the way, no matter what they say, don't wait for the government, that's bologna. You have to do it for yourself and this is one way not the only way, but one way. One way that works. That works yes," Simon said.