Butterworks Farm

What Butterworks Farm does

Butterworks Farm is a Vermont-based organic dairy farm and on-farm creamery producing artisan cultured dairy products — including whole and nonfat yogurts, kefir in multiple flavors, buttermilk, and heavy cream — from the milk of a closed herd of approximately 70 Jersey cows fed exclusively on grass, legumes, and native plants. The farm operates a vertically integrated model in which milk is piped directly from the milking barn into an on-farm creamery for culturing, filling, packing, and shipping. Production is anchored by a 60x120-foot solar hoop barn that composts bedding in place for natural winter heating, and the farm has been certified organic and 100% grass-fed since 2016.

The business sells its products through a regional wholesale and retail network across the Northeast, leveraging distributors such as United Natural Foods (UNFI), Black River Produce, and Provisions International to reach retailers including Whole Foods Market and Hannaford, supplemented by co-op placement, the FarmConnex local delivery service, and online ordering via FarmersToYou.com for Boston-area consumers. Customer segments split between health-conscious individual consumers seeking organic, probiotic, grass-fed dairy and retail/wholesale buyers stocking premium organic SKUs. Marketing is conducted through Facebook, Instagram, a recipe blog, an email newsletter ("MOOsletter"), and earned regional press.

The farm was founded in 1976 by Jack and Anne Lazor, who ran it for 48 years until August 2024, when it was acquired by Anthony Calderaro, Ania Kuniej, and Joseph Calderaro, with Anthony Calderaro assuming the CEO role. The company is privately held with approximately 10 employees and no disclosed institutional investment. Pricing is set at retail point-of-sale and not publicly disclosed.

Name

Butterworks Farm

Legal name

Butterworks Farm

Website

https://butterworksfarm.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Butterworks Farm is a Vermont organic dairy farm and on-farm creamery producing artisan yogurts, kefirs, buttermilk, and heavy cream from a 70-cow closed Jersey herd. It sells wholesale through regional distributors and retailers like Whole Foods and Hannaford across the Northeast.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Organic Cultured Dairy Products

NAICS

Dairy Cattle and Milk Production (112120), Dairy Cattle and Milk Production (11212), Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115), Dairy Product (except Frozen) Manufacturing (31151)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020), Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

Pasture-Based & Grazing Dairy Systems (AFAEACAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Milk Production (Raw Milk) (AFAEACAA), Dairy Feed & Forage Production (On-Farm) (AFAEACAK), Dairy Housing, Milking Systems & On-Farm Infrastructure Operations (AFAEACAG), Cultured Buttermilk Manufacturing (AFAHADAG), Butter & Cultured Dairy (Yogurt, Sour Cream, Kefir) Wholesale (AFAIAEAB)

Keywords

• Organic dairy products
• Grass-fed yogurt
• Cultured dairy beverages
• Artisan kefir production
• On-farm creamery

Headquarters

HQ city

Westfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Cultured Dairy Products: Sale of artisan yogurts, kefirs, buttermilk, and heavy cream made from 100% grass-fed organic Jersey milk through retail distribution channels

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Butterworks Farm is a Vermont organic dairy farm and on-farm creamery that produces and sells artisan cultured dairy products—including whole-milk and nonfat yogurts, kefirs, buttermilk, and heavy cream—made from 100% grass-fed Jersey cow milk with live probiotic cultures. Products are distributed through regional natural-food distributors and retailers across the Northeast United States, with online ordering available for Boston-area home delivery. The farm manages a closed Jersey herd of approximately 70 cows on rotationally grazed pastures supported by an on-site solar barn.

Product overview

Butterworks Farm is a Vermont-based organic dairy farm and creamery offering a line of cultured dairy products made from 100% grass-fed Jersey cow milk. The product portfolio centers on artisan yogurts (including Whole Jersey Milk Yogurt, Organic Nonfat Plain Yogurt, Nonfat Lemon Yogurt, Organic Vanilla Yogurt, and Organic Whole Maple Yogurt), cultured beverages (Kefir in Orange Sunshine, Plain, and Maple varieties), Organic Buttermilk, and Organic Heavy Cream. Products are produced in an on-farm creamery and distributed throughout the Northeast. The company transitioned to 100% grass-fed dairy farming in 2016 and received new ownership in August 2024.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Jersey Milk Yogurt Traditional old-fashioned whole Jersey milk yogurt made from 100% grass-fed cow's milk, high in Omega-3 fatty acids and CLA (conjugated linoleic acids), with live probiotic cultures including L. acidophilis, L. bulgaricus, and S. thermophilus. Targeted at health-conscious consumers seeking organic, full-fat cultured dairy.
• Organic Nonfat Plain Yogurt Clean, bright-flavored organic nonfat yogurt made from high-protein organic skim milk with live probiotic cultures (L. acidophilis, L. bulgaricus, S. thermophilus) and no additives. Targeted at health-conscious consumers seeking a low-fat cultured dairy option.
• Nonfat Lemon Yogurt High-protein organic nonfat yogurt combined with locally produced maple syrup and natural lemon flavor, with live probiotic cultures. Made from 100% grass-fed Jersey cow milk and targeted at consumers seeking flavored low-fat cultured dairy.
• Six Ounce Single-Serving Yogurts Single-serving 6-ounce organic yogurts made with 100% grass-fed, high-protein whole milk. Available in multiple flavors, with maple syrup sourced from local neighbor Butternut Mountain Farm. Targeted at on-the-go consumers and single-serve retail occasions.
• Organic Whole Maple Yogurt Whole-milk organic yogurt sweetened with Vermont maple syrup, made from 100% grass-fed Jersey cow milk. Targeted at consumers seeking premium organic whole-milk flavored yogurt with regional ingredients.
• Organic Vanilla Yogurt Organic vanilla-flavored yogurt made from 100% grass-fed organic Jersey milk. Targeted at consumers seeking a classic flavored organic whole-milk yogurt.
• Orange Sunshine Kefir Popular cultured dairy beverage blending orange, vanilla, maple, and fresh milk, with protein, calcium, and probiotics. Lower in fat than traditional whole-milk yogurts. Targeted at health-conscious consumers seeking a probiotic, fruity dairy beverage.
• Organic Buttermilk Organic cultured buttermilk made from 100% grass-fed Jersey cow milk, containing live probiotic cultures. Targeted at home bakers and cooking consumers seeking organic, regional buttermilk.
• Organic Heavy Cream Rich organic heavy cream produced weekly from 100% grass-fed Jersey cow milk. Limited production item targeting consumers cooking and baking with premium organic dairy.

