Dairy Food Processing
New York State is #1 in the production of yogurt, sour cream and cottage cheese and is also #4 in total cheese production. There has been tremendous growth in the numbers of companies coming to New York State to manufacture dairy products as a result of the high quality milk supply, proximity to markets and state-level and extension support that is given to the dairy manufacturing industry.Dairy Food Manufacturing also employs well over 8,000 people in New York State. Additionally, for every job created by dairy food manufacturers, an additional 5.6 jobs are created indirectly (i.e. through vendors, contractors, et cetra). With the growth and projected growth in dairy foods manufacturing, developing a workforce is essential to sustainability. The Dairy Foods Processing Specialists works with dairy plants, regulatory agencies, workforce development agencies and suppliers to educate a future workforce for the dairy foods manufacturing industry.
The Dairy Foods Processing Specialists also work with start-up companies. Harvest New York connects companies with technical and business resources and helps companies understand key considerations before entering the dairy business. These include providing insight into regulatory requirements, plant operations, understanding market dynamics, and emerging market trends.
Cornell's Dairy Foods Extension Team
Dairy Processing Specialists work directly with Cornell's campus-based Dairy Foods Extension team. This collaboration fosters direct communication with industry stakeholders and keeps Cornell's dairy research team aware of current and relevant industry needs.
Top 3 Considerations for Starting a Value-Added Dairy Business
One of the first questions often asked when an individual is considering adding value to their milk is, "How much capital investment it is going to take to start a project like this?" While this is a critical question when starting a business, many people do not consider the other hidden costs associated with actually operating a value-added dairy business. Food safety is a topic that new processors don't typically think about in the beginning. Here are our top 3 things to consider when looking into value-added dairy processing.
New York Dairy Industry Infographic
New York's dairy industry is impressive! This infographic shows shares info on New York's national production rankings, dairy processing plants, economic impact of the industry in the state, and much more!
Upcoming Events
Log Inoculation Party
April 28, 2024
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
New York, NY
Join us for a log inoculation party and Community Mushroom Educator (CME) reunion at the Randall's Island Urban Farm with past and prospective CMEs. We will be inoculating local tree species with shiitake and oyster spawn as part of a larger research project with the Randall's Island Park Alliance Urban Farm and Cornell Cooperative Extension. Announcements
Field Guide: Arthropod Pests of NYC Vegetables
Arthropod Pests of NYC Vegetables aims to help urban farmers and gardeners find, identify, and understand the most common and important insects and other arthropod pests found in New York City farms and gardens. Some of these pests are rarely mentioned in other guides but are common in NYC. The guide emphasizes scouting tips, including how to identify pests by the damage they leave behind, even when you can't find the insect itself.This guide was created as a collaboration between Cornell Cooperative Extension's Harvest New York team and the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program.