Ice Cream, Robotic Milking, and On-Farm Bottling

Date: Monday, July 28
Time: 10am – 3pm (lunch included)
Location: Chester Springs Creamery, Chester Springs, Chester County

Get an in depth look at the ice cream making process at Chester Springs Creamery where over 35 flavors are manufactured and packaged weekly. Discussion will include creamery business planning and financing, choosing the right equipment, and managing employees and customers at a busy on-farm store. Watch a batch of ice cream being made and get a tour of the farm including the robotic milking system. The Matthews will share their plans for a micro-processor to be installed this summer, enabling on-farm milk pasteurizing and bottling. Learn about the field crops and CSA established to diversify revenue streams for the farm business.

Milky Way Farm, a 4th generation farm 30 miles from Philadelphia, milks 30 Holstein-Friesian cows with a robotic milking system. Located in dense suburbia, Milky Way has offered educational school tours for decades and welcomed over 12,000 visitors to pick their own pumpkins. To diversify their farm business, in 2001 the Matthews family created the Chester Springs Creamery and more recently they developed a 60 family CSA now in its second year.

To register:
Cost:	$15 PASA members $25 all others

Directions:

From Philadelphia: Schuylkill Expressway (76 W) to PA Turnpike. Exit PA Turnpike at interchange 312 (old Exit 23, Downingtown/West Chester). From the exit follow Route 100 South (towards West Chester) to Route 113. Turn left on Route 113 (north towards Phoenixville). Chester Springs Creamery at Milky Way Farm is located on the left side of Route 113 in Chester Springs, approximately 50 yards after the third traffic light. You have gone too far if you come to Route 401.

From anywhere via Route 202: Exit Route 401 West. Follow 401 West to Route 113. Turn left onto Route 113 South. Chester Springs Creamery at Milky Way Farm is located on the right side of Route 113 in Chester Springs, approximately one mile after you make your turn onto Route 113. You have gone too far if you come to a traffic light.