Milk
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When you think about Connecticut dairy farms, you might think about the glass of fresh milk on your table. While dairy farms produce fresh milk and dairy every day, they also do much more than that. They are an important part of Connecticut’s economy, landscape and contribute to the community.  They are small, mostly family-run businesses that preserve farmland, care for their cows and help to inspire the next generation of farmers. Here are 5 ways Connecticut dairy farmers make an impact that reaches far beyond the farm; all while providing fresh, local food for Connecticut families.

1. CT Dairy Farms Support the Local Economy

Connecticut’s dairy farms have a $2.2 billion economic impact and support thousands of jobs across the state.  A dairy farm is a year-round operation. Cows need care every day of the year, and on many farms, the work begins before sunrise. Keeping a dairy farm running takes a dedicated team, from farm families and employees to calf feeders, crop growers, nutritionists, veterinarians, equipment specialists, and other local professionals.

When you choose locally produced dairy, you’re supporting more than a farm, you’re helping strengthen the network of families, businesses, and communities that make Connecticut agriculture possible.

Want to see what a full day on the farm looks like? Read CT Dairy Farmers: A Day in the Life on the Farm.

2. Cow Care Comes First

Healthy, comfortable cows produce high-quality milk, which is why cow care is a 365-day job on a CT dairy farm. Each cow’s diet is built around her health, age, milk production and personal nutritionist’s plan. Most farms blend corn silage, haylage, grain and soy meal into one balanced mix, a lot like following a recipe.

Health is watched just as closely. Veterinarians visit regularly, and on some farms, cows wear a fitness-tracker-style necklace that helps farmers catch health issues early.

Then there’s comfort. Beds stay deep and dry, automatic brushes give back scratches around the clock, and fans and misters keep the herd cool in summer. On some farms, robotic milkers let each cow decides when she’s ready to be milked, which keeps stress low. All that care adds up to fresh, nutritious, local milk for your community.

3. CT Dairy Farms Preserve Farmland

Connecticut dairy farms help preserve more than 70,000 acres of working farmland, roughly 70% of the state’s agricultural land base.  In addition, about 28 CT dairy farms work on permanently preserved farmland, about 16,027 acres including forest and wetlands. That land can only be used for agriculture, one more way dairy farmers help protect Connecticut’s open spaces.

Connecticut dairy farmers look after the land, air and water they depend on. Cover cropping and no-till planting help them build healthy soil and keep waterways clean. Even manure gets a second life. For example, Freund’s Farm turns composted manure from Canaan View Dairy into biodegradable planting pots for gardens.

4. Farmers Contribute to Connecticut Agriculture’s Next Generation

Most CT dairy farms are family owned with many passing from generation to generation.  For example, River Plain Dairy has been in the Cohn family since 1968, and Jeff Cohn now runs it with his wife and four kids. Fort Hill Farms, the last dairy farm standing in Thompson, has milked cows since 1943, and the family hopes to hand it down once more.

Farmers also open their barns to future farmers. Many host school tours and lead 4-H clubs, part of UConn Extension’s youth development program, and Fairholm Farm runs a summer camp where kids learn about dairy cows, sustainability and the teamwork behind a modern farm. College students get the same chance through UConn’s Dairy Winter Travel Course.

Hear it from the farmers themselves in Farming Is Tough, Here’s Why We Chose It.

5. CT Dairy Farms Produce Fresh, Local Food for Your Family

Now for the tastiest part. Local milk becomes products enjoyed by families throughout the state and beyond. From creamy yogurt to farm-made cheese and ice cream, you can enjoy delicious products made in Connecticut.

At Shaggy Coo’s Farm and Creamery in Easton, everything is processed right on the farm, so the team can experiment with small batches of milk and yogurt. Near Storrs? Visit the UConn cows, then grab a milkshake or sundae at the UConn Dairy Bar.

Local dairy also has a special place in the kitchen, especially during the holiday season. Milk and butter add richness and creaminess to mashed potatoes, while cheese can turn a simple casserole into a family favorite. From everyday meals to holiday traditions, many of the foods we love simply wouldn’t be the same without fresh, local dairy.

Planning your holiday menu? Try these 7 Delicious Thanksgiving Recipes to Impress Your Family.

Milk goes from the farm to your fridge in about 48 hours, and some farms even deliver. Every glass also brings 13 essential nutrients, including calcium, protein and vitamin D.

Supporting a CT dairy farm can be as simple as what goes in your grocery cart or where you spend a Saturday. Find a dairy farm near you and see it up close.