Farmer Spotlight

Geiger Dairy Farm

Geiger Dairy Farm –Stefan and Cindy Geiger’s dairy farm sits on top of the hills of Jeffersonville overlooking some of the best views in the county. The farm hosts sheep and poultry, but the main focus is Stefan’s 60 milking Holsteins and 70 replacement heifers. These girls produce enough milk to provide for the Geiger family. Also in production on the farm is hay and solar energy. There is 130 acres available on the property. During the summer months the majority of it is used for making hay to feed his herd until the following summer, where the process is then repeated.

When driving by the farm you can’t help but notice the roof of their barns. They are covered with 134 solar panels. With grant assistance and the goal of sustainability in mind, the Geiger’s were able to install the panels successfully. These panels produce enough solar energy to run the farm’s electric and then some.

Dairy Month!

The first cow arrived in United States in Jamestown in 1611. Until the 1850s nearly every family had its own cow.

Wisconsin is the only state where Limburger cheese is produced.

It takes about 10 pounds of milk to make one pound of cheese and just over 21 pounds to make a pound of butter.

New York is ranked #5 in total state milk production in the United States.

Milk arrives at your local grocery store within 48 hours of leaving the farm.

Sources:

Dairy fun facts - prod.healthyeating.org. 35 Undeniably Fun Facts About Dairy. (2018). Retrieved May 5, 2023, from https://prod.healthyeating.org/ docs/default-source/mdc-documents/undeniablyfun-facts-about-dairy.pdf?sfvrsn=c7843900_2.

97% of U.S. dairy farms are family-owned and operated.

Cows spend 30 minutes drinking, 3-5 hours eating and 12-14 hours resting each day.

Dairy cows eat about 100 pounds of food every day and drink 25-50 gallons of water.

Dairy stats by State. American Dairy Association North East. (2022, September 12). Retrieved May 5, 2023, from https://www.americandairy.com/dairyfarms/state-stats/.

Kouba, Marlene.“Celebrating June Dairy Month.” FB.org. American Farm Bureau Federation, June 11, 2020. https://www.fb.org/focus-on-agriculture/ celebrating-june-dairy-month.