LA FARGE, WIS. – Organic Valley revealed it is adding five small, organic dairy farms in the Northeast to its farmer-owned cooperative.

The announcement introduced what Organic Valley plans on being a yearlong campaign to save such dairy farms in the region.

As reported in the New York Times, many Organic dairy farmers in the Northeast have been feeling pressure as the industry started shifting away from utilizing small farms in New England states. Organic Valley announced its new additions were dropped by Maple Hill at the end of 2021. 

Representatives from Organic Valley visited each of the five farms, as well as more than 125 others that have learned recently that companies are terminating their contracts in the months ahead.

Bob Kirchoff, Organic Valley’s chief executive officer, said the company is excited to welcome in five new family farms at this time.

“This is just the beginning: we are looking forward to offering a home to more farm families in the Northeast," Kirchoff said. "We want to help family farms in the region throughout 2022 by providing membership options. And, in turn, we're excited to be giving consumers a real choice to support farmers and their neighbors through the products we make as Organic Valley. We believe we can sustain small organic family farms in America for the next generation and reverse climate change through organic agriculture."

In order to join Organic Valley’s cooperative, farms must meet the company’s standards for animal care, quality and pasture expectations.

Organic Valley’s farming cooperative represents approximately 1,700 farmers in 34 U.S. states, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.