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Welcome to Thomas Dairy. We are a small, family-owned dairy nestled in the beautiful, rolling hills of central Vermont. Our family has owned this land for over 150 years, starting from decidedly humble origins. When Grandfather Orin Thomas purchased our farm in 1854, it's unlikely that he knew he was beginning a family business that would continue to grow and prosper over the next three generations. Orin Thomas bought his first purebred Holstein in 1901 and upon his death in 1909, his son Orin took over management of the farm, which then had 40 Holsteins. In 1921, Orin started delivering milk in Rutland City and Thomas Dairy was born.
Approximately 30% of cows in the U.S. are treated with rbST - a hormone used to boost milk production. Because consumers have expressed a strong preference for milk from cows NOT treated with rbST (recombinant bovine somatotropin), all milk produced for Thomas Dairy is rbST-free. Instead of relying on rbST for increased milk production, at Thomas Dairy we believe happy, peaceful cows from small, healthy herds produce the creamiest, tastiest milk. And, because ALL the milk from Thomas Dairy comes from Vermont farmers who have have pledged not to use rbST, we can guarantee it is hormone-free.
In addition to our standard milk products, we now carry a full line of other dairy products including eggs, butter, and cheese.
On behalf of our family and those who work at Thomas Dairy, we thank you for visiting our website and purchasing our products.
From our fields to you since 1921.
1854
Farm purchased by grandfather of Orin Thomas.
1901
Orin's father purchased his first purebred Holstein.
1909
On the death of his father, 23 year-old Orin assumed the management of the 325-acre farm, which included a herd of 40 purebred Holsteins.
1912
Orin sold milk to a local milk plant from where it was shipped by rail to Boston.
1921
Orin started house-to-house milk deliveries in Rutland City, marking the beginning of Thomas Dairy. The cost of a quart of milk was 11 cents.
1931
Thomas Dairy pasteurized milk for the first time, doing so before it was required by law.
1943
Every-day milk deliveries replaced by every-other-day deliveries due to gas rationing in World War II.
1947
Thomas Dairy sold homogenized milk, the first local dairy to do so. Farm and dairy incorporated as Orin Thomas and Sons.
1952
Carton containers replaced glass bottles.
1955
Fire destroyed a barn and a large amount of farm machinery; barn and machinery replaced.
1968
Fire destroyed main cattle barn, a stanchion-type building. One cow died as 89 others were led to safety. A new 310-foot, free-stall cow barn and milking parlor built.
1975
Milk sold in plastic jugs as well as carton containers. Farm included 500 acres of land and 250 registered Holstein cows. Dairy had five retail and two wholesale routes.
1976
Dairy received "Vermont Seal of Quality," becoming one of the first dairies in the state allowed to use the designation.
1994
Thomas Dairy decided not to use the hormone rBST to increase milk production.
1995
A quart of homogenized milk sold for 80 cents.
1996
As of January 1, Thomas Dairy had 500 acres of land, 155 head of cattle (including 70 milking head), 8 delivery routes and 26 employees, 18,000 gallons of milk (72,000 quarts) processed each week.
1998
4 more delivery routes added for a total of 12 routes and 38 employees.
1999
Enlarged our walk-in cooler.
2000
Enlarged our processing plant and upgraded our equipment.
2003
Added new 20 valve filling machines enabling us to package milk in plastic containers.
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