Battenkill Valley Creamery

Drink Responsibly

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A tall glass of cold milk holds an almost iconic position at the American dinner table. The kitchen would be a far less delicious place without butter, cream, and cheese. It is surprising then, given the vast roll it plays, how little we often know about the American dairy industry. At Batten Kill Creamery we'll take the opportunity to learn from a family that's been farming for over 110 years. Don, Tracy, Seth, and Amber McEachron, have dairy farming in their blood.

We choose Batten Kill Creamery, not just because they make delicious milk, but because they are an example of entrepreneurial farming that deserves your support and attention. As your food cost numbers surely tell you the world of dairy is volatile one. On the world market, milk is priced in 100# units, in 2007 dairy farmers in the US where getting $24 a unit, today the price is set around $12 a unit. Imagine your menu prices cut in half while your costs remained constant. This is the scenario facing dairy farmers across the country. As you can imagine, farm after farm, are folding under the pressure.

By choosing to bottle on the farm, the McEachron's, have total control over the quality of their product from cow to table. They can also set prices that allow them to remain a strong, viable, farm for the next generation. Farm Camp offers a unique opportunity to learn more about these issues at their source. Seth will guide us through the world of milk and offer a taste of what makes them different. When you pull a gallon of milk from the shelf it's important to think about the real costs and please, drink responsibly.