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This story was featured as part of an 'On-farm processing' special report in dairy innovation magazine issue 15.

In Colorado in the USA, husband and wife Les and Sherrill Hardesty started Cozy Cow Dairy about three years ago as an opportunity to create a learning experience for urban consumer customers. Les says with only about 1% of the US population engaged in agricultural production our consumers are several generations removed from agriculture.

“Cozy Cow offers an educational experience coupled with quality fresh dairy products, produced and processed on the farm - from the cow to the consumer. Our farm setting is becoming more urban on a daily basis with housing development and population increases. People want to enjoy the view of the Colorado Mountains and the sunshine, just as our dairy cows have for years.

“Education of the consumer for the benefit of the entire dairy industry was the primary principle for the start of Cozy Cow Dairy.

“As animal agriculture practices become the focus of consumers, it is important that we take some time to tell the story of all of the positive attributes that agriculture does for our communities. We were also very excited about the opportunity to offer fresh, wholesome dairy products that were produced and processed on the farm. Locally produced products, that consumers know where they are coming from.

Making the rigth choices

“Selection of the product line was fairly simple. Fluid milk for the bottle would produce excess cream that could be transformed into ice cream. A premium ice cream offered to the visitors after a farm tour would only enhance their learning experience. Our product line includes milk (both white and flavoured), ice cream (sold as cones and in small take home packages) and cheese (curds and an aged Cheddar).

“Help came from many places. A general knowledge of the industry and having milked cows for 20 years, gave us the basic understanding of handling and packaging a perishable product. Dairy equipment companies helped with the design and layout of the facility. A consultant was engaged to help with the final formulations and practices employed to ensure that we had quality products to offer our consumers.

“In keeping with our goal of education we felt it was necessary to market the products on the farm where they are produced. We have a retail store on site that sells our products. It is a short drive outside of town to purchase Cozy Cow products, but the consumer knows that they are getting quality at a reasonable price. They are more than happy to go the extra mile and support a local family farm.

Unique challenges

“Any new business venture comes with a unique set of challenges. Governmental regulations were the first obstacle. A non traditional use of the property caused some concern to the officials. Processing of dairy products and the surrounding health department regulations, testing and quality control techniques are burdensome but absolutely necessary.

“There have been an awesome amount of rewards to starting our new dairy venture. The kids (both young and young at heart) that come to tour and learn about the dairy industry continue to be the strength to continue to work toward perfection. You cannot put a monetary value on a smile or a first encounter with an animal for some of the guests.

“Seeing a great quality product that you produced with your own hands bring satisfaction to a consumer is unbelievably satisfying. And finally, to watch a business that you have built with a labour of love grow makes you sleep well at night. It is very gratifying to know that through your efforts you are making a difference that is impacting on the entire dairy industry around the world. Even with a small family dairy farm in Colorado, when we sell another unit of milk, ice cream or cheese, we affect the global consumption of dairy; by satisfying a consumer with quality nutritious dairy experience and help to create or maintain a life long consumer of dairy.”