Scottdale farm earns American Dairy Association's community outreach award

After a local farm was named the American Dairy Association North East’s among its Dairying For Tomorrow award winners in the Community Outreach category, its owners immediately lived up to the title.

Maple Bottom Farm, with facilities in Scottdale and Dawson, Fayette County, donated their Dairying For Tomorrow award to the Southmoreland School District, which was able to buy $1,000 worth of portable cooling equipment to keep milk chilled for students.

“We were able to get a combination of milk cooling barrels, and portable cooler bags,” said Vicki Capone, the district’s nutrition director. “We’re using the bags for our grab-and-go breakfast at the high school because we kind of serve the kids as they come off the buses now.”

Award winners in the ADA contest received a prize in their farm’s name. Maple Bottom Farm owners Mike and Vickie Baker process Golden Guernsey dairy products as part of Naturally Golden Family Farms, a group of local dairy farmers.

“We chose to donate the award to our local school because we want to make sure students have access to cold, fresh milk with all their meals,” Vickie Baker said. “We have to develop life-long, loyal milk drinkers and that usually starts in school.”

According to the International Dairy Foods Association, per-capita dairy consumption in the U.S. is on the rise, after a dip in 2017. In 2020, the average American consumed 655 pounds of dairy, an increase of 3 pounds over 2019. More than 140 pounds is attributable to milk.

“Our dairy farmers are dedicated to producing an affordable, safe and nutrient-rich product, while remaining committed to the care of their animals, their land, and to being a good neighbor to their local communities,” said Rick Naczi, CEO of American Dairy Association North East. “The Bakers epitomize the good work that all dairy farmers are doing.”

Capone said the coolers will be useful at Southmoreland not just for the breakfast program during the school year, but also for the district’s summer meal program.

In addition to Maple Farms earning the Community Service Award, Pleasant Lane Farms in Unity Township received an honorable mention in the same category.