Kansas Dairy Takes Many Forms
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Small-scale dairy producers in Kansas dairy have cultivated a unique range of goods for local markets. Discover three Kansas dairy farms – Hildebrand Farms Dairy in Junction City, Alma Creamery in Alma and Grazing Plains Farm LLC in Newton.
Many of these farms operate on land that has been stewarded by generations of dairy farmers. From cheese curds to specialty cheeses and whole milk, these dairies produce a variety of dairy-based products while tending to the land on which they depend.
Hildebrand Farms Dairy
Melissa Hildebrand Reed of Hildebrand Farms Dairy in Junction City comes from a long line of dairy farmers. Her great-grandfather immigrated from Switzerland and sold milk in glass bottles while working for the Union Pacific Railroad. Today, the glass bottle is still significant to the Hildebrand family business.
See more: Hildebrand Dairy Makes Its Mark in Kansas
“The glass bottle is our signature,” Reed says. “That’s what we’re known for and what people recognize us for.”
Hildebrand Farms produces a range of milk varieties, including whole, 2%, skim, nonhomogenized whole milk and flavored milk.
In addition, the farm produces heavy whipping cream, sweet cream, salted butters and specialty ice cream mixes used for home or commercial use.
In the fall, Hildebrand Farms hosts their Harvest Festival, a free event open to the public, to give back to their community. Local support can be essential for small businesses as they navigate a changing industry.
“Dairy in Kansas is growing,” Reed says.
To learn more, find Hildebrand Farms Dairy products, sign up for the Moosletter and more, visit hildebrandfarmsdairy.com.
Alma Creamery
At Alma Creamery, “local” is in the name as the hometown is the namesake of the dairy located in eastern Kansas.
“There’s no doubt where the milk and our products come from and where it’s made,” says Cody Dillon, director of business development at Alma Creamery.
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Owned by generations of the Hansen family, the creamery changed hands multiple times before finally falling back into Hansen family ownership.
The creamery specializes in jack and cheddar cheeses, including cheese curds in eight flavors.
At their new retail store, customers can enjoy a one-of-a-kind cheese curd bar, featuring “squeaky” cheese curds with a variety of different seasonings.
From the employees at their plant to the dairies that provide their milk, Alma Creamery is a source of livelihood for many in the community and the creamery sees its product as a means of telling the story of their region.
“Supporting local businesses is not just an investment in the product or service that you’re purchasing; it’s someone’s livelihood in your community,” Dillon says.
To learn more about Alma Creamery cheese and order today, visit almacheese.com.
Grazing Plains Farm LLC
At Grazing Plains Farm LLC in Newton, Jason Schmidt farms land that has been in his family for five generations. Today, Schmidt milks 70 cows on the farm and runs a small creamery producing around 60 pounds of cheese per week.
Smaller batches allow for diversity. The artisan cheeses range from cheddar curds, havarti and feta to a special fromage blanc, all
of which are sold on-site as well as in markets around the county and state.
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Schmidt prioritizes the health of the animals and land in the creation of these products. Environmental stewardship plays a large part in daily operations at the farm, from solar panels to rotational grazing and cover crop implementation.
“Most farmers have a deep love for their land,” Schmidt says. “I hope I’m building up the land so that it is a resource for future generations.”
For small-scale dairy farmers, hands-on care results in higher-quality product, imbued with an essence of the land.
“If you’re buying from local farms, even though the price might be more, the money is staying in the local economy,” Schmidt says. “You’re supporting people where you live and the economy where you live.”
Visit grazingplains.com for more about the dairy and their products.
