STAMP OF APPROVAL
State program boosts local dairy farms, products
CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. » A new state initiative is designed to help local dairy farms by putting a visible stamp of approval on the milk they produce.
The New York State Grown & Certified program kicked off last August with fruit and vegetable producers, and now encompasses dairy, which comprises more than half the state’s $5.4 billion agriculture industry.
State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul and Stewart’s Shops President Gary Dake discussed the program’s benefits during a Thursday press conference in Clifton Park. Stewart’s gets its milk from a network of 30 small- and medium-sized dairies in Saratoga, Washington and Rensselaer counties.
“In eastern New York we’re blessed by the fact that most of what’s here are real family farms,” Dake said. “By buying local we’re helping keep those people in business.”
Koval Brothers Dairy, with 400 milk cows, is the largest farm in the Stewart’s supply chain.
“Our family dairy farm has worked very hard for years, producing highquality milk,” co-owner Chris Koval said. “We also work very hard at having healthy animals that live in a very good housing situation. This program will tell the public that farms under this certification are all top producers and they’ll be
sure they’re getting their milk from the best producers they can.”
Soon, all Stewart’s milk -and that of other approved processors -- will bear a small Grown & Certified sticker identifying its inclusion in the program. To qualify, milk and other ag products must be produced in New York, and meet certain food safety and environmental stewardship standards.
“It is the best you’re going to find,” Hochul said.
The media event was held at a new Stewart’s Shop on Clifton Park Center Road, one of more than 330 the convenience store chain owns.
Dairymen Tim Tudor of Elm Spring Farm in Eagle Bridge, and Dan Requate of Dothedale Farm in Valley Falls, also praised the new state program. Both of their dairies supply Stewart’s as well.
“Hopefully it will help promote fluid milk consumption,” Tudor said.
“Anything we can do to promote our business is a plus,” Requate said.
Despite booming construction, technology, and hospitality and tourism sectors, agriculture is still one of Saratoga County’s biggest industries with an estimated $34 million in sales annually.
“If you have healthy food we’re going to have an outstanding community,” said Ed Kinowski, county Board of Supervisors chairman, RStillwater.
Farming also contributes to local land and open space preservation. The county has spent $4.3 million to save more than 4,000 acres in recent years, he said.
“The New York State Grown & Certified program shines a spotlight on local farms and processors,” Ball said. “When anybody sees the Grown & Certified seal they can feel good about that product.”