Low milk prices have been devastating dairy farmers in the Alleghenies, but the Somerset County family was determined not to let the dairy slump get the better of them, and has figured out a different way to get by.

"We decided to make cheese. We always enjoyed eating cheese, and I love working in the kitchen," Carolyn Van Grouw, whose farm is just outside of Berlin, said.

Since then, it's been a learning curve.

"We get some advice from Amish friends and some in Lancaster County. We worked with them for a day making cheese," Van Grouw said.

Now, the family does the entire process themselves. Daughter Sarah Van Grouw said she's in charge of raising her dad's calves and heifers, bedding up the cows and helping her mom package the cheese.

The family has made specialty cheeses like tomato, basil cheddar, jalapeño and their best-seller, garlic parsley -- and they're always looking for recipes to expand.

The operation is still small and they are selling at farmers' markets and the store on their farm, so they still sell some milk. But, Carol said, "When they come back, you know something's going right."

Previous Stories: November 1, 2010: Local Farmers Frustrated By New DEP Regulations September 21, 2010: Farmers Frustrated After Judge Blocks Milk Pricing Overhaul July 19, 2010: Budget Woes, Future Of Farming Hot Topics At Local Fair July 14, 2010: Farmers: Heat Wave, Sudden Rain Hurting Local Crops April 21, 2010: Dairy Farmers Hope For Mandatory, Instant Pricing System January 15, 2010: Local Dairy Companies Fear Walmart Is Taking Their Milk Off The Shelf January 13, 2010: Dairy Farmers Losing Money January 12, 2010: Local Dairy Farmers Meet To Ask For Assistance December 23, 2009: Centre County Dairy Farmers Hit Hard By Economy