At Hildebrand Farms Dairy in Junction City, the cream really does rise to the top. This family-owned operation offers more than just dairy products; it provides a taste of Kansas’s rich agricultural heritage and a glimpse into the future of sustainable, local food production.
Since Arnold Hildebrand obtained his first permit to sell milk on September 15, 1930, this working dairy farm has been a family-owned staple. Today the farm is run by the third generation of Hildebrands: brothers David and Alan and their wives, Kathy and Mary.
Mary gave me a tour of their farm and told me its story. It’s a tale of perseverance, innovation, and a deep commitment to quality, and it began with a bouquet of edelweiss.
Meet Hildebrand Farms Dairy
A Swiss Love Story: The Dairy’s Origins
In the 1920s, a young woman named Rosa left her home in Zurich and sailed across the Atlantic to America. She found work as a babysitter, leaving behind a suitor named Arnold.
Arnold, however, wasn’t content to let the Atlantic Ocean come between them. Instead, he sold his sailboat so he could book passage to come to America.
It’s the kind of romantic gesture usually reserved for movies, but Arnold wasn’t finished. When he arrived in America, he proposed to Rosa with a bouquet of edelweiss that he had picked in the Swiss mountains before his journey.
“We still have that all pressed in a little frame,” Mary said.
The young couple eventually made their way to Kansas, settling in Junction City in the late 1920s. It was here that Arnold started a small dairy, laying the foundation for what would become Hildebrand Farms Dairy.
This Swiss-American love story set in motion a family legacy that has endured for nearly a century.
From those humble beginnings, with Arnold and Rosa milking a small herd of cows, the Hildebrand dairy has grown into a local institution, known for its quality products and commitment to educating the public about dairy farming.
Related: see what Junction City was like when the Hildebrands arrived with a visit to the Geary County Historical Society
Family Legacy
The small dairy started by Arnold and Rosa grew, nurtured by the hard work and dedication of subsequent generations. Their son Carl, along with his wife Margaret, took over the operation in the mid-20th century, ushering in a new era of growth and innovation.
In the 1970s, Carl and Margaret faced a pivotal decision that many family farms encounter: expand or sell. They chose to expand, moving the dairy operation to its current location and building a new milking parlor in 1974.
Margaret, in particular, played a crucial role in keeping the farm going. “Really, she’s the matriarch,” Mary said. “I always tell people and I tell the family, if grandma hadn’t stuck it out, we would not have been here.”
At 97 years old, Margaret still drives out to the farm daily to check on operations.
Carl and Margaret’s sons, Alan and Dave, continued to build on their parents’ legacy. Mary remembered the early days:
“When I first got married {in 1988}, I think they were milking 60 cows, 70 cows. And I remember when we reached 100, that was a big milestone.”
Today, the farm milks about 135 to 150 cows. The herd has grown, but the Hildebrand’s commitment to quality and family values remains unchanged.
As with many family businesses, the next generation is already involved. Mary and Alan’s two oldest children work on the farm, and Dave and Kathy’s daughter and son are also part of the operation. This involvement of the younger generation ensures that the Hildebrand legacy will continue well into the future.
“We hope it’s a legacy that continues long after we’re gone,” Mary said.
The Hildebrand story is more than just a tale of a successful business; it’s a narrative of family perseverance, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to their craft.
Related: discover Junction City’s impressive growth
Expansion and Modernization
As the new millennium approached, the Hildebrand family once again found themselves at a crossroads. The dairy industry was changing rapidly, and small family farms were becoming increasingly rare.
“There used to be many dairies in this county alone,” Mary said, “and now I believe we’re the only dairy in the county.”
Faced with the choice to expand or sell, the Hildebrands chose a bold path forward. In the early 2000s, they decided to not only continue dairy farming but to venture into processing and bottling their own milk products.
This decision wasn’t made lightly. Mary and Alan, along with Dave and his wife Kathy, visited small creameries around the country, gleaning what they could from their experiences. What they found was both enlightening and sobering.
