Telaak Farms is a family operated, medium sized Dairy Farm located in the Town of Mansfield. It is presently owned and operated by brothers, Don and Dave Telaak and their wives, Lynn and Joyce, along with 10 employees. The farm has been selected by the Cattaraugus County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board as the 2012 Farm of the Year. This award is being presented to them because of their commitment to portraying a positive image and promoting the importance of the agricultural industry throughout the County. The following characteristics resulted in the farm being nominated for this award:
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Telaak Farms is a neat, efficient, family run operation that effectively illustrates the point that agriculture is still a vibrant, successful, community and environmentally friendly industry in the County. Because of these attributes, the farm has been recognized as a “Dairy of Distinction”
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The Telaak Family has actively promoted the importance of the agricultural industry in the County and region through educational activities such as farm tours and participating in various local organizations including Farm Bureau, the County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board, the County Soil & Water Conservation District Board, and others.
- The Farm proactively promotes a strong cooperative relationship with neighboring residents and the community, and is considerate and responsive to any concerns they may have regarding their operation. In addition, family members are active in non-farm related community activities including the local volunteer fire department, snowmobile club, etc.
- Telaak Farms has practiced many years of environmental stewardship to protect and enhance natural resources. Mansfield Creek flows through the entire length of the farm’s land, and is one of the most productive and important trout streams in the County. The Telaak Family recognized the need to protect this valuable resource, and has worked cooperatively with numerous local agencies and organizations to implement many best management practices to minimize impacts to the stream. In addition to stream improvement, the farm actively participates in the Agricultural Environmental Management Program and various USDA conservation programs.
