Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1138414
W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 19 J U LY 8 , 2 0 1 9 F O C U S A U G U S TA / WAT E R V I L L E / C E N T R A L M A I N E Dairy farmers, Bickford says, embrace the lifestyle but also have to be a little bit of everything — experts in animal husbandry, crops, book- keeping, human resources, mechan- ics, government rules and regulations. Bickford credits farmers for their creativity in maintaining sustainable operations, using strategies like diver- sification into value-added products such as yogurt. Pineland Farms Dairy Co. in Bangor is an example of diversification. Maine's largest cheesemaker, it sources milk from Maine farms to make over 1 million pounds of cheese a year. It's looking at expanding its facility, cheese production and geographic market, and diversify into a milk-based ingredient for wholesale producers of mashed potatoes, soups, and more, says Mark Whitney, the company's president. Pineland is looking to create prod- ucts that Maine isn't already making, diversifying the offerings. "We want to come up with prod- ucts that aren't made in Maine and not available from other processors," says Whitney. Dairy cluster Location and cooperation have helped Clinton remain a strong dairy cluster, says Tilton-Flood. When Tilton-Flood arrived in Clinton, in 1993, she recalls almost 15 dairy farms there. Now there are five. But Clinton remains a dairy hub, partly due to proximity to transportation and processors, making it possible to ship milk on a timely basis. Clinton's dairy farms are member-owners of Andover, Mass.-based Agri-Mark, a cooperative of 1,200 farms throughout New England and New York and owner of the Cabot and McCadem brands. "Being a farmer-owner of a co-op means you're not alone," Tilton-Flood says. "You have a network and a voice." Dairy farms are part of a value chain that includes other sectors like grain producers and equipment deal- ers, trucking, farm support services and animal health. "ese are things people don't think about," says Tilton-Flood. "People see what happens when a mill shuts down and 400 people aren't punching a clock. We know it hurts the sandwich shop and the retail store. But people don't think about when a dairy farm, tucked up in the back woods, is no longer ship- ping milk. People don't understand the domino effect that causes." Laurie Schreiber, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached at lschreiber @ mainebiz.biz " FAME listened to our unique story and believed in us. The staff was adaptable and found a way to 'yes.'" Dan Bell General Manager AGRI-CYCLE ENERGY WE HELP YOU GET TO yes Helping Maine Businesses Succeed Since 1983 1-800-228-3734 • FAMEmaine.com Best Places to Work in Maine 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 STRAIGHT TALK BANKING SHOOT STRAIGHT. NO NONSENSE. This is how I bank. This is where I bank. 800.303.9511 Skowhegan.com Larry Koob – Oquossoc Marine BANK SKOWHEGAN