tailieunhanh - Dairy Farms for the Future: Diversifying farms to expand direct markets for milk products

In Pakistan, a two-tiered action plan is required: to develop systems, which provide profitability for the smallholder and maintain quality through the supply chain, while assisting the development of larger scale commercial farms. We believe the co-existence of both kinds of farms is the reality of dairying in Pakistan and development efforts must provide solutions for both smallholders and commercial farmers. The Chinese model of farm development may provide a good example. Milk production in China is very diverse. There are large farms, usually owned by dairy processors that utilize some of the latest management,. | Dairy Farms for the Future Diversifying farms to expand direct markets for milk products Authors Kerri Sands Maine Farms Project of Coastal Enterprises Inc. Unity Maine and Russell Libby Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association Unity Maine December 2004 Inspiration and Process In early 2003 at the height of a statewide discussion about the future of Maine s dairy industry the Maine Department of Agriculture Food and Rural Resources was awarded a grant from the USDA s Federal State Market Improvement Program FSMIP to conduct a project entitled Dairy Farms for the Future diversifying farms to expand direct markets for milk products in three regions of Maine. This project brought Federal State and private efforts together to help diversify and strengthen Maine s dairy industry by Identifying new regional direct-to-consumer wholesale and institutional markets for Maine milk and value-added milk products. Transitioning and diversifying several dairy operations to better serve regional markets. Developing regional strategies for milk distribution system and farmland protection. The Project s goal was to improve the marketing opportunities for small and medium sized dairy farms in Maine in order to maintain the profitability of those farms and keep agricultural lands productive. This report prepared by Kerri Sands of the Maine Farms Project of Coastal Enterprises Inc. and Russell Libby of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association is a part of the research done for the Dairy Farms for the Future project. The authors thank the Department for getting this project underway and the many chefs retailers distributors and farmers who helped provide information through interviews a focus group meeting and a survey. Contact us Kerri Sands kcs@ x 114 Russell Libby rlibby@ 2 Table of Contents About this report 4 How this report will help you 4 How to find what you need in this report 4 Section 1 New Dairy Opportunities .