ODI - Organic Dairy Initiative

New York Organic Dairy Initiative: Adding diversity to NY's Dairy Industry

Organic Dairy Initiative

The Initiative, through its connection with Cornell’s School of Ag and Life Science and Cooperative Extension, provides information to all parts of the organic dairy industry, including: the consumer, dairy retailer, dairy processor, organic certifier, and farmers. The information provided on these Web Pages will enable New York State to grow this new dairy industry into a viable farming style that responds to the needs of its consumers, its environment, and its farmers.

The Organic Dairy Initiative was created to provide research and extension to New York’s Organic Dairy Industry. Organic Dairy Production began in New York State in the 1990’s. It was the result of a growing number of consumers who were interested in dairy products produced without synthetic substances such as Hormones, Antibiotics, and Pesticides. The number of certified New York dairy farms has grown to meet the yearly increase in demand for organic milk.

Highlights

New Organic Pasture Rule

In March the long awaited Pasture Rule was published by USDA. Producers have universally welcomed the new regulations knowing that it will add to their paperwork burden but provide more security for their future.

Pasture Rule Resource Page

Increasing your viability by going organic

As smaller dairies adopt to changing markets, the Scheffers of Groton NY, have used their size to their advantage and adopted new strategies to remain viable.

As agricultural practices and consumer preferences (e.g., increased interest in organic and local products) change, farms must find ways to adapt. Small farms like Ed and Eileen Scheffler’s dairy possess greater adaptability because they haven’t made huge investments in infrastructure or equipment that would tie them to one type of production.

Scheffler organic diary
The Schaeffers hosted one of the Organic Dairy Initiative's field days in 2009