By SHERRY BUNTING  /  Special for Farmshine

LEOLA, Pa.  –  A team of videographers was in Pennsylvania May 19-23 doing interviews and filming for a special documentary project that will tell the untold story of America’s dairy farmers.

Robin Fitch of Litchfield, New York is working alongside Main Street Drone Videographers, LLC, based in Weymouth, Massachusetts to produce the documentary expected to be released in August.

“I have always wanted to do this,” Robin shared in a phone interview with Farmshine before arriving in the Keystone state Monday, May 19. She is committed to telling this story – “before it is too late.

“As a farmer’s wife, I have personally witnessed the hardships these families face. They work 365 days a year, and they love what they do, but there are struggles and challenges that most people don’t see. We want to bring their voices forward and bring this to the average person. We are traveling the country to ensure their stories reach the American people,” she says.

Robin has enlisted the help of independent, licensed videographers. The team is committed to volunteering their time and skills, but they do need support to cover travel and lodging expenses that are essential to completing the project.

Last week, the crew filmed and interviewed dairy farmers in New York State. Early this week, they were in upstate Pennsylvania, to speak with long-time farmers Gerald Carlin and Brenda Cochran. Both have a legacy in dairy and farming advocacy.

They spent two days over the midweek in southeastern Pennsylvania, including a stop at the Berks County farm of Nelson Troutman, who was interviewed about the genesis of the 97 Milk movement and why he painted that first roundbale: Drink Whole Milk 97% Fat Free.

Also interviewed at Troutman’s farm was Bernie Morrissey, who chairs the Grassroots Pennsylvania Dairy Advisory Committee of volunteers working with the 97 Milk supporters to focus educational efforts on the decade-long effort to bring back the choice of whole milk to schools.

Also on the itinerary was a stop at a farm in Ronks, Lancaster County to see a small Amish family dairy at work during milking time, interviewing them and another farmer, Ben Masemore, who drove down from Barto to participate. Both dairymen were planting corn or chopping hay past midnight the night before — ahead of the rain — but took time to talk with the documentary crew.

They will also be interviewing others about dairy farming and the dairy industry before moving on in their journey, and we at Farmshine are honored to participate, so stay tuned!

Travel expenses are being paid out of the crew’s own pockets at this time, so contributions would help the project continue so the stories are told, as well as bringing a benefit to the broader farming community by advocating for fairer prices and improved financial stability.

To donate to this cause and receive a receipt for your generosity, scan the QR code if you have Venmo, or mail checks made out to: Main Street Drone Videographers, LLC, at 10303 Avalon Drive, Weymouth, MA 02188. Be sure to write “Dairy Documentary” in the memo line of the check. Or contact Robin Fitch for more information at 315-737-3787.