Interview: Granite State Dairy Promotion
Meet Amy Hall, Director of Granite State Dairy Promotion
Granite State Dairy Promotion is a Non-Profit 501(c)5 organization funded by New Hampshire dairy farmers.
The Mission of Granite State Dairy Promotion (GSDP) is to increase the sale and use of milk and other dairy products through promotional activities, nutrition education, and to enhance the image of the dairy industry in New Hampshire.
In undertaking this mission, GSDP purposely builds on national and regional dairy industry research and promotion efforts. Nutritional education support, especially for increased usage by the food service market, is provided through the New England Dairy Council. Research and development, the purview of Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), leads to new products, new market, and advertising initiatives. The milk processors association increases consumer awareness of milk in its national advertising campaign. GSDP gains added benefit for the New Hampshire dairy industry from these national and regional programs by localizing them to New Hampshire.
Interview conducted March 2021
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New Hampshire Ice Cream Trail
Download a PDF of the map here.
New Hampshire Cheesemakers Guild
The New Hampshire Cheesemakers Guild was designed to support and encourage the New Hampshire cheese making community; To promote the merits and availability of NH cheeses to the public; Develop a collective voice among NH cheesemakers and those associated with the cheesemaking industry.
Meet some of NH’s Dairy Farmers
The New Hampshire dairy industry is located primarily in the Connecticut River Valley on the state’s western borders and along the Merrimack River Valley in the center of the state. There are approximately 94 dairy farms in New Hampshire with an average of 120 milking animals per farm.
Historically the dairy industry was the “king” of agriculture in the state. Dairy farming is an agricultural enterprise using many thousands of acres of tillable land for crops and grazing. This maintains open space, which provides numerous environmental benefits, and gives New Hampshire the rural character enjoyed by its residents and the many tourists. A continued reduction in the industry could create a major change in the complexion of the state’s countryside. Although New Hampshire could meet its needs for fluid milk with imports, consumers would lose the privilege of being able to buy a local, fresh product.
The cost of production has exceeded farm income for a prolonged period, causing a continuous decline in farm numbers and putting the state’s dairy industry at risk.
Resources:
For a more in-depth look at New Hampshire’s dairy industry, its contribution to economy, community, and health, please read The New Hampshire Dairy Industry in 2020
Dairy Nutrition | Dairy Myths | NH Ice Cream Trail
GSA Feedback:
“I was very surprised to learn NH has the first Ice Cream Trail. Definitely a popular brochure at the MHT Booth at the airport. I’ve looked at the brochure many times. You definitely need to devote a considerable amount of time to reach all available ice cream.”
“Amy Hall is enthusiastic about her important work. We should all be doing what we can to preserve NH’s dairies. (Yes, I’ll eat more ice cream- if I must!) I’m looking forward to the new NH Ice Cream Trail map this May; I didn’t realize it was updated each year.”
