‘Growing Maine’ explores keys to success of Pittsfield couple’s dairy business

University of Maine Cooperative Extension has released the eighth installment of “Growing Maine,” a series of short documentaries highlighting Maine food producers and farm families. The newest video tells the story of Balfour Farm in Pittsfield, a MOFGA-certified organic dairy farm producing cheese and yogurt.   

Heather and Doug Donahue, farmers for 18 years, moved to Maine after farming in New York state. They purchased 100 acres and grew their dairy herd to 12. The herd now provides the milk for their farmstead creamery, where they produce yogurt, as well as hard and soft cheeses. 

The Donahues are in a partnership and working relationship based on kindness and “consideration for your co-worker, to give them space if they need space.” 

The “Growing Maine” video series helps consumers get to know their food sources better, as farmers and producers share their behind-the-scenes perspectives on how decisions are made. For those aspiring to farm, the videos are a way to hear directly from farmers and producers about what is most important to them. 

UMaine Extension helps support and grow the food-based economy statewide, and is the only entity that touches every aspect of the Maine Food System, where policy, research, education, production, processing, commerce, nutrition, and food security and safety are integral and interrelated.

Videos in the “Growing Maine” series are online.

Viewers also have the opportunity to suggest story ideas for videos that will be released throughout the year. For more information, contact Leslie Forstadt, 207.581.3487; leslie.forstadt@maine.edu.