KASHOME HOLSTEINS

Dairy farms have been disappearing from the rural landscape for many years. But Kashome Holsteins located east of Medford has been thriving for decades with no plans of letting up.

Kashome Holsteins is operated by Scott and Dawn Kasper and their sons, Patrick and Derrick. Scott’s father, Darwin Kasper, just retired a year ago at 79 but still lives on the farm.

For years the Kaspers operated one of about 200 dairy farms in Steele County. Today they are one of only 12 left with two more planning to go out of business by the end of the year.

“We’re blessed that our boys wanted to do this,” said Dawn, noting they are the only dairy farm left in Medford Township.

The Kaspers milk about 240 dairy cows in a free-stall barn, along with raising young calves. They also operate 850 acres of corn, soybeans and alfalfa.

The century farm has been in the family since 1898. Patrick and Derrick have joined their parents to become the sixth generation to farm. “If they had not chosen to come back, Kashome Holsteins would have become a memory,” Dawn said.

Dawn admits it has been a learning experience for Scott and herself learning new ways and techniques from their sons. “Some of their ways have made the cows healthier,” she said.

The Kaspers concede that making transitions from one generation to another in farming has become harder with new regulations, taxes, inheritance, payroll and social security. Despite the obstacles, they have found a way to keep going.

“Maybe their kids will be the seventh, we’ll see how it goes,” said Dawn, referring to her grandchildren, Adelline Grace, Witt and Bodhi, who are all under 5 years old.

On Saturday, the family will open their farm to the public for the Steele County American Dairy Association’s annual Breakfast on the Farm. The event will feature a waffle breakfast from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., along with kids’ activities and farm tours. Some neighbors are also organizing a display of old tractors.

This will be the second time the Kaspers have hosted the dairy event with the last time being in 2005.

The family is excited to show off their operation to the estimated 1,200 people who usually show up for the breakfast. “We want them to see how a dairy farm operates,” Derrick said, noting it’s educational for consumers to see where their butter and cheese comes from. “Your milk just doesn’t come from the store. It takes a lot of work to get that far,” he added.

“We want people to stay connected to know how agriculture is important in Steele County,” said Scott. “It’s nice for people to get out to remember agriculture is a big part of what they eat on their table.”

More than 5 million pounds of milk is produced annually at Kashome Holsteins. Their milk is shipped to First District located in central Minnesota community of Litchfield. Each cow produces about 80 pounds of milk per day, according to Scott. A pair of 10-year-old cows are still milking after producing more than 200,000 pounds each of milk.

Milk prices continue to be one of the greatest challenges in dairy farming, the family said. Currently the base price is $14.99 per hundredweight. Two years ago, milk brought the Kaspers around $26.

“Dairy farming in general is legalized gambling,” Dawn said. “We have to take the highs with the lows. It’s better to always look on the positive side,” she added.

The Kaspers milk the cows twice a day beginning at 5:30 a.m. and again at 4 p.m. Milking usually takes about three hours each time. They split up the duties amongst the four of them. “It’s a team effort,” Dawn says.

With Darwin and Barb having special interest in genetics, there has been a rich history of top dairy at Kashome Holsteins. They tried to develop the perfect cow and came about as close as anyone can. About 30 years ago the Kaspers bred “Kashome Belle Jurist,” who became one of the top worldwide bulls for production and type.

“Darwin worked hard to have the genetics to carry us through,” Scott said.

The family wants people to know how much they care about their animals. “Ninety-nine percent of the time, we put our animals before ourselves,” said Dawn.

Added Derrick, “We work with a nutritionist to get the feed they need to be sound and healthy. We are producing a healthy product, it’s not sugar.”

The Kaspers enjoy working together as a family. Besides keeping the farm going, Scott and Dawn enjoy spending time with their boys as well as the grandchildren. “I enjoy that my kids are around, and I get to spend a lot of time with the grandkids,” Dawn said, adding both of their sons live within a mile of the home place.

Scott chuckles about how he met Dawn, a city girl from Owatonna. He recalled how she showed up on one of their first dates in a dress in the cow barn. She was ready to go while he was still milking. Guess who won out? The date had to wait until Scott was done milking.

Dawn said she knew nothing about farming when she first met Scott. Now she is an equal partner in the operation.

“It has been a blessing,” she said. “We are thankful for everything we have and work hard.”

Breakfast on the Farm

Who: Kashome Holsteins

What: July Dairy Month celebration

Where: 2672 NE 69^th St., Medford

When: Saturday- 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Other: Free transportation available from Steele County Fairgrounds