Dygert farms named country folks farmer of the year

By Blake Jackson

Dygert Farms, a 13th generation dairy farm in Upstate New York, has been named the inaugural Farmer of the Year by Country Folks newspaper.

The Dygerts have been farming the same land since 1723, and they are committed to sustainable agriculture practices. They raise and grow 90% of their own feed, and they have been named a Dairy of Distinction in New York.

In 2015, the Dygerts decided to start diversifying their farm operation and began delivering fresh, local glass bottled milk to businesses and homes in the area. They also began building a processing plant on the farm, and they started processing their own milk in April 2021. Today, they sell milk in both glass and plastic containers, heavy cream and half-and-half, and they have partnered with Cabot to sell butter and cheese and local farm Thomas Poultry to offer farm fresh eggs.

The Dygerts were also awarded the 2023 AEM-Leopold Conservation Award for their commitment to protecting the environment. They have implemented several conservation practices on their farm, including constructing a manure storage facility and covered laneway between their barnyards, installing a system that collects leachate from their silage bunk silos, and using strip-cropping and no-till farming practices.

The Dygerts are being honored for their outstanding dedication to sustainable agriculture, remarkable productivity, steadfast preservation of rural traditions, and their integral role as cherished members of the community.

Photo Credit: Dygert farms