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More than milk
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| Dairies can expand their operations by producing cheese or other value-added products. |
A family farm that used to sell its milk for someone else to process now produces a variety of dairy products on farm.
The Westendorf Dairy Farm in Nashville, Mich., expanded its operation after attending the Purdue Extension Farmstead Milk-Processing Workshop. “The workshop was the first step in making our dream become a reality,” says Louisa Westendorf. “It opened the door to allow us to consider other options.”
Since the workshop, three farms, including the Westendorf farm, began processing milk on farm and producing cheese, bottled milk and ice cream. One farm also plans to add cream, butter, yogurt and pasteurized milk.
“The success of the workshop was twofold for us,” says workshop organizer Steve Engleking, Purdue Extension educator in LaGrange County. “We were excited about the producers who decided to begin on-farm processing. But it was also important that some producers discovered it wasn’t a good business move for them, because of the time, money and labor required.”
Photo Credit: Mike Kerper
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