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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2019
www.nj.gov/agriculture   
PO Box 330
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0330   


Contact:
Jeff Wolfe
P: (609) 633-2954
C: (609) 433-1785
E: jeff.wolfe@ag.nj.gov

 

                  

Agriculture Secretary Highlights State’s Dairy Farmers

(MULLICA HILL) – New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher and local officials celebrated National Dairy Month today with a visit to Wellacrest Farms in Gloucester County.

New Jersey’s dairy farmers produced more than 120 million pounds of milk and added more than $22 million to the state’s economy, according to the recently released Census of Agriculture from the USDA.

“Dairy farms have long been a part of New Jersey’s agricultural landscape and we need these farms to ensure our residents have access to fresh, local milk and other dairy products,” Secretary Fisher said. “Dairy Month helps remind residents where their milk and other dairy items come from and the many health benefits of consuming them.”

Wellacrest Farms was started in 1943 and is currently the largest dairy farm in New Jersey, producing more than 17,000,000 pounds of milk each year. Wellacrest is a family run farm with Marianne Eachus overseeing the day-to-day dairy operation and Wally and Eric Eachus farming 3,000 acres of crops including corn, wheat and soybeans, as well as many forages for the dairy cows. The family also operates a farm in upstate New York that produces hay for the dairy and retail market.

“We here at Wellacrest farms strive to produce the best agriculture products available to the public markets through conscious decisions and practices,” Eric Eachus said. “We use the newest technology and safest practices for our animals’ health and comfort.

“Agriculture is one of the most important professions in the world and like every business does at times, is facing challenges. However, we at Wellacrest have hope for the future and plan to keep our family farm going for generations to come.”

Marianne Eachus has been active in the local 4-H club, which has included regularly bringing 4-H members to the farm. She also has given several 4-H members the opportunity to show cattle at local agricultural fairs and has taken cows to schools for agriculture education programs.

In addition to milk, New Jersey dairy farms and processors provide consumers with creams, yogurts, butter, cheeses and other dairy products and maintain scenic vistas and open space, which enhances the quality of life for all state residents. 

From calcium to potassium, dairy products like milk contain nine essential nutrients to help lead a healthier lifestyle. Whether it's protein to help build and repair the muscle tissue of active bodies or vitamin A to help maintain healthy skin, dairy products are a natural nutrient powerhouse.


National Dairy Month started as National Milk Month in 1937 as a way to promote drinking milk. It has developed into an annual tradition that celebrates the contributions dairy farmers have made to the world.

To learn more about dairy products and the benefits they can provide, go to www.americandairy.com.

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To learn more about the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NJDeptofAgriculture and www.facebook.com/JerseyFreshOfficial or Twitter @NJDA and @JerseyFreshNJDA.