Calkins Creamery
on Highland Farm - Wayne County, PA
farmstead artisan cheese from one of the Upper Delaware River Valley's oldest family farms
Preserve & Sustain
Calkins Creamery began as a new offshoot of a much older business—Highland Farm. Home to 88 registered Holsteins milk cows and 265 acres, the dairy farm was established by the Bryant Family in 1841. Today, the farm is led by Bill & Zack Bryant, the fifth and sixth generations. Together, the duo has implemented new programs and technology to preserve the family's heritage.
Bill was an early leader in farm conservation practices, winning the Wayne County Conservation District Farmer of the Year in 1984. That tradition continues, with the following programs highlighting the quest to improve water quality and pastures, and most importantly, preserve the land for future generations.
Bill was an early leader in farm conservation practices, winning the Wayne County Conservation District Farmer of the Year in 1984. That tradition continues, with the following programs highlighting the quest to improve water quality and pastures, and most importantly, preserve the land for future generations.
Land Preservation
Highland Farm has been accepted into the Wayne County Agricultural Land Preservation Program. During the summer or early fall 2008, the Commonwealth of PA and Wayne County will jointly purchase the development rights on the farm’s land. The farm cannot be subdivided for house lots or other purposes and will remain as farm land or open space for perpetuity.
Water Quality
With the help of CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program), a riparian buffer was created to protect the stream that flows through Highland Farm. The buffer area is fenced to keep cows out of the stream, preventing stream bank erosion. Trees, planted in the buffer, serve as a natural filter for liquid runoff and nitrogen before it reaches the stream. Shade now keeps the water temperature lower during the summer, encouraging more aquarian habitat.
Renewable Energy
With grazing cows no longer drinking from the steam, the Bryants will use solar panels this summer to pump water into a storage tank. The tank gravity feeds to 10 grazing paddocks, using no electricity to water the cows, April–November.
Recycling
At Highland Farm, old newspapers become shredded cow bedding. Soiled bedding eventually makes its way to the fields where newspaper reduces run-off by absorbing extra liquid. Family members also contribute household waste to the recycling program including paper towels, envelopes, computer paper and cereal boxes.
Neighbors may contribute to the recycling program by dropping off newspaper at the farm.
Highland Farm has been accepted into the Wayne County Agricultural Land Preservation Program. During the summer or early fall 2008, the Commonwealth of PA and Wayne County will jointly purchase the development rights on the farm’s land. The farm cannot be subdivided for house lots or other purposes and will remain as farm land or open space for perpetuity.
Water Quality
With the help of CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program), a riparian buffer was created to protect the stream that flows through Highland Farm. The buffer area is fenced to keep cows out of the stream, preventing stream bank erosion. Trees, planted in the buffer, serve as a natural filter for liquid runoff and nitrogen before it reaches the stream. Shade now keeps the water temperature lower during the summer, encouraging more aquarian habitat.
Renewable Energy
With grazing cows no longer drinking from the steam, the Bryants will use solar panels this summer to pump water into a storage tank. The tank gravity feeds to 10 grazing paddocks, using no electricity to water the cows, April–November.
Recycling
At Highland Farm, old newspapers become shredded cow bedding. Soiled bedding eventually makes its way to the fields where newspaper reduces run-off by absorbing extra liquid. Family members also contribute household waste to the recycling program including paper towels, envelopes, computer paper and cereal boxes.
Neighbors may contribute to the recycling program by dropping off newspaper at the farm.