Willow Creek Farm
Deichmann Family
Belmont, NY
- 2000 STARTED WITH US
- 120 COWS IN HERD
- 1,100 ACRES
Willow Creek Farm has always welcomed innovation. It was the first organic dairy in the U.S. to install robotic milkers in 2007. The farm takes part in our Regenerative Agriculture Program and has installed solar panels, LED lighting in the barn, and improved their water quality. The Deichmanns also have a no-till tillage system and are exploring manure management techniques.
Fair Family Farms
Lucas Waugerman
Manns Choice, PA
- 2007 STARTED WITH US
- 85 COWS IN HERD
- 388 ACRES
Fair Family Farms is a ninth-generation family farm. The farm has been in the same family since 1812. Lucas Waugerman, who helps manage and run the farm now, received our HOPE Scholarship three times during his education in agriculture management at Pennsylvania State University. Fair Family Farms joined our Regenerative Agriculture Program in 2021. “Being more efficient; improving ways of working; striving to do things better are critical,” says Lucas. “Being a part of the regen ag journey allows me to quantify areas of efficiency and work on areas that can be improved upon.”
Nature Ridge Organic Dairy
Riley Smith & Kevin Schroeder
American Falls, ID
- 2019 STARTED WITH US
- 2,700 COWS IN HERD
- 4,600 ACRES
Nature Ridge Organic Dairy (NROD for short) is located in an area called the Raft River Basin, which was designated a Critical Groundwater Management Area back in 1963, due to the decline of the flow of the river and the aquifer water levels. To adhere to water conservation efforts, NROD installed a Green Flush Water Recycling System and flow meters that save about 40,000 gallons of water each day. These projects, along with updated manure applicators and cover crops, are a part of our Regenerative Agriculture Program. Kevin Schroeder’s two sons, Travis and Tanner, are both past HOPE Scholarship Recipients with a passion for bringing their education and skills back to the farm and agricultural community.
Quint-S Farms
Fred Hartzler
Ashland, OH
- 2010 STARTED WITH US
- 75 COWS IN HERD
- 500 ACRES
The Hartzler family has been farming since John Quincy Adams was president—for eleven generations so far. Fred’s daughter, Shila, is a 4-time HOPE Scholarship Recipient and is studying public relations and strategic communications to advocate for agriculture and dairy farms at Ashland University. Quint-S Farm takes part in our Regenerative Agriculture Program. “Sustainability means to me to be better stewards to the land and animals. Biodiversity is also a key component of sustainability,” according to Fred. “I’m excited to enter the regenerative agricultural program to assist me with ways to be more efficient and to improve my farm.”
Fair Hill Farms
Matt & Megan Fry
Chestertown, MD
- 2017 STARTED WITH US
- 900 COWS IN HERD
- 1,700 ACRES
The Fry family has been dairying in Maryland for six generations. Fair Hill Farms has prioritized regenerative agriculture practices by investing in new technology for their farm. In late 2019, they purchased a roller crimper, which helps to improve their cover crops and no-tillage efforts. The Frys are a participant in the regenerative agriculture Program and are also experimenting with no-till weed control methods like the weed zapper, which uses an electric current to get rid of weeds.
Zimba Dairy
Ed & Melanie Zimba
Deford, Michigan
- 1999 STARTED WITH US
- 1,300 COWS IN HERD
- 3,700 ACRES
As a second-generation farmer, Ed Zimba decided to transition his farm from conventional to organic in the 1990s as he learned more about soil health and its impact on the health of his cattle and his customers. Zimba Dairy incorporates two dairies, both of which are certified under the American Grassfed Association (AGA). As a participant in our Regenerative Agriculture Program, Zimba Dairy built a covered manure storage building and purchased manure composting equipment. The composted manure is then utilized as fertilizer for the field that grows feed for the cows.
