More than 800 pounds of butter has arrived at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, N.Y., marking the beginning of the construction of the 56th Annual American Dairy Association North East Butter Sculpture. Sponsored by Wegmans, this annual event is a well-known attraction in Central New York, celebrated for its intricate design and tribute to the state’s dairy industry.
Sculptors Jim Victor and Marie Pelton have begun the process of creating the sculpture, a task that will take approximately 11 days to complete. The butter used for the sculpture is sourced from O-AT-KA Milk Products in Batavia, N.Y., and consists of butter that is out of specification for retail sale. Instead of being discarded, the butter is repurposed into a piece of art that highlights the importance of New York’s dairy farmers.
According to John Chrisman, CEO of the American Dairy Association North East, the butter sculpture serves as a way to spotlight the dairy industry and honor the farmers who work diligently to produce nutrient-rich milk in a sustainable and responsible manner.
Once the sculpture’s 13-day display at the New York State Fair concludes, the butter will be sent to Noblehurst Farms in Pavilion, N.Y., where it will be recycled into renewable energy. Noblehurst Farms has a comprehensive recycling program that processes over 500 tons of food waste from various sources each month, converting it into energy that powers the farm and over 300 local homes. This recycling initiative not only reduces the farm’s carbon footprint but also diverts significant amounts of food waste from landfills, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.