Promotion encourages consumers to buy NH's Own milk
Proceeds go back to Granite State dairies
Proceeds go back to Granite State dairies
Proceeds go back to Granite State dairies
An effort is underway to save New Hampshire's dairy farms by encouraging consumers to buy local products.
The state's dairies provide $55 million in tax revenues, but the industry has been struggling.
Five generations of Yeatons have worked the family's dairy farm in Epsom, milking more than 100 cows and tending more than 300 acres of land. But several factors, including increasing costs and low milk prices, continue to threaten their way of life.
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"We've been called dinosaurs, but dinosaurs are extinct," said Stewart Yeaton. "I don't think we're there yet."
Fifty years ago, there were 850 dairy farms in New Hampshire. Now, there are fewer than 100. At risk is a local product and the Granite State landscape.
"There isn't anything that keeps more land open in the state of New Hampshire than our dairy farms, and if we lose those dairy farms, we're going to lose who we are as New Hampshire," said Shawn Jasper, commissioner of the state Department of Agriculture.
The Department of Agriculture has launched a cooperative program based in retail stores. Officials said surveys show that eight in 10 Granite Staters are willing to pay a 50-cent premium for milk featuring a "New Hampshire's Own" logo. Under the program, 43 cents of each product sold will go to dairies, with the rest going to promote the program.
But first, stores need to get on board, Jasper said.
"Unfortunately, so far, they have not been willing to say, 'Hey, we'll take the product,'" Jasper said.
Officials are asking consumers to help get the effort moving.
"They can go to their grocery store, Hannaford's or Market Basket, ask for the manager, and say, 'Please, carry New Hampshire's Own Dairy,'" said Robb Atkinson, of Millennium Agency. "Or they can go to udderlyamazingdairy.com and they can sign up to join the movement and show their support for this program."
"Consumers want local product," Yeaton said. "And this will hopefully help keep a few of these farms from exiting as quick as we have been."