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Wisconsin farmstead milk bottlers revive tradition
Dairies offering glass-bottled milk in on-farm stores, home delivery
For Release: Jan. 10, 2006
Contact: Jeanne Carpenter, DATCP, 608-224-5115.
MADISON – While the days of glass-bottled milk and home delivery may have disappeared from most neighborhoods, the tradition is making a resurgence in Wisconsin, where more dairy farmsteads are bottling their own milk and adding value to family farms and communities.
Farmstead milk-bottling plants are found in nearly every corner of the state, with many selling pasteurized glass-bottled milk and farmstead dairy products in on-farm stores and offering home delivery.
Eight milk-bottling plants dot the state, from Tetzner Dairy in northern Bayfield County, to Sunshine Farms, a goat’s milk bottler in southern Wisconsin. Two more are under construction, and the Dairy Business Innovation Center is working with a half dozen more dairy producers who are considering building bottling facilities.
“More consumers are seeking products directly from producers, and Wisconsin dairy entrepreneurs are responding to that trend. What better way is there for a producer to connect with a customer then to offer a fresh, wholesome bottle of milk that, in many cases, came from that same farmer’s cow less than 24 hours before purchase,” said Dan Carter of the DBIC.
Castle Rock Organic Dairy co-owners Wayne and Carla Kostka can attest to consumer interest. The Osseo dairy producers began bottling milk from their 100-cow organic herd in June 2005. They now sell their glass-bottled milk and farmstead ice cream, as well as other local dairy products in their on-farm store, in regional grocery stores and offer home delivery in the Eau Claire area.
“The feedback from our customers is fabulous – they are constantly remarking on the quality and taste. The older generation enjoys the bottled milk because it reconnects them to their youth, and the younger generation buys it simply because it tastes good,” Carla Kostka said.
Crystal Ball Organic Dairy owner Troy DeRosier, who bottles his 100-cow organic herd’s milk near Osceola, agrees. In addition to offering glass bottled milk, butter and cheese curds at his on-farm store, DeRosier also runs a home delivery route within 30 miles of his farm.
“Milk doesn’t get any fresher than when you’re buying it directly from the producer,” DeRosier said.
Milk bottlers not only enjoy offering a premium product to consumers, but many say that diversifying their dairy businesses has additional rewards, including stabilizing farm income and providing another route for future generations to become involved in the family farm.
“If a family is growing and more members want to join, there’s a place for everybody – from overseeing production, to doing the marketing, to running a delivery route. A family can stay in this business, even if everybody doesn’t want to milk the cows,” DeRosier said.
Unsure of whether bottled milk is available in your neighborhood? Contact the Wisconsin milk bottler closest to you:
Castle Rock Organic Farm, Osseo
Family farmstead dairy producing fresh, cream-line organic milk in glass bottles from a 100-cow organic herd. Product available at on-farm store and sold locally. Phone: 715-597- 0085.
Crystal Ball Organic Dairy, Osceola
A family-owned organic dairy farm producing cream-line glass-bottled milk, Available through a local delivery route and in select retail stores statewide. Phone: 715-294-4090.
Davis Farm, Kennan
The Davis farm uses traditional farming methods to achieve sustainable agriculture and to market farm fresh milk from their own on-farm store. Phone: 715-474-3454.
Lamers Dairy, Appleton
“Dairyland Best” milk available at regional retail stores. Home delivery available to North Milwaukee and Madison area through LW Dairy. For delivery info, phone 920-887-9288 or visit the web at www.lwdairy.com.
Tetzner Dairy, Washburn
Northern Wisconsin’s longest-running milk bottling operation. Bottled milk available at onfarm store and also available locally. Phone: 715-373-2330.
Weber Dairy, Marshfield
Processing farmstead fresh cow’s milk from the family’s Century Farm dairy herd. Weber’s Farm Store features a drive-up window. Phone: 715-384-5639.
Wisconsin Organics, Bonduel
Producers of Wisconsin Organics are committed to a high standard of care for their cows. Milk is available in glass or plastic bottles. Phone: 920-475-7606 or visit the web at www.wiorganics.com.
Sunshine Farms, Portage – Goat’s Milk
The only Wisconsin source of Grade A bottled milk direct from one farm – this bottled goat milk is whole milk, not homogenized and is available year-round. Phone: 715-526-1752.
For more information on Wisconsin dairy artisans, visit www.wisconsindairyartisan.org or contact Jeanne Carpenter, DBIC, at 608-224-5115.
The Dairy Business Innovation Center offers technical assistance to dairy producers and processors in developing value-added dairy products, business planning and market development.
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