With nearly 4,500 dairy farms across the Northeast, they produce billions of pounds of milk each year, keeping dairy a vital part of the local economy and food system.
For two decades, Phoenix Feeds & Nutrition has had the privilege of serving these hardworking farmers—supporting progress, embracing innovation, and navigating industry challenges together.
As we reflect on the past 20 years, conversations with farmers and Phoenix team members revealed a few powerful themes: resilience, honoring legacy, a drive to embrace new ideas, and a deep connection to the land, animals, and one another.
Multigenerational farming
Farming is a unique industry where you have multiple generations working alongside each other. Today, the average dairy farmer is over 58 years old, and as they plan for the future, a new generation is stepping up.
Julia Robbins Ledoux, marketing manager at Robbins Family Grain & North Harbor Dairy in Sackets Harbor, New York, shares that her parents are now in a semi-retired stage of life. They’re gradually stepping back from day-to-day operations and transitioning more responsibility to her and her brother.
“It’s hard for an older guy like me to let go of the reins, but, you know, we work really hard at it here every day. In an operation this size, no one person can manage it all anyway,” said Ron Robbins, of Robbins Family Grain & North Harbor Dairy.
“Family businesses can be extremely challenging. But when I can sit in my office on a Monday morning and have my father sitting beside me, my brother beside me, my niece and my son, that’s pretty awesome. And not a lot of people get to experience that,” said Steve Kayhart, Kayhart Brothers LLC in Addison, Vermont.
“Pretty much every generation has fundamentally changed how we farm here. [We] embrace the newest innovations and those practices to keep improving the lives of our animals and the lives of the people that we sell milk to,” said Bram Robertson, Bohanan Farm in Contoocook, New Hampshire.
There’s a shared understanding that progress means change, but that doesn’t mean losing touch with the values and groundwork laid by previous generations.
Top photo: Heather and Jamie Robertson. Bottom photo: Their sons—Si, Bram, and Nate Robertson.
Staying resilient
Farmers understand better than anyone the resilience it takes to keep moving forward in the face of uncertainty. Whether it’s market prices, rising input costs, or increasing regulation, the pressures are constant and can be beyond your control.
“We’re price takers, not price makers,” said Ron Robbins, Robbins Family Grain & North Harbor Dairy.
At Phoenix Feeds & Nutrition, we know feed is often one of the biggest line items in a farm’s budget. Our feed and nutrition services are designed to deliver results and more value for your dollar without sacrificing quality.
“It’s important that we keep those costs controlled as much as we can and pass those savings on to farms,” said Shannon Danyow, Chief Financial Officer, Phoenix Feeds & Nutrition.
Our agile, regional business model allows us to be efficient, so you get on-time, cost-effective deliveries that fit into your production model.
“Being open to knowing that one size doesn’t fit all is really important to us. I think we’re really personalized as well with our customer service and specifically our collections on the accounts receivable side. We want to make it work for the farmer,” said Amanda Giard, Accounts Receivable, Phoenix Feeds & Nutrition.
Sustainability as a shared commitment
Sustainability isn’t just a goal; it’s the key to survival. Farmers are redefining care for the planet with renewable energy, rotational cropping and diversification by blending tradition with progress.
“Environmental sustainability is something that dairy farmers and other farmers have always been doing without, you know, being at the front and center,” said Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and Dairy Specialist, University of Maine.
“The cool thing about farming is that ecological sustainability and financial sustainability go hand in hand. You know, an extra 20 gallons of diesel fuel to do something that doesn’t make sense ecologically, also doesn’t make sense financially,” said Jake Ledoux, Robbins Family Grain & North Harbor Dairy.
Looking ahead together
As 40 to 50% of U.S. agricultural assets are expected to change hands in the next 15 years, there’s never been a more important time to plan, adapt, and support each other.
At Phoenix Feeds & Nutrition, we’re proud to be part of that effort and by your side through changing markets, evolving goals, and the everyday grit it takes to keep moving forward.
To every farmer who has trusted us, thank you. We look forward to the next chapter of growth, innovation, and shared success together.
Farmers feed the world—and we help them do it.