BERNARDSTON, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — Townline Ice Cream in Bernardston is representing Franklin County in the newly unveiled Massachusetts Ice Cream Trail which highlights the local dairy industry and small businesses across the state. The trail map takes ice cream enthusiasts on a tour of ice cream destinations and provides information on the local dairy farming culture.
From the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources:
Today, Massachusetts is home to 95 dairy farms that contribute more than $61 million to the state economy annually. Dairy farming has been an integral part of the state’s agricultural industry for hundreds of years, and dairy farms, the majority of which are small and family-owned, producing more than 20 million gallons of fresh milk each year. These farms contribute to a sustainable local food system by producing the milk that is used to make products like cheese, yogurt, butter, and ice cream that are sold in the state and across the country.
“For generations, our dairy farmers have been responsible caretakers and stewards of farmland and other natural resources,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “The Ice Cream Trail celebrates our unique and distinct dairy industry that makes the best ice cream in America.”