Meet a Central New York Farmer – Hidden Pastures Goat Dairy

Big Frog, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County and Wagner Farms want you to meet the hard working families keeping us fed and clothed. This week we salute the Hidden Pastures Goat Dairy in Glenfield .

Hidden Pastures Goat Dairy is under the guidance of Andrew and Blake Place. While the couple purchased the farm in 2015, they both grew up on dairy farms. It took them about 2 years to begin shipping milk, but it's been a fast paced climb since, adding several products like goat cheese, goat's milk soap, and their signature gelato.

The gelato had been in Blake's thoughts since 2012 and finally hit the market in 2018. You'll find a wide variety of flavors in many North Country stores and all of their products can be ordered through their website. With three small children, Blake says the single serving packages are a great way to occupy the kids and get some peace and quiet.

While the current pandemic has taken it's toll on most farming operations, the Place family continues their annual October event, "Goats in Pink Collars." The program raises money to help cancer patients get treatment, through the Lewis County General Hospital Fund for Hope. For a $10 donation you can put a pink collar on one of the goats in honor of a loved one. Last year's campaign raised over $2000.

You can get more info on Goats in Pink Collars and all of of the Hidden Dairy's products at their website, Hidden Pastures Dairy.com.

As always we salute Andrew and Blake for their hard work in keeping us all fed and clothed even in tough economic times. And like most of the farming community, still thinking of others along the way.

Know a farmer we should add to our list? Here's the nomination form, or send info on our Facebook page, our mobile app, or email polly@bigfrog104.com. Meet a Farmer is also made possible by New York Farm Net, a program of Cornell, Harbor Point Minerals, White's Farm Supply, and the US Army.

Want to take your support of Central New York farmers to the next level? The Save Our Farms, Save Our Food campaign with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County is offering a custom designed T-Shirt supporting farmers with any $25 donation. Get more info and order yours at CCEOneida.com