“We started traveling and going to all these little creameries, you know, and just kind of doing our own research. And it’s crazy because everyone we asked, would you do this again? Oh, no. We would not do this again.”
Despite the cautionary tales, the Hildebrands pressed on. They had a feasibility study conducted, which showed promise for their venture. They also had a track record of quality to build upon – when selling their milk to larger companies like Blue Bunny, they consistently ranked in the top 5% for low bacteria counts.
The expansion included building a new processing plant and bottling facility on the farm. This allowed them to control the entire process from cow to consumer, ensuring the highest quality at every step.
It wasn’t an easy transition. As Mary put it, “You just have to have faith, and it just becomes your way of life, actually.” The learning curve was steep, and the work was demanding, but their persistence paid off.
They secured contracts with major grocery chains like Kroger (operating as Dillons in Kansas) and expanded their reach across the state. They also opened a farm store, allowing them to sell directly to consumers and offer a wider range of products.
Today, Hildebrand Farms Dairy is a model of a successful, modern family dairy operation. They’ve managed to grow and adapt while staying true to their roots and maintaining the quality that has been their hallmark for generations.
As Mary reflected on their path, she said with a mix of pride and humility, “We were fools, and we did it.” But their “foolishness” has resulted in a thriving business that not only produces excellent dairy products but also preserves a way of life and educates the public about the importance of local agriculture.
Farm to Table: Hildebrand’s Product Line
Hildebrand Farms Dairy offers a diverse range of products that showcase the quality of their milk. Their staples include whole milk, 2% milk, skim, and chocolate milk, but they don’t stop there.
They also produce strawberry milk and a unique root beer milk that Mary described as “think of a root beer float, but the ice cream is melted in.” If you think that sounds delicious, you’d be right.
One of their standout products is their creamline milk. Mary explained its benefits:
“We have had several people come back to me, friends and strangers alike, and say, ‘You know, I can’t have dairy, but I can drink your creamline milk.’”
Their seasonal offerings include a much-anticipated eggnog available from October through early January. They’ve also ventured into ice cream production and hand-churn their own butter, a labor-intensive process that Mary estimated takes about 30 minutes per jar.
All of these products are bottled in glass, which not only keeps the milk cooler but also eliminates any plastic taste, and waste.
Community Engagement and Education
For the Hildebrands, running a dairy isn’t just about producing milk—it’s about educating the public and engaging with their community. They offer tours of their facility, allowing visitors to see the entire process from milking to bottling.
Their annual Fall Festival, held in October, is a customer appreciation event that draws thousands of visitors. “People come and stay the entire day, which just blows our mind,” Mary says. The festival includes food trucks, live music, free tours, and activities for children.
They also participate in June Dairy Month with special events and promotions, and have even hosted yoga classes on the farm.
Looking to the Future
Despite their success, the Hildebrands aren’t content to rest on their laurels. Mary dreams of expanding their educational offerings:
“One of our dreams, well, my dream, I’d love to have a venue or a place where people could rent out. And I have visions of having a kitchen area… do a cooking demonstration.”
They’re also considering venturing into cheese production, though Mary acknowledges the challenges: “That’s a whole ‘nother set of equipment and everything. And finding a cheese maker is difficult.”
Whatever the future holds, the Hildebrands remain committed to their core values of quality, education, and family. They continue to innovate while honoring their Swiss-American roots.
From Arnold’s bouquet of edelweiss to the glass bottles of milk on store shelves today, Hildebrand Farms Dairy embodies the American dream—a story of immigration, hard work, and family dedication.
It’s a place where visitors can not only taste some of the best dairy products Kansas has to offer but also connect with a rich agricultural heritage that continues to thrive in the heart of America.
So the next time you’re in Junction City, stop by Hildebrand Farms Dairy. Pick up a bottle of cream-line milk and products from local makers, savor their homemade ice cream, or join a tour to learn about modern dairy farming.
You’ll be participating in a legacy nearly a century in the making—and tasting the difference that dedication makes.
Hildebrand Farms Dairy
5210 Rucker Rd
Junction City, KS 66441
(785)238-8029
hildebrandfarmsdairy.com
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