Dairy Farmers Find Cash Cow in “Buy Local” Movement

As wholesale milk prices sink and land prices skyrocket, the nationwide trend among dairy farmers has been to sell their land to housing developers and get out of the milk business.

But the market for local and sustainable dairy products is growing, and for many farmers this burgeoning niche has become a gateway to financial stability.

By labeling their milk “locally produced” and selling to the ever-expanding pool of consumers who are willing to pay more for better milk, small dairy coops are able to command a higher price for their milk. This pricing enables farmers to maintain high standards of milk production, without having to cut corners to make ends meet. It also means that small farmers in the northeast US can continue operating without succumbing to the pressures of the conventional food system, and can choose to raise their animals more sustainably without the use of antibiotics, artificial hormones, and low-quality feed.

Consumers that opt to buy local aren’t just choosing fresher milk, they’re choosing to support a more sustainable food system, with farmers that are paid fairly for their product and local landscapes covered in pasture rather than sprawl. People are paying a little more for their milk, and farmers and consumers alike are getting a lot more in return.

You can take part in this movement by supporting farmers in your local area. Visit the Eat Well Guide to find dairy farms near you.

Dairy farmers get more milk money