Where the Herd Is

Photography: HOLSTEIN ASSOCIATION