A New Chapter for an Old Farm: Wildeboer Dairy brings raw A2 milk to Lennox
For 100 years, the Wildeboer family has farmed the land south of Lennox. Today, Johnathan Wildeboer represents the third generation to work that ground and raise cattle there — and this summer, he and his family added a new chapter to the farm’s story by launching Wildeboer Dairy.
Johnathan and his wife, Stephanie, are raising five children — Effie, Abbie, Katelyn, Jack and Tyler — all of whom have a hand in some part of the operation, from crop production and planting to harvest and daily chores. It’s a true family affair, and one that recently grew to include Johnathan’s sister, Julie, who returned to South Dakota a few years ago and helped spark the idea to bring milking back to the farm.
Milking cows was once a regular part of the Wildeboer farm’s operations, up until the 1990s. With Julie’s return, the family decided the time was right to start again — but with a fresh approach. This time, the cows are raised on a non-GMO feed source, and the milk is offered unpasteurized, as A2 raw milk.
Raw milk is milk that hasn’t been pasteurized, meaning the cream naturally rises to the top of the bottle. The “A2” refers to the type of beta-casein protein the milk contains. Cows produce milk with either A1 or A2 beta-casein, and most conventional milk on grocery store shelves is a blend of both. Wildeboer Dairy’s cows produce pure A2 milk, which many people find easier to digest — particularly those with a milk intolerance.
Because the milk is also raw and unprocessed, some customers who normally can’t tolerate dairy have found they can enjoy it without issue.
“We take a lot of pride in providing a healthy, nutrient-dense raw milk product for our family and our customers,” the Wildeboers said. “Seeing people who normally couldn’t enjoy milk find that they can drink ours with no problems has been one of the most rewarding parts of this whole venture.”
Quality and freshness start in the parlor. The Wildeboers milk their cows using a pipeline system, plate cooler and bulk tank, and within 15 minutes of milking, the milk is chilled to 40 degrees.
Wildeboer Dairy currently offers half-gallons of whole milk, half-gallons of low-fat milk, and quarts of cream.
Customers can purchase milk directly through the farm’s website, wildeboerdairy.com, by clicking the “Buy Milk” link and following the instructions to place an order. Once an order is placed, customers can pick up their milk at the farm any day of the week between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Because keeping milk cold is key to preserving its freshness, the Wildeboers recommend bringing a cooler with cold packs for the trip home.
Like many new ventures, one of the biggest hurdles for Wildeboer Dairy hasn’t been production — it’s been visibility. “Some of our biggest challenges have been letting our consumers know that we’re available,” the family said. Community events, word of mouth, and now efforts like the farm’s upcoming grand opening are all part of spreading the news that a new, locally raised product is on the market.
The public is invited to get a firsthand look at the operation during Wildeboer Dairy’s grand opening event on Sunday, September 27, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the farm, located at 46687 282nd St., Lennox, SD 57039.
Visitors can sample the A2 raw milk, enjoy a cookie, tour the milking parlor, and meet the farm’s Jersey cows and their calves up close.
“We’re excited to have the chance to offer a quality product that hasn’t been offered locally before,” the Wildeboer family said. “We can’t wait to meet you all and share our story with you.”
For more information or to place an order, visit wildeboerdairy.com.