New York's Dairy Boom: Opportunities and Challenges

In Watertown, New York, a rising dairy boom sparked by new large-scale processing plants presents both opportunities and challenges for local farms. Chobani is investing $1.2 billion in a state-of-the-art plant in Rome, NY, while a separate $621 million Great Lakes Cheese facility emerges near Buffalo. These developments are part of six projects across the state, with a total investment nearing $3 billion.

As Jefferson County Agricultural Coordinator Jay Matteson explains, this influx requires an additional 7 billion pounds of milk fr om New York farms, opening substantial growth prospects for local communities and schools.

However, Matteson highlights critical issues, notably the shrinking workforce. While migrant worker programs are essential, legislative action remains crucial for legal workforce expansion amid declining population trends. "If they truly want to encourage farms to make the investment that is going to be necessary, they have to alleviate concerns of, 'Wh ere will we get workers from?'" he stated, advocating for a practical solution to integrate migrant workers into the farming workforce.

Additionally, while the county’s farmland remains mainly intact, Matteson warns of potential future competition from solar farms and private ventures.

Despite the challenges, Matteson underscores the current peak in the dairy sector as a pivotal moment for strategic investments in workforce solutions to sustain the growth and prosperity of New York’s dairy farms.