National Dairy Month: 'It’s not all about milking cows'
Berkshire Eagle | By Dick Lindsay, Berkshire Eagle Staff
LEE — Got ice cream? High Lawn Farm does, having recently introduced four flavors of the frozen treat to its loyal customers. The vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and coffee ice cream are the first additions to the farm’s product line in nearly a century. High Lawn has been producing highly coveted Jersey cow milk, cream and butter since at least 1918.
General Manager Roberto Laurens said an excess of heavy cream prompted farm staff to expand its offerings.
“People say Jersey cow milk makes the best ice cream,” he said.
“Besides, ice cream was the next logical choice,” added Beth White, head of business development for High Lawn.
Next year, the Summer Street dairy farm that delivers milk from the Berkshires to Boston and other parts of New England, also plans to produce, package and distribute its own cheese.
High Lawn’s expansion in the marketplace is one of several examples of the growing demand for locally produced dairy products, — an industry trend that is being highlighted during June, National Dairy Month — despite the decline of dairy farming across the state.
While the U.S. Census Bureau reported last month the number of Massachusetts dairy farms dropped from 261 to 150 since 2007, the Berkshire Grown campaign and similar promotions across the state have since helped stabilize the commonwealth’s dairy industry, according to a farming trade group.
“The benefits of buy local and eating healthier products such as dairy is paying off,” said Rena Sumner, executive secretary for the Massachusetts Association of Dairy Farmers. “Dairy farms must also be very diverse, such as offering ice cream — it’s not all about milking cows.”
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