Quantifiable outcome

• Increased Omega-3 and CLA in milk compared to grain-fed cows
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Anthony Calderaro, Ania Kuniej, and Joseph CalderarocoreOthers · 1 August 2024New owners acquired Butterworks Farm in August 2024, continuing the legacy of the Lazor family. Anthony Calderaro serves as Owner and CEO, committed to continuing the tradition of grass-fed organic dairy farming started in 1976.
• Organic ValleycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArranged milk pickup during holiday weeks when the creamery was closed, helping manage milk overflow during Christmas week when cows continue producing milk but the creamery takes vacation.
• FarmConnexcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDelivery partner helping distribute Butterworks products across Vermont, supporting the local food system distribution network.
• Butternut Mountain FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal maple syrup supplier providing maple syrup used as an ingredient in Maple Yogurt and other maple-flavored products.
• Shelburne FarmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative cheesemaking arrangement where Butterworks milk was processed into Cheddar cheese at Shelburne Farms facility during holiday weeks.
• Caledonia SpiritsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCaledonia Spirits sourced corn from Jack Lazor for their Early Riser Corn Whiskey, honoring the legacy of the Vermont farmer.
• Sterling CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted Sterling College students for educational events about the future of farming, with visits from agricultural thought leaders including Fred Kirschenmann.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Cabot Creamery: A Vermont dairy cooperative producing a wide range of dairy products. Cabot is a broad incumbent competitor in the Northeast dairy aisle and competes for the same retail shelf space at chains like Hannaford and Whole Foods.
• Lifeway Foods: The leading US kefir brand and a broader specialty cultured-dairy incumbent. Lifeway directly competes with Butterworks' kefir line on grocery shelves and represents a scaled player that benefits from category growth Butterworks helped build.

Direct peers

• Vermont Creamery: A Vermont-based artisan creamery producing cultured dairy including buttermilk and crème fraîche. While product overlap is partial, Vermont Creamery competes for the same premium natural-foods retail customer and Northeast regional distribution.
• Noosa Yoghurt: A premium whole-milk yogurt brand with a strong natural and specialty retail presence. Noosa competes with Butterworks in the premium yogurt set at Whole Foods, natural food co-ops, and Northeast grocers.
• Stonyfield Farm: The largest organic yogurt brand in the US, headquartered in New Hampshire. Stonyfield is a direct competitor in the organic yogurt category with overlapping Northeast distribution, similar grass-fed and organic positioning cues, and overlapping retail customers.
• Organic Valley: The largest organic dairy cooperative in the US. Organic Valley produces organic cultured dairy including yogurt and kefir, operates a grass-fed organic milk supply, and is already a channel partner to Butterworks, making it a direct comparable in both product and supply model.
• Maple Hill Creamery: A New York-based 100% grass-fed organic dairy brand producing yogurt and drinkable cultured products. Maple Hill is the closest head-to-head competitor on the grass-fed organic positioning that defines Butterworks.
• Straus Family Creamery: A certified organic, 100% grass-fed creamery in Northern California producing yogurt, kefir, and buttermilk. Comparable to Butterworks as a small-scale, family-owned, vertically integrated organic dairy with on-farm processing.
• Hawthorne Valley Farm: A New York biodynamic dairy and creamery producing yogurt, kefir, and cultured dairy from 100% grass-fed cows. Hawthorne Valley competes with Butterworks on regenerative/organic positioning and in the same Northeast natural foods channel.

Regional players

• Five Acre Farms: A Northeast-based regional dairy brand sourcing from small family farms for fluid milk and cream products. While not a cultured-dairy specialist, Five Acre Farms competes for the same premium regional, locally-sourced positioning in Northeast retailers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ButterworksFarm
• Instagraminstagram.com/butterworksfarmvt
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/butterworks-farm

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Butterworks Farm