Blog
2024 Green Pastures Award Winner – Caverly Farms LLC
Eleven families were nominated this year at the Maine Dairy Seminar and online as Maine representatives for the 2024 New England Green Pastures Award, and three operations were finalists. The selection committee visited these farms in mid-June and selected Caverly Farm for the 2024 Maine Dairy Farm and Family of the Year. Their … Continued
Making the Most of the Fall Harvest
By Kayla Raymond, UMaine Dietetic Intern with the Maine Dairy and Nutrition Council You may not want to hear this, but summer is winding down and fall is right around the corner! As sad as it may be to say farewell to summer, there is so much to look forward to in this coming … Continued
Maine Teacher Connecting to Dairy Farming Through Adopt a Cow Program
Dairy farmers rely on a wide range of skills on a daily basis, but especially math and science. Lacey Todd, a fifth-grade science teacher at Mountain Valley Middle School in Maine, has been weaving dairy farming and agriculture into her science and ecosystems curriculum through Discover Dairy’s Adopt a Cow program. “I was … Continued
Cottage Cheese Queso
Cottage Cheese Queso Ingredients 16 oz cottage cheese 4 oz diced green chiles 1 ½ cup shredded cheese 1-2 cloves garlic ½ lime 1 tbsp taco seasoning For garnish – cilantro and lime zest Instructions Step 1 Add cottage cheese, diced green chiles, shredded cheese, garlic cloves, taco seasoning and the juice of half … Continued
The Sweetcream Taste
Jacqui DeFranca and Jon Denton have always loved ice cream. Now the pair own their own ice cream shop in Jon’s hometown of Biddeford, where locally sourced ingredients have always been the focus.The two met in New York City while working at the same restaurant. When they began dating, ice cream dates were a … Continued
2023 Green Pastures Award Winner – Green Valle Farm
The Maine Green Pastures Program committee visited two dairy farms in July 2023, and they selected Green Valle Farm for the 2023 Maine Dairy Farm and Family of the Year (Green Pasture Award). The Green Valle Farm began when the Miller’s settled in Newburg, ME, in the mid-1850s. Linwood and Myron Miller, Heath’s … Continued
What People Have to Say
Maine Dairy and Nutrition Council works with schools across the state, offering grants each year for needed school nutrition equipment.
Ellen Dore, RSU 16
The staff loves them (the red coolers) because they are just the right size for milk, pack out field trips and they keep everything cold. Kids at the summer camp help to unload the van and it's a competition as to who can carry the red bag by themselves without needing help (Milk helps to grow muscles twice-once to carry it and twice drinking it!) Once again, the red cooler bags helped to make the summer a success!!!
Mary Sue Thompson, Machias
The smoothie machine prompted creativity from our kitchen staff, and the students now appreciate the variety in their breakfasts. Support like this helps small rural schools offer diverse menu options.
Perley Martin, RSU 71
Thank you so much for your continued partnership to make our program better.
Tammy Connors, RSU 74
All of the RSU #74 schools have been fortunate to receive generous support, encouragement and funding from the Maine Dairy & Nutrition Council. Most recently, our High School received a needed Milk Barrel in the fitting Cow Pattern to go along with our farming communities. Our 3 elementary schools have held many friendly competitions to raise awareness of the importance of healthy habits & drinking vitamin rich milk. The support we have received over the years is invaluable and provides not only the financial support but resources and knowledge to help us all, in the classrooms and kitchens, to educate students on the importance of making life-long healthy choices.
Tyler Guerin, Portland Public Schools Nutrition Program
They (red insulated coolers) were essential in serving our community during the summer months, allowing our program to focus on meal quality without worrying about limited cooler space.
Melissa Belanger, RSU 87
The addition of the yogurt bar to our breakfast has given the students participating more choices which I believe has helped us to keep our numbers where they are at now. We are so appreciative of this grant and all it has helped us to accomplish.