It’s been about 25 years since dairy cows were milked at JDS Family Farm, but the Smith family has never truly left the dairy industry.
Father and son duo David and Joel Smith are the fourth and fifth generations to farm in the Lebanon Valley, and while they no longer have milking Guernseys, they still work with dairy cattle each day.
The Smiths raise Holstein replacement heifers for a neighboring farm, and have 70-100 head on the farm. Joel currently has about 50-60 head of the beef-dairy crosses that he buys from another neighboring dairy farm.
“I’m working with our neighbor and trying to up our number and plan ahead,” Joel said.
Beef from JDS Farm is sold through its website and picked up by appointment, but Joel is hoping to soon have some limited hours where customers can stop by and shop in person.
Additionally, Joel sells over 100 pounds of ground beef each month to Haj Paj, a caterer and food truck.
He’s hoping to add more restaurants to his customer list in the coming months.
“I feel like there is definitely a lot more potential,” Joel said. “My mind is always going. I’m always trying to think of how I can sell more and expand.” Most people know the PA Dairymen’s Association for its famous Pennsylvania Farm Show milkshakes. And while the eight days at the Farm Show are still a large part of what the association does, it’s turned into a year-round endeavor.
Dairymen’s has two milkshake trucks, which, when not in use, are housed at the Smiths’ farm.
In the busy seasons — spring, early summer and fall — the two trucks do multiple events per week.
Source:lancasterfarming.com
Photo Credit: gettyimages-r-j-seymour
Categories: Pennsylvania, Business, Livestock, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle