Kathy Beisner (302) 697-4300 or (302) 270-5767

 

From Calf to Cone

                                                                                                    

Colora, MD October 25, 2004 – Federal, State and County officials gathered on a Cecil County dairy farm to announce a $50,000 grant that will help turn fluid milk into farm made ice cream.  Congressman Wayne Gilchrest joined USDA Rural Development on the Kilby farm to help make the announcement of federal taxpayer funds coming home to Maryland to support agriculture.  "The Kilbys have come up with an exciting and innovative approach to sustainable agriculture. They are helping to keep our rural heritage alive, and in the process they'll be teaching the next generation about something as simple as how to milk a cow. I'm grateful USDA Rural Development recognized how important this will be for this whole community and I look forward to my first ice cream cone,” said Congressman Wayne Gilchrest.

 

Kilby’s Inc. is a 450+ acre 3rd generation family owned and operated dairy farm near Rising Sun that has been milking cows for over 30 years.  Owners, Bill and Phyllis Kilby share the 440 cow milking herd operation with their children and are hopeful that their grandchildren will continue the family tradition.  Because of fluctuating dairy prices, a new venture is being created called “Kilby Cream” that will help increase their return on their milk and to prepare the 4th generation for farming.  “I am delighted that Kilby’s, Inc. has been selected to receive funding through USDA Rural Development’s Value-Added Producer Grant Program,” said U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes.  “In authorizing this program under the 2002 Farm Bill, the Congress sought to help bolster the viability and profitability of family farms such as the Kilby’s.  I am pleased to join in wishing them success on this new venture.”

 

Kilby Cream was 1 of 97 successful applicants in 34 states that applied for a competitive round of grant funding provided by USDA Rural Development.  Nearly 400 applications were received nationwide to compete for value-added agricultural product market development grants.  Kilby Cream will add value to farm fresh milk, acquired from Kilbys’s Inc., by changing its form into ice cream on a farm setting.  The on-site processing and retail store will provide an additional attraction for education and agri-tourism enthusiast.  “With the disappearance of family farms across the United States, President Bush is committed to helping America’s farmers expand their customer base by adding value to their farm commodity,” said Marlene Elliott, USDA Rural Development State Director.  “This farming operation is looking at new ways to support their family farm by offering a farm fresh product with an added feature to tour the farm.”

 

  

            The Kilbys will begin the process of making ice cream this winter and promoting their homemade delicacy at community events.  An official grand opening is planned for the spring of 2005.  Lisa Kilby, President of Kilby Cream said, “One of our goals is to make this a learning experience for children, to help them understand where food comes from and to make it a fun family event.  We’re sure that we offer two things that children love most……ice cream and animals.”

 

                                                                                            

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. Further information on rural programs is available by calling their State Office that serves Maryland and Delaware at (302) 697-4300 or visit their web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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            USDA Rural Development is an Equal Opportunity Lender, Provider, and Employer. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410.