Hawthorne Valley Farm Expands with $125K State Grant

By Blake Jackson

Hawthorne Valley Farm, a leader in sustainable agriculture, has received a $125,000 state grant to expand its dairy production. Secured with the support of Assemblymember Didi Barrett, the funding will enable the farm to install pasteurization equipment, allowing them to offer certified organic and Biodynamic pasteurized milk to a wider market.

“Hawthorne Valley has been at the forefront of regenerative farming and climate smart practices in our Hudson Valley region for decades,” said Assemblymember Didi Barrett.

“I am proud to support the farm’s efforts to decarbonize and expand their capacity to provide fresh and healthy dairy products to our community by helping them secure the critical funding for this new pasteurization equipment.”

The addition of pasteurized milk to Hawthorne Valley's product line will cater to a broader consumer base, including those who prefer pasteurized options.

This will be offered alongside their existing raw milk available at the on-site Farm Store. Furthermore, the Creamery will be able to expand its co-packing services for other small local farms.

“This was an important upgrade for Hawthorne Valley Farm as it increases our Creamery’s ability to provide a wider variety of products for our customers,” said Martin Ping, Executive Director of Hawthorne Valley Association.

“Assemblymember Didi Barrett has been a dedicated advocate for the farms in the Hudson Valley, and we are extremely grateful to her for her service and help in securing this grant. Didi’s work has helped to give local farmers confidence to start and grow their farms to meet the demand for fresh, healthy food, and to ensure that agricultural land is conserved for future generations.”

The pasteurization project is part of Hawthorne Valley's wider Net Positive Initiative, which aims to minimize the farm's environmental footprint. This initiative includes upgrades to the Creamery's ventilation system and the installation of a biofiltration system to treat wastewater.

Hawthorne Valley Farm will sell the pasteurized milk at its on-site Farm Store and at seven GrowNYC Greenmarket locations in New York City.

“Hawthorne Valley Farm’s Creamery has been a stalwart in New York’s dairy industry, consistently providing high-quality organic yogurt and other dairy products to our GrowNYC Greenmarkets,” says Marcel Van Ooyen, President and CEO of GrowNYC.

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