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In Tompkins County,
and throughout New York State, dairy farming is
by far the most common agricultural enterprise.
Dairy farming is highly regulated with a complex
pricing structure that has, in some cases, made
it difficult for family farms to stay the size most
suitable for their land base and facilities - and
most comfortable for them. After considering alternatives,
some farms have begun to produce their own cheeses.
This not only gives the farm more control over their
product, it provides increased income without requiring
a larger operation.
Sunset
View Creamery in Odessa, New York is a great
example of one such farm. Ronald and Carmella Hoffman
are the fourth generation to farm this land; the
farm celebrated its 100th birthday just last year.
They got their cheese-making start six years ago
when Carmella was looking for a way to make a little
more money from the 50-cow dairy’s milk. After some
research and a few cheese-making classes, she discovered
she could use her love of cooking to increase the
family income. Sunset View Creamery began production
in early 2004 and they’ve been going full steam
ahead ever since.
The Hoffman family
produces year around and specializes in Cheddar
and Monterey Jack cheeses as well as fresh cheese
curd. The Cheddars come in mild, sharp and x-sharp,
the Jacks in flavors like horseradish, garlic and
onion, roasted garlic, chive and dill, thyme, hot
sauces, cranberries, bacon and ranch, tomato and
basil, and pepperoni. The cheese curd is also available
in a selection of flavors including garlic &
onion, horseradish, buffalo wing sauce, a super
hot sauce, tomato and basil, and dill.
The farm’s retail
outlet, 4970 County Road 14 in Odessa, is open Thursday
through Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 11 months
a year (February through December). Internet sales
(see www.sunsetviewcreamery.com)
are year around and orders are generally in the
mail the same day or the day after an order is placed.
Orders often reach local destinations within one
day, and most other places receive delivery in just
2-4 days.
Sunset View Creamery
products can also be found at several wineries around
Seneca Lake: Lakewood, Glenora, Ashley Lynn, Logan
Ridge, and Red Newt, which uses the cheese in some
of their menu items. Additional seasonal outlets
include Maple Valley Farm Market in Big Flats during
the summer months and Reisinger’s Apple Country
in Watkins Glen in the fall. For more information
about Sunset View Creamery’s products, check the
website or call 607-594-2095.
Smaller ruminants,
like goats and sheep, offer another cheese-making
opportunity for farm operations. Russell and Rita
Kellogg’s Side
Hill Acres Goat Dairy Farm in Candor is one
such enterprise. Established in 1987, this 157-goat
dairy has been producing award-winning cheeses since
1994. Consumers can select from aged cheese logs,
some of which are flavored with herbs. Also available
are fresh cheese buttons, herbed cheese spreads,
feta cheese (in logs or crumbled), cream cheese,
fresh mozzarella, and mild Cheddar.
In addition to their
cheeses, Side Hill Acres sells pasteurized grade
A goats’ milk in quarts, half gallons, and gallons
and offers several other goats’ milk products, such
as goat cheese fudge, goats’ milk ice cream and
an extensive line of health and beauty aids containing
goats’ milk.
The farm’s retail
shop, 79 Spencer Road in Candor, is open 8:00 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
and 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday. Side Hill
Acres also offers tours of the farm and facility
and product tastings. For more information about
Side Hill Acres Goat Dairy see their website, www.sidehillacres.bizrate.com,
or give them a call at 607-659-4121.
The Hoffman and
Kellogg families are just two examples of more than
half a dozen farmstead cheese enterprises in our
area. When consumers choose locally produced foods,
like cheese and other dairy products, they contribute
to the economic health and sustainability of area
farms and agriculture. The free Guide to Foods Produced
in the Southern Tier and Finger Lake lists regional
artisan cheese makers as well as other local foods
producers. Copies are available from Cornell Cooperative
Extension of Tompkins County, 615 Willow Avenue
in Ithaca, phone 607-272-2292.
Debbie Teeter
is Senior Program Coordinator in the Agriculture
Program of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins
County.
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