After several years of planning and construction, two West Georgia dairy families fulfilled a lifelong dream this month when they opened doors to their own creamery. Arnold Murphy and his sons, Kenneth and Winfred of Meriwether County, along with Billy Bartlett and his children DeWayne and Denise of Carroll County, created a partnership and built the first business of its kind in Bowdon, Georgia.  The creamery, West Georgia Creamery, will produce plain whole milk, chocolate milk, and buttermilk. In the future, the families hope to add to their product line with butter and coffee creamer.     

 

The Murphy and Bartlett families have been close friend for over 20 years.  The idea to build the creamery was first imagined back in 2010. 

 

"We just have a passion for milk and we felt like milk is not being sold the way it comes out of the cow," said co-owner Kenneth Murphy.  "The reviews for our products have been very positive and it's our intention to start supplying local stores next."

The Bartlett Family

The Bartlett Family has a strong history in farming that dates back to 1943, when Gerald and Inez Cavender purchased several hundred acres to grow cotton, corn and wheat.  As their family grew, so did the farm with the addition of chicken houses in 1961 and 1965.  In 1977, Gerald retired and sold their farm

to his daughter, Barbara, and son-in-law, Billy Bartlett. 

 

Billy and Barbara farmed for many years with their children DeWayne and Denise.  In 1994, the family added a dairy parlor to their farm.  The Bartlett farm is now a father and son venture with over 500 acres, 230 cows (120 milking cows) and 5 generations of hard working family members. 

The Murphy Family

The Murphy Family has been farming since the late 1800s, when Jack and Nettie Lou Murphy started growing cotton. In fact, part of the farm today has never been owned by anyone other than the Murphys, who purchased it initially through the Georgia Land Lotteries system.

 

Throughout the years, the family has farmed  cotton, soybeans, corn, and other crops. In 1989, James "Arnold" and Juanita Murphy with their sons, Kenneth and Winfred, began dairy farming. In 1996, Arnold retired from teaching and expanded the farm to 660 acres.

The dairy herd now includes 125 Holsteins and Jersey cows.   Earlier this year, the family experienced a tough loss when the matriarch of the family, Juanita, passed away unexpectedly. She was an integral part of family farm, keeping the books, managing the family and milking the cows whenever needed.

The Murphy family is very active in the dairy and agricultural industry. Kenneth, serves on the Board of Directors for Georgia Milk Producers, the Georgia Beef Commission, and the Georgia Beef Board. He also serves as the President of the Meriwether County Farm Bureau.

In a community big on agriculture, the dairy industry in West Georgia has suffered greatly over the last 30 years with many small farms going out of business.  The creamery offers a new opportunity for these families to support their passion for cows, milk and the dairy industry.  To learn more about West Georgia Creamery, visit their Facebook page here.