Painterland Sisters: Transforming Dairy Farming with Icelandic Skyr in Appalachia

Stephanie and Hayley Painter, dairy farmers from Pennsylvania, discovered inspiration during a trip to Iceland. They noticed the striking similarity between Iceland’s rugged green terrain and their own appalachian farm-both featuring steep slopes unsuitable for traditional crops but perfect for cattle grazing.

This insight ignited a new vision: to bring creamy, nutrient-packed Icelandic skyr yogurt to American consumers while promoting organic farming practices. Their family’s fourth-generation dairy farm was on the brink of closure amid the dominance of industrial-scale dairies. Today, it remains the only active dairy farm in their township thanks to their innovative focus on skyr production.

Preserving Tioga County’s Agricultural Legacy

Located near the New York border in Westfield, Pennsylvania, Painterland Farms is the last remaining dairy operation in its region. “There used to be hundreds of small farms here,” Hayley recalls. “Each had its own barn, home, and pasture.” Growing up surrounded by this farming culture deeply shaped both sisters’ identities.

“We couldn’t even afford yogurt as kids,” Stephanie admits openly. “But we were rich in pride.” The Painters have been milking cows since the 1940s and share a profound connection with their land and animals.

The area’s challenging geography-with steep hills that limit housing or crop cultivation-has long constrained conventional agriculture. Economic downturns like the Great Recession led to rail service cuts due to declining profitability among small dairies; many local processing plants shut down as organic farming waned.

The Vital Role of Grazing Ecosystems

“Cattle grazing does more than produce milk-it sustains biodiversity,” explains Hayley.”Properly managed pastures support pollinators like bees and butterflies along with other wildlife.” Despite harsh market conditions forcing many farmers into survival mode-selling hay or livestock-the Painters remained committed not just to survive but innovate.

A Strategic Shift Toward Ultra-Filtered Skyr Yogurt

After traditional milk sales collapsed nationwide leaving them without buyers, Stephanie and Hayley sought a product that could financially sustain their farm-and emotionally inspire them as well.

Although neither sister initially favored yogurt itself, they connected with Gunnar-a co-manufacturer from Iceland whose family has produced authentic skyr for generations.His dedication convinced them that skyr was worth pursuing wholeheartedly.

“Vikings developed skyr as a nutrient-dense food ideal for enduring long journeys across tough landscapes,” says Hayley. “The cultures naturally boost protein while reducing sugar.”

Their ultra-filtered skyr condenses four cups of milk into each 5.3-ounce serving using gentle concentration methods inspired by Viking traditions rather than harsh centrifugation common elsewhere-preserving micronutrients and whey proteins beneficial for digestion.

A Creamy Innovation: Embracing Double Cream Milkfat

Pain­ter­land Sis­ters’ ver­sion dis­tin­guish­es it­self through its rich 6% double cream milkfat content-a purposeful effort to restore fat’s positive image much like Brie cheese has recently done:

“If Brie can be double cream,” reflects Hayley thoughtfully, “why can’t yogurt?”

Tackling Market Obstacles & Expanding Nationwide Presence

• Pandemic-Driven Demand: The COVID-19 pandemic unexpectedly boosted interest in organic dairy products across America;
• Mainstream Retail Entry: Their first major retail partner was Giant Food grocery chain which embraced local brands despite premium pricing;
• Shelf Space at Whole Foods: Within months Painterland Sisters secured placement across over 500 Whole Foods stores featuring multi-serve tubs alongside single-serving options with unique flavors such as Blueberry lemon & Savannah Peach;

A brand Rooted in Authenticity & Consumer Connection

“Our goal is simple-to connect consumers directly with farmers so farms can thrive,” says Hayley.
“We put our name on every container as we want people-from cities to rural towns-to feel personally connected when they buy our yogurt.”

Enduring Expansion Powered by Community Support

The brand initially launched through agricultural grants before turning toward community-driven funding platforms where over 700 investors contributed starting at $100 each-including many fellow farmers eager for shared success opportunities.

This grassroots momentum attracted institutional investors; Spacestation Investments led a recent seven-figure seed round after witnessing rapid sales growth exceeding 100% year-over-year according to SPINS data despite typical cold-chain investment hesitations due primarily to refrigeration needs.

“Investors sampled our yogurt then quickly increased support-it was unprecedented among our portfolio companies,” notes Jaxon Stuart from Spacestation investments.
“The product’s authenticity shines when you meet these passionate sisters.”

A Regenerative Approach Beyond Profit Margins

• Biodiversity-enhancing grazing practices improve soil health;
• Nutrient-rich products promote consumer wellness;
• Tight supply chains reduce environmental impact while supporting local economies;

“Regeneration isn’t just buzzwords-it’s how we’ve always farmed naturally here,” emphasizes stephanie.
“By showing customers who grows their food personally-we foster respect both for nature and nutrition.”

Dairy Industry Trends Fueling Innovation Today

• Lactose-free dairy sales surged over 12% last year despite price increases reflecting shifting consumer preferences beyond cost considerations;
• The U.S. yogurt market recently surpassed $11 billion driven largely by demand for convenient high-protein options aligned with modern lifestyles;

Pioneering Organic Dairy Leadership Across Pennsylvania And Beyond

< p > As board members within PA Preferred Organic , Stephanie and Hayley actively contribute toward positioning Pennsylvania second only behind California nationally regarding organic production .Their efforts highlight how localized regenerative models can scale impactfully.
< p > Ultimately , Painterland Sisters stand out not merely because they produce remarkable ultra-filtered Icelandic style yogurts – but because they embody resilience , innovation , community connection , ecological stewardship -and above all else -a deep love rooted firmly within Appalachian soil .