HARRISBURG – A local farm in North Strabane Township will receive a state grant to offer a wider variety of products to consumers, according to Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-46).
The Commonwealth Financing Authority approved a $50,000 grant to SpringHouse Country Store, LLC to purchase a new vat pasteurizer, yogurt packager, ice cream maker and hardening cabinet. The new equipment will allow the farm to utilize more of its skim milk for low-fat yogurt and add flavored milk and drinkable yogurt to its product line.
The grant was awarded as part of the Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program, which was created by lawmakers in 2018 to provide assistance to one of the most important sectors of the state’s agriculture industry.
“Dairy farmers have been dealing with extremely difficult market conditions for many years, and many farms struggle to keep pace with changes in consumer demand for new and different products,” Bartolotta said. “It is critical for businesses to be able to respond to these changes and take advantage of new opportunities. I am pleased that this grant will help one of our local farms offer new products that will add value to the entire operation.”
Bartolotta said that Pennsylvania dairy farming is one of the most important parts of the state’s agriculture economy, supporting 52,000 jobs and contributing $14.7 billion to the state’s economy. However, challenging market conditions have created a serious threat to the livelihood of many dairy farmers. The USDA reported that Pennsylvania lost 370 dairy farms in 2018 alone. The number of dairy cows in the state decreased by 25,000 head.
CONTACT: Katrina Hanna (717) 787-1463