A third-generation dairy farmer is carrying on her family’s 69-year-old business with a look to the future, and a fourth generation, by modernizing their operation and adding new product lines.

“My grandfather bought this farm in 1955,” said Jennifer Mapes, 35. “They moved from Howard and fell in love with the Mifflinburg area. They milked 30 cows back then.” They now herd about 65 cows. Jennifer is the daughter of Mark and Sue Mapes.

“My dad has seen so many generational changes,” Jennifer said. “It’s amazing. He remembers as a kid milking cows in a barn and having to dump it in a milk tank. He remembers his dad putting in a pipeline. My dad modernized that. It’s amazing to see all the steps my dad had to witness in his lifetime. And now to be able to process and bottle our own milk. We’ve come full circle.”

Their herd now is “kind of special,” Jennifer said. “We are milking almost all-Brown Swiss. It is my dream to have an all-Brown Swiss herd. We are on our way to that. Our barn is filling up with Brownies.

“Brown Swiss produce a higher butterfat content, which makes Mapes milk a little bit creamier,” she said.

Jennifer is a graduate of Mifflinburg High School and Penn State University.

Mapes Farm Fresh built its business during COVID, “which was hard. To build a business from the ground up,” Jennifer said. “COVID set us back from our original plans. We started selling from a little shed and built that into a storefront. In June, Mapes Farm Fresh opened a new storefront.

“My goal for the store is to provide everything farm fresh,” Jennifer said. Currently, they offer seasonal flavors of milk, such as chocolate milk. They also sell cheeses, straight from their milk. The farm also raises chicken and beef products — steaks and burgers.

“The Bucknell Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has been supportive in guiding the Mapes family as they transitioned their business model from exclusive wholesale to a diversified approach encompassing both wholesale and retail operations,” said Denny Hummer, assistant director, of SBDC.

This strategic shift is a proactive response to the dairy industry’s economic challenges, Hummer said.

“Jennifer’s innovative spirit has been pivotal in driving this transformation by introducing sought-after, fresh dairy products,” Hummer said.

“Moreover, the farm’s commitment to animal welfare aligns perfectly with contemporary consumer preferences.”

You can now read the most important #news on #eDairyNews #Whatsapp channels!!!

🇺🇸 eDairy News INGLÊS: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaKsjzGDTkJyIN6hcP1K