Our Cooperative's
Beginnings
In the early part of January 1964, the
milk market for Jefferson County farmers was economically threatened. Dealers in the
Southern Tier had started charging .10/cwt for hauling milk. This act, along with
pressure from Jefferson County Milk Dealers to build larger milk houses and put in larger
bulk tanks, made it the right time to organize an operating cooperative. |
A group of farmers were invited to sit
down and discuss possibilities on January 24, 1964. From this meeting,  eleven farmers committed
themselves to sell their milk as a unit and to work together to organize a bulk milk
cooperative in Jefferson County. Thus, Jefferson Bulk Milk Cooperative, Inc. was formed.
On April 1, 1964 the first milk was
delivered to United Milk Products Corp, Adams Center, NY. The first milk cooperative in
Jefferson County had grown to 27 members, mostly from the towns of Hounsfield, Brownville
and Orleans.
In 1970 it was decided to start selling
New York State Cheese to help support the agricultural industry. This over the years has
grown into the present Cheese Store. Our products are New York State produced,
including local products such as Maple Syrup and Honey.
Associate Link: Dairy Data Processing
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