

1 may 2025
From Tradition to Transformation: Chaseholm Farm Creamery Expands
For Rory Chase and his sister Sarah, preserving the legacy of Chaseholm Farm has always been personal. The siblings grew up on the family's 500-acre dairy farm in Pine Plains — land which their grandfather had assembled in the 1930s and '40s. When their father retired from dairy farming in the early 2000s and sold the herd to a Pennsylvania Amish family, Rory and Sarah committed to reimagining the farm's future.
Today, Chaseholm operates as two interconnected businesses. The land itself is owned by a trust managed by the three Chase siblings. The dairy farm business, including agricultural operations and the farm store, is owned and run by Sarah, who transitioned to organic, grass-based farming methods around 2012. The Creamery, owned and operated by Rory since 2007, creates artisanal cheeses using milk from their own cows and occasionally supplemented with milk from neighboring Ronnybrook Farm.
Expanding Capacity with HVADC Support
Now, Chaseholm Farm Creamery is entering a bold new phase of growth. A $200,000 loan from HVADC's Agribusiness Loan Fund for working capital will help expand production facilities, adding 3,200 square feet of adjacent space to house new equipment. Combined with a nearly $500,000 grant from the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center, this investment will allow the Creamery to more than double its production capacity.
"This project is massive for us," said Chase. "It allows us to expand what we do here, and hopefully add some co-packing — making cheese for other regional dairy producers. [Co-packing] is something that people have reached out to us about every year, but we’ve not been able to handle it.”
Construction is expected to begin this year, with completion targeted within six to nine months. The design ensures cheese production will continue with minimal interruption throughout construction.
New Opportunities
The expansion isn't just about making more of the same products. With increased capacity, Chase hopes to introduce two new cheese varieties — a Gouda-style cheese and another smear-ripened variety to complement their popular Red Beard cheese. The facility will position Chaseholm to increase the reach of its products across the Hudson Valley and beyond, including their best-selling triple cream Nimbus cheese and seasonal favorites like Alpage, modeled after the high Alpine styles of Gruyere and Emmentaler.
"It's an exciting transition that sees us retooling for the next 15-20 years, and being able to expand our reach and the scope of what we can do, both for ourselves and for other folks," Chase said.
A Comprehensive Partnership
HVADC's support extends beyond financing. Chaseholm previously received Business Technical Assistance from HVADC that funded expert consulting services. Financial consultant Rose Wilson helped the team refine five-year business projections, a critical component of their successful grant applications.
"The loan program has been amazing," Chase noted. "It's so hard to manage these massive interest rates, and it seems like a really special opportunity to lock in a slightly lower rate here.”
For Chaseholm, this expansion deepens their role in the local food system. The Creamery's growth will create new opportunities for neighboring farms and keep more local milk in regional markets. It also strengthens their ability to continue sustainable farming practices and maintain the vibrant community spirit that defines their farm.
Reflecting on the journey, Rory advised other agribusinesses to, "Shorten the struggle if you can, but stay at it. Know why you're doing what you're doing — having a reason helps you keep going when it's hard financially. Having partners you can rely on is crucial. That community support is wonderful, and HVADC extends that institutional support within the community, which is a big deal."
As construction begins and a new chapter unfolds, Chaseholm Farm Creamery remains rooted in its founding philosophy: honoring the past, innovating for the future, and nourishing its community — one wheel of cheese at a time.
To learn more about the HVADC Agribusiness Loan Fund, visit https://www.hvadc.org/agribusiness-loans.