PLAN’s community engagement manager, Alex, had a lovely conversation with Ashlee Kleinhammer to learn more about North Country Creamery, a dairy operation based in Keeseville, NY.

Tune in to the video below to watch the full interview as they talk about how the creamery came to be, discuss the herd and the farm’s grazing practices, and of course, chat about what products the creamery produces and where to find them.


ABOUT THE CREAMERY

North Country Creamery, operating on 200-year-old dairy farmland, started up shop in 2013. Ashlee and her partner Steven were able to purchase the farm with the help of the Open Space Institute through a lease purchase program. The program allowed them to lease the land for a few years before buying, making it easier to get the business up and running. The creamery proudly bares an Animal Welfare Approved certification which maintains, as Ashlee believes, that “treatment of the animals is paramount.”

The farm practices rotational grazing, a science that ensures grasses are always re-growing and regenerating in a way that continues to provide nutrients for wholesome dairy products.


ABOUT THE HERD

The North Country Creamery is made of 15-20 mature milking cows and 5-8 young stock of Jersey and Milking Shorthorn breeds.


ABOUT THE PRODUCTS

North Country Creamery offers cream lined yogurt in five flavors: plain, maple, lemon, vanilla and coffee – flavored yogurts are sweetened with maple sugar and no refined sugars!

Cheeses range from dill Havarti, to pepper jack, to seasonal soft cheeses.


WHERE TO FIND NORTH COUNTRY CREAMERY PRODUCTS

Farmstore – visit the farmstore in Keeseville, exit 33
SaratogaFour Seasons
Glens FallsPure-N-Simple Natural Foods, Adirondack Natural Foods


ABOUT ASHLEE’S FAVORITE PRODUCT

“My favorite is the cream lined plain yogurt, it’s also out best seller. It’s pretty much a staple in our house… It’s so versatile!”

For more information visit https://www.northcountrycreamery.com/

**photos courtesy of North Country Creamery’s Instagram**