WASILLA -- An Anchorage auction company has lost its bid to have the state reconsider a decision to pick two California firms to auction off what's left of the defunct Matanuska Maid dairy's equipment.
Local milk, cheese to be on sale soon
Dairy farmers in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough can breathe a sigh of relief. The new Matanuska Creamery, in the works since last year, is up and running, which means farmers will no longer have to dump milk.
Firm protests contract for dairy equipment sale
WASILLA -- An Anchorage auction firm is formally challenging the decision to hire two California firms to auction off what's left of the defunct Matanuska Maid dairy's equipment.
Dairy operator, state defend lease agreement
WASILLA -- Anonymous online postings suggesting Kyle Beus, manager of a dairy enterprise outside Palmer, raided the defunct, state-owned Matanuska Maid dairy for equipment are plain wrong, Beus said.
Churning up hope for dairy farmers
The day begins at 4 a.m. on Jean and Bob Havemeister's farm in the Valley with the first milking of their herd of more than 100 cows. Twelve hours later, the udder-heavy cows tromp back into the milk parlor for another round. These days, though, there's often a third chore -- taking that same milk, up to 500 gallons a day -- and pouring it on their field.
Auctioneers cry foul over dairy selloff
A group of Alaska auctioneers is protesting the state Creamery Board choice of two Lower 48 firms to sell off what equipment remains of the defunct Matanuska Maid dairy.
Matanuska Maid's solvent in end
WASILLA -- Despite more than $1 million in losses in its final year in operation, the Matanuska Maid dairy ended its 71-year run in the black, with a bit of help from the state, according to state officials.
PALMER -- The state Agriculture and Conservation Board has unanimously approved a plan to obtain appraisals of the Matanuska Maid properties as part of an effort to dispose of them.
Palmer gets OK to negotiate for portion of Mat-Maid facility
PALMER -- City Manager Bill Allen got the go-ahead Tuesday night to negotiate with the state Agriculture and Conservation Board to buy the Palmer portion of the Matanuska Maid facility.
Idle Mat Maid plant still costs close to $40,000 a month
Even standing empty, the Matanuska Maid dairy in Anchorage will cost the state up to $40,000 a month for heating, insurance, property taxes and other bills.
Dairy farmers may be able to tap state grant
It's OK if part of a $600,000 state grant winds up in the pockets of dairy farmers, says a state senator who previously argued the money should be used only to pay debts left by Matanuska Maid.
Plans to dump Mat-Su milk concern officials
WASILLA -- The state has environmental concerns about plans by some Mat-Su farmers to dump most of the 1,600 gallons of milk they produce daily onto their properties now that Matanuska Maid Dairy is going out of business.
Matanuska Maid Dairy's final days
It looked like any other day at the dairy. A red-suited Frosty the Snowman and copies of "Dairy Foods" magazine greeted visitors. Crews bustled about moving and stacking crates of orange juice and cottage cheese onto waiting pallets.
PALMER -- The state opened a locked safe at the Division of Agriculture office Friday to reveal how many bids it received for the Matanuska Maid dairy. The answer was none.
Bids for Mat Maid purchase to be opened today
Today, not far from the spot where the Matanuska Maid dairy got its start in Palmer, state officials will likely put an end to its 71 years of history.
Joseph Van Treeck, the head of Matanuska Maid dairy for more than 20 years, has filed a lawsuit against his former employer, saying he was made a "scapegoat" by the failing creamery and was denied severance payments.
Matanuska Maid dairy falls deeper into the red
WASILLA -- The state-owned Matanuska Maid dairy reported another loss of just over $183,000 in September. That brings to $1.2 million the total loss at the struggling dairy thus far this year.
Entrepreneur exits dairy development
The last thing Alaska dairy farmers needed was more bad news. But this week an Anchorage businessman said he has withdrawn from a project that is the farmers' main hope for salvaging a market for their milk once the state-owned Matanuska Maid dairy c
State plans Matanuska Maid sale despite pleas
WASILLA -- The state plans to sell the Matanuska Maid dairy despite a plea from Matanuska-Susitna Borough farmers to set aside some of their assets for a proposed milk cooperative.
Several Mat Maid offers on table
Four Mat-Su dairy farmers are asking the state to modify its plan to sell the beleaguered Matanuska Maid dairy, and instead lease them some of the company's equipment and property so they can start their own cooperative.
Several Mat Maid offers on table
Four Mat-Su dairy farmers are asking the state to modify its plan to sell the beleaguered Matanuska Maid dairy, and instead lease them some of the company's equipment and property so they can start their own cooperative.
DISCUSS
How much power do you think the Palmer mayor should have?
ONGOING SERIES
Track the potential closing of the local dairy farm, and share your thoughts on the matter.
VIDEO
The Central Mat-Su Fire Department conducted a live fire brush fire exercise on Tuesday, May 15, 2007.
DISCUSS
Share your thoughts on the new prison coming to Mat-Su.
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Matanuska Maid lost $100,000-plus in August
Matanuska Maid lost $100,000-plus in August
State wants at least $3.35 million for Matanuska Maid
State wants at least $3.35 million for Matanuska Maid
Palin decides to sell Mat Maid
Palin decides to sell Mat Maid
Matanuska Maid's huge loss shocks board
Matanuska Maid's huge loss shocks board
Creamery Board approves milk price increase for dairy farmers
Creamery Board approves milk price increase for dairy farmers
Dairy bailout called wrong business plan
Dairy bailout called wrong business plan
State agriculture board rescues Matanuska Maid for time being
State agriculture board rescues Matanuska Maid for time being
Palin addresses farmers protesting dairy closing
Palin addresses farmers protesting dairy closing
Matanuska Maid will close on July 7
Governor gets a frosty reception from Mat Maid
Mat Maid board rejects Palin plea to stay open
Palin wants Mat Maid to reconsider closing
Matanuska Maid will close on July 7
Governor gets a frosty reception from Mat Maid
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