Dairy farming was once a mainstay in Michigan, but these small generational farms are keeping the tradition (and the milking!) going strong.
Editor’s note: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) explains that raw dairy can be dangerous. When consuming dairy products, the FDA recommends choosing pasteurized products. All of the dairy farms highlighted offer pasteurized milk and dairy products.
One of my first dates with my husband was “helping” him milk the cows on his family’s dairy farm in a small town in Michigan. We rounded the cows up into the barn (which is really just a formality, as any dairy farmer will attest that those cows basically know the drill), cleaned their udders, hooked up the milking machines, and made sure the milking area was clear of manure.
Afterward, I got a tour of the milking parlor and, of course, had my first taste of fresh cow’s milk. Dairy farming was such an integral part of my now-in-laws’ lives that my husband never even drank cow’s milk from a store until he was a senior in high school—he reports being shocked that even whole milk tasted like water to him!
Dairy farming was a way of life for many Michigan families like my husband’s, and while the number of family-owned dairy farms in the state has dropped at a shocking rate (140,000 family farms were lost from 2017 to 2020 alone), some families are holding strong to the tradition.
Today, there are around 850 dairy farms in Michigan, which supply the entire state’s needs for milk, cheese, and my personal favorite, ice cream. Get to know just a few of the family-owned dairy farms in Michigan below.
1. Ankley Family Farm
Location: North Branch
Located in the small farming town of North Branch, Ankley Farms is a third-generation centennial farm that milks around 90 dairy cows morning and night. For anyone who is unaware, one of the most challenging parts about dairy farming is that there are quite literally no breaks—those cows need to be milked morning and night, no matter what. There is no cashing in PTO to take a day off from dairy farming!
The Ankleys are well acquainted with what it means to be a dairy farmer, and alongside the dairy farm, the family also raises beef cattle, farms crops, and runs the very successful Ankley Family Farm Stand. The term “stand” is a bit of a misnomer, as the stand is actually a large operation that includes live events like farm-to-table dinners, seven acres of flowers for U-pick or photography, vegetables, a pumpkin patch, greenhouse, and, coming soon, a beautiful butterfly garden in honor of the Ankleys’ granddaughter, Jatavia, who passed away as a teenager from cancer.
We are fortunate enough to live near the Ankley Family Farm, and our personal favorite feature of this dairy farm, aside from the wonderful people who run it, is their famous handmade ice cream sandwiches. Ankley’s daughter and owner of the ice cream sandwich business, Monica Hendrickson, handmakes the sandwiches and has been teasing fans like me with weekly flavor drops. She promises that my favorite flavor, coffee ice cream with chocolate chip cookie sandwiches, is just on the horizon, and I cannot wait!
2. Country Dairy
Location: New Era
Located on the west side of Michigan, Country Dairy has come a long way from the humble beginnings of founder Andrew Van Gunst, who immigrated to the U.S. from the Netherlands in the 1800s and lost his father and sister on the journey, and his mother shortly after. Raised by his aunt and uncle, Van Gunst eventually operated a small family farm, which included about 8 to 12 milk cows.
The Dairy really got its start from Van Gust’s grandson, Wendell, who studied dairy science at Michigan State University and expanded the farm to focus on Holstein cows and added an on-site dairy processing plant. That basic business model still functions today, as the Country Dairy operates in its fourth generation with a 1,200-head herd of dairy cows, on-site milk and ice cream production, an ice cream store, “Moo” school, farm store, restaurant, and retailer. They bottle over 70,000 gallons of milk every single week.
3. Cook’s Family Farm
Location: Otisville
Cook’s Family Farm in Otisville is a family-owned farm that has been in operation since 1933. The farm’s history is a fascinating one: founder Clark Miller stepped away from a life path of working for his father at a Ford dealership in 1933 and chose to move to a farm. After the dairy barn on the 100-acre farm burned down, the family was forced to rebuild. And in 1979, while a student at MSU, Clark Cook devised a business plan as part of his school’s assignment to create his own on-site milk processing plant, along with a drive-through milk window to sell directly to local residents—and he did it.
The drive-through window relied on milk in plastic bags, which turned out to be difficult to sell, so Cook pivoted to making ice cream instead. The rest, as you say, was farm history. Today, the farm is still operating on the same business model: milk the cows and make the ice cream. They also farm their own crops to feed the milk cows and offer other services, such as farm tours and field trips. While you are there, don’t forget to pay a visit to Stella, the farm’s oldest and best-producing dairy cow!
4. Crooked Creek Farm Dairy
Location: Romeo
Like many of the other Michigan dairy farms we have featured so far, Crooked Creek Farm Dairy is a full farm-to-table operation. They have their own dairy herd, on-site dairy processing plant, and farm store with farm-raised beef, homemade ice cream, and of course, milk and dairy products.
