SPRING HOPE DAIRY AND WILLOW BEND FARM!
GENEVA, NEW YORK – The Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board, Inc. (FL WIB) announced today that Spring Hope Dairy and Willow Bend Farm, LLC located in Clifton Springs, NY is April’s “Business of the Month” recognizing the company’s efforts to build strong community partnerships along with their continuing contributions to the local economy.
Spring Hope Dairy produces high-quality milk for the Upstate Niagara Milk Co-op. They are committed to and care for their cows, land, employees and community. Founded in 1957 by George B. Mueller with just one cow, the farm now has about 3,000 cows. About 1,200 head are still at Mueller’s home dairy, along with 2,300 to 2,400 youngstock. They farm about 5,000 acres, most of which is used to grow forages.
Spring Hope Dairy Co-Owner, John Mueller has been a member of the Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board since October 2008 and currently serves as the board’s Vice Chair. In 2014 John became the Chair of the FLWIB Performance and Evaluation Committee. This year Spring Hope Dairy was one of the stops on the board’s first Agriculture Youth Career Exploration event entitled “Building the Agricultural Intellect of Finger Lakes Youth” held earlier this month. The event is intended for area high school students and includes visits to Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Finger Lakes Community College’s Viticulture Center. The Business of the Month Certificate was presented during this year’s event.
“John recognizes the value of developing the emerging workforce and works closely with the Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board to achieve a high standard of workforce development for the area. He also provided great insight and leadership in developing the ag career event,” says Karen Springmeier, Executive Director.