Penn State University’s Extension dairy team will host two workshops in February to help milk producers explore value-added opportunities for their businesses. They’ll address the key question: Is it right for your dairy?

The timing is right. With the Northeast’s changing milk markets, many producers are looking for options to retail their milk. Value-added dairy enterprises may offer a marketing plan to increase value and set your business apart from the competition, suggests Dairy Team Leader Lisa Holden.

The workshop will provide an overview of value-added dairy and basic considerations for products. It’s designed to help you assess the market and potential products, necessary resources, niche markets and production aspects of value-added dairy. It’ll also cover regulations governing the products and equipment needed for production. There’ll also be discussion sessions to help you explore why you need to consider value-added options.

Presenters will be Sarah Cornelisse, Penn State senior Extension associate; Ginger Fenton, Penn State dairy educator; and Kerry Kaylegian, Penn State Dairy Foods Research & Extension associate.

Southeast and Northwest workshops
The Southeast workshop is set for Tuesday, Feb. 7, at Penn State Extension Lancaster County, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster. The registration deadline for the Lancaster workshop is Jan. 23.

On Thursday, Feb. 16, the Northwest workshop will be held at the Sustainable Enterprise Accelerator, 165 Elm St., Slippery Rock. The registration deadline for this one is Feb. 1.

Both workshops run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Both cost $75 per participant.

For questions or more information, contact Ginger Fenton, 724-662-3141, or email [email protected]. You can register online.

Source: Penn State