Here’s another fun fact about Crooked Creek Farm Dairy: they maintain a full 2000-foot long runway in their farm fields that’s always open to local pilots to quite literally drop in for some ice cream! You can find their farm products all over the Thumb area, from Shelby Township up through Port Huron.
5. Calder Dairy & Farm
Location: Flat Rock
Calder Dairy and Farm operates in a few locations in Michigan: the actual farm is in Carleton, the Dairy and Store is located in Lincoln Park, and the Farm Store is in Flat Rock. Calder Dairy & Farm has a major claim to fame as one of the few dairy farms left that pays homage to the original Michigan milkmen by continuing to offer home delivery of farm-fresh milk in recyclable glass bottles.
The family farm is still run by the descendants of the original farm founder, William G.S. Calder, who bought the farm’s first milk delivery truck (a converted 12-year-old laundry truck) from his Air Force bonus. Today, his family milks 180 dairy cows to fully stock the farm’s line of homemade dairy products. To experience Calder Dairy & Farm, you can visit the farm 7 days a week, pick up your dairy products at either of the store locations, or sign up for their home milk delivery program.
6. Cloverdale Farms
Location: Scotts
Like many farmers, Cloverdale Farms does it all. The fourth-generation, family-owned farm not only raises and milks its own dairy cows, but also grows its own food for those cows. The cows are raised on a steady diet of farm-fresh alfalfa and corn to keep them healthy and producing rich milk. Their dairy herd includes Jersey, Holstein, and Brown Swiss cows. The farm also raises other cash crops and steers for beef.
Cloverdale Farms is a member of the Michigan Milk Producers Association, and you can reach out to them directly for information about obtaining their dairy products. They also offer part-time careers for anyone who has ever dreamed of working on a dairy farm.
7. Shuler Dairy Farms
Location: Baroda
Shuler Dairy Farms might just take the award for the longest-running dairy farm in Michigan, as it is now on its fifth generation. The farm seamlessly combines the old with the new, boasting a rich history as a centennial farm with modern-day amenities like a fully updated robotic milking system and tunnel ventilation for its dairy herd. You can tour the farm daily from Tuesday to Saturday for $5 and enjoy fresh ice cream.
The farm traces its roots back to 1856 when the family patriarch and blacksmith William Shuler, his wife, Bertha, and their five children arrived in America at Ellis Island. The couple’s then five-year-old son, Henry, would go on to found the original family farm with his wife, Margaret. Out of their nine children, their youngest, Grover, continued farming. Grover’s son and grandson would eventually majorly renovate and innovate to transform the family farm and keep it going to the modern dairy farm it is today.
8. De Grins Oer Dairy
Location: Blanchard
Aside from being a little in love with the farm’s name, I love the backstory of De Grins Oer Dairy: the family-owned farm started with just seven dairy cows back in 1999 and has grown to a herd of 690. The farm is so impressive in terms of management, milk production, and quality that it was awarded Michigan State University’s prestigious Dairy Farm of the Year Award in 2026.
The farm was founded by wife and husband pair Romana and Tjerk Okkema in 199. Romana first met Tjerk while on a 4H exchange trip in the Netherlands, and the couple decided to start a life together in the U.S. They focus on innovative technology and techniques for milk production, and grow their own crops on 1,800 acres. Their methods seem to be working—they produce an average of 32,230 pounds of milk and higher-than-average counts for state standards on milk fat and protein amounts.
9. SwissLane Farms
Location: Alto
As its name may suggest, SwissLane Farms has its roots in Switzerland, where its founder, Fredrick Oesch, was born. An orphan, Oesch immigrated to America in 1904 at only 16 years old and, 11 years later, purchased the 91 acres that would become SwissLane Farms. He also happened to marry a fellow Swiss, Lucy Wingeier, who became the matriarch to six children, birthing the future of the farm.
Today, the farm is run by 11 of the 35 descendants of Fredrick and Lucy who all live within two miles of the home farm. In 2015, SwissLane Farms achieved centennial status. The farm has a robot milking program, which offers $3 tours and the chance to watch baby calves be born. (Having witnessed a few calf births in my time, I can vouch it’s a very exciting experience!)
10. Horning Family Farms
Location: Manchester
Horning Family Farms is an impressive operation, with a sixth-generation family hand in running the dairy arm of the business. The Horning Family is deeply involved and dedicated to all aspects of running their farm, from living on their farm to milking their 400 dairy cows to raising crops in 800 acres of family-owned land. Many of the farm’s family attended Michigan State University, where their education and training bolstered the farm’s growth and eventual modern-day success. In fact, two of the current owners even met at the university before marrying!
The farm also supports local cooperatives, offering beef and cheese products from local farmers. You can purchase a variety of mouthwatering ice creams and meat cuts online, then pick up the goods at the self-serve fridge or freezer on site. You can also tour the farm for $3/person and see farm features like the milking facility, baby and adult cows, and farm chores.
