Dairy

June’s NH Harvest of the Month: dairy!

The most common dairy animals are cows, water buffalo, nanny goats, and ewe. Dairy products include yogurt, cheese, milk, ice cream and butter.

The New Hampshire dairy industry is located primarily in the Connecticut River Valley on the state’s western border and along the Merrimack River Valley in the center of the state. There are approximately 94 dairy farms in New Hampshire with an average of 120 milking animals per farm.

The two most recognized and well-known breeds of dairy cattle are the Holstein with its black and white spots and the Jersey, which are brown.

Both full-fat and non/low-fat dairy foods can be good sources of protein, calcium, vitamins B and D. Dairy foods that undergo fermentation, such as yogurt and some cheeses are lower in lactose and contain healthful gut bacteria that may benefit digestive health.

Yogurt is a staple food in several cultures, originating from countries in Western Asia and the Middle East. The word yogurt is believed to be derived from the Turkish word “yoğurmak,” which means to thicken, coagulate, or curdle.

Cheese can be made from any milk. Generally, cow’s milk cheese tends to be rich and buttery, goat’s milk cheeses carry a sharp tang, and sheep’s milk cheeses have a mild nutty flavor.

Datshi means cheese in Bhutanese and is made from goat, cow or yak milk. It is a main ingredient in their national dish, Ema Datshi or chili cheese.

In Guatemala, queso fresco, or fresh cheese is made with cows milk. It is mild and crumbly and makes a great topping on tamales, corn on the cob, and is good in the filling of pupasas.

This webpage includes a variety of educational materials, activities, recipes, and more about dairy for use at home, in youth or family programming, in the classroom, and in the cafeteria. For more New Hampshire Harvest of the Month resources for June, click here.

Additional resources about dairy:
New England Dairy
American Dairy Association Northeast

Lesson Plan for Dairy

Developed in partnership with UNH Extension, NH Farm to School, and the UNH Education department, the Harvest Lessons lesson plan and curricular activities can be used by education professionals to incorporate dairy into dynamic, long-lasting learning in the classroom and other education-based settings.

Lesson plan supplements
Click to download the lesson plan supplements to support learning through the activities in the lesson plan.
India