So is the community that supports it.
Keep Local Farms is an education and contribution program that connects consumers with local dairy farmers and allows those who are interested in purchasing local foods to support their local farmers. It is a way to educate consumers about the important value of local dairy farms, raise funding to support dairy farmers throughout New England, and drive dairy sales.
Why the Keep Local Farms™ Program is Important.
New England dairy farmers are stewards of the land and contribute to the strength of our local economy by providing jobs, supporting local businesses, and attracting tourists who are drawn to New England to appreciate the scenic beauty and open, working landscape. Unfortunately, over 150 New England dairy farms have been lost in the last two years and thousands were lost in the years prior to that. New England dairy farmers are struggling to survive due to very low milk prices and high feed, energy and living costs. Because the basic price of milk is federally regulated and determined nationally, the price that local farmers receive fluctuates monthly, making it difficult for them to anticipate what their income will be on a month-to-month basis.
What you can do to help?
As a consumer who is concerned with your community and supporting local agriculture, there is something you can do:
- Buy milk, cheese, yogurt and other dairy products at the store. If you can, purchase dairy products that are made locally in our region.
- Contribute as generously as you can to the Keep Local Farms program. One hundred percent of your contribution will go directly to assist New England dairy farmers and help stabilize and enhance their income despite fluctuations in milk prices.
- Support the businesses and organizations that display the Keep Local Farms logo. Visit our Partners page to find out more about these organizations.
Together, we can provide a more stable income for dairy farmers so they can continue to produce fresh, wholesome milk that we enjoy. We can also preserve open land that supplies beautiful scenery, outdoor recreation and wildlife habitat.
