ORISKANY, N.Y. — While 2020 has doled out an abundance of frustrations, challenges and disappointments with far reaching effects, there remains a great deal to be thankful for in the dairy industry across New York State. Mother Nature has blessed the Northeast with a beautiful and dry fall, allowing for a timely and productive corn silage harvest, soybean and corn grain combining are underway, and the ability to view and appreciate the fall foliage as it reveals itself is, undoubtedly an added bonus.
The New York Dairy of Distinction Program is happy to provide another positive highlight in the announcement of the 2020 Dairy of Distinction Award recipients. Developed out of the Northeast Dairy Farm Beautification Program in 1983, the Dairy of Distinction Program recognizes the hard work and dedication of dairy owner / operators who have attractive, well-kept farms and promote a good dairy image. The Dairy of Distinction Program is based on the concept that attractive farmsteads enhance consumer confidence in the dairy industry.
This year, thirteen applications from across the state were received, resulting in seven farms being awarded. Winning farms are given a Dairy of Distinction sign to display roadside and also agree to maintaining the requirements of the program. In order to remain a Dairy of Distinction farm, a farm must continue to ship milk and upon annual re-evaluation of each farm, the farm must maintain a score of 90 or above.
The NY Dairy of Distinction Program is extremely appreciative of the financial support it receives from American Dairy Association –Northeast (ADANE). ADANE has a long standing relationship with the NY DOD program and is instrumental in providing direction and recommendations for this volunteer based organization. This award program is also made possible in large part from the participation of several Cornell Cooperative Extension educators across the state. These boots on the ground educators offer time and knowledge of local dairy communities that allow our state wide organization to network regionally and maintain the integrity of this award program. We would also like to acknowledge the continued support from the H.W. Naylor Co., home of the Dr. Naylor products, located in Morris, NY, for their commitment to mailing out the Dairy of Distinction metal signs to recipients.
Congratulations to the following farms that have been awarded the 2020 Dairy of Distinction Award:
- Samuel and Monica Clark, Podonque Dairy, Alleghany County
- Dylan Barber, Barber Farm, Cortland County
- Thomas Brouillette, Poverty Hill Farm, Oneida County
- Jason and Laura Stanimer, Stanimer Farm, Oneida County
- Brian Darrow, Swamp Bottom Farm, Madison County
- Sarah Hardy, Hardy Family Farms, L.L.C, Herkimer County
- Bucky Coon, Hill-n-Hollow Farm L.L.C, , Dutchess County
–Marylynn Collins
President NY Dairy of Distinction Program
Dairy/Livestock Educator
CCE of Oneida County
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