Our Cooperative's Beginnings

In the early part of January 1964, the milk market for Jefferson County farmers was economically threatened. Dealers in the Southern Tier had started charging .10/cwt  for hauling milk. This act, along with pressure from Jefferson County Milk Dealers to build larger milk houses and put in larger bulk tanks, made it the right time to organize an operating cooperative.

A group of farmers were invited to sit down and discuss possibilities on January 24, 1964. From this meeting,  eleven farmers committed themselves to sell their milk as a unit and to work together to organize a bulk milk cooperative in Jefferson County. Thus, Jefferson Bulk Milk Cooperative, Inc. was formed.

On April 1, 1964 the first milk was delivered to United Milk Products Corp, Adams Center, NY. The first milk cooperative in Jefferson County had grown to 27 members, mostly from the towns of Hounsfield, Brownville and Orleans.

In 1970 it was decided to start selling New York State Cheese to help support the agricultural industry. This over the years has grown into the present Cheese Store.  Our products are New York State produced, including local products such as Maple Syrup and Honey.