By Lynnette Wright
This Friday meet Robbie and Shannon Dygert, thirteenth-generation dairy farmers of Dygert Farms in Palatine Bridge, New York, an operation that has been in the family for over 300 years. The original farmstead was deeded to the family in 1723 by the British royal family and has been run as a dairy ever since. Robbie and Shannon took over ownership of the farm in 2009 to steer it into the fourth century of operation.
Robbie and Shannon started milking 50 cows in a tie stall barn. Since then, they have gradually expanded the operation to milking 250 cows, housed in two free stalls, and converted the old tie stall barn into a double-8 parallel milking parlor.
Looking for ways to diversify the farm, the Dygerts established Dygert Farms Creamery in 2015 with the hope they would one day bottle and sell their own milk. In the early days of the creamery, Robbie and Shannon bought and distributed milk to local businesses and through home delivery, which also allowed them to build their customer base. Their hope became reality in 2021 when they began processing their own milk to sell in local grocery stores, farm stands, home delivery and in their farm store.
The Dygerts bottle and sell whole, 2% and skim milk, as well as whole chocolate milk and half and half. They also offer seasonal options, including eggnog during the holidays and maple flavored milk in the spring. In addition to their dairy products, they sell other local products, such as meat, cheese, baked goods, maple syrup and canned goods.
Source : farmers.gov