Got Milk? We in Saratoga County do. Dairy farming is the number one agricultural industry in our county, state and nation. We are fortunate to have 40 active dairy operations accounting for 7,000 cows producing 146 million pounds of milk in Saratoga County. That’s the equal to 194,666,666 single serve ice cream servings at Stewart’s or 267,967,976 pints of milk! Needless to say, we produce all we need for our families to have local fresh milk. This is fortunate as the fresher the milk the better the taste and the more affordable it is.

Don’t just think dairy cows. Goat dairy production is actually on the rise around our county and nation. Saratoga Farmers Market is well represented by the dairy goat industry. Homestead Artisans and Sweet Spring Farms offer our clients the opportunity to try fresh, organic, homemade goat cheeses and cow cheeses. Like milk, there is nothing better than fresh cheese. It tastes like cheese, (not the refrigerator) giving the palate a smooth pure unadulterated taste. Locally produced cheese is also ecologically sound (no refrigerated trucks transporting the cheese long distances). 

So, remember when you drive through our county, the 74,000 acres devoted to agriculture provides many benefits to your life, including fresh food, milk, cheese and low pollution. Farms give you pastoral scenery, estuaries and wildlife areas and help with the tax burden (cows and goats, lettuce and cucumbers don’t go to school, nor drive the highways), but the farmers pay all those taxes on their farmlands. No one likes the smell of dairy slurry. Crinkle your nose, it’s ok, but remember the taste of a fresh glass of milk or homemade cheese, or better yet, let it remind you to come on down to the Saratoga Farmers Market and have some locally produced ice cream on Aug 4.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market operates is open Wednesdays from 3-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the High Rock Pavilions in Saratoga Springs.

Fresh cheese tips

Fromage Blanc (soft, fresh cow’s milk cheese)

Use this cheese mildly tangy cheese in any recipe that calls for cream cheese—but feel good as its much lower in calories. It’s made without gums, preservatives and stabilizers that are used in cream cheese making it more delicate.  When cooking with it over the stove, keep the heat low and add it at the last minute to keep its smooth texture.

Chevre (fresh goat cheese)

This is a moist creamy white cheese with a mellow tart flavor. It’s ideal for mixing with herbs and using it as spread for sandwiches, crackers or dip.  Adding fresh dill or ground pepper can make a yummy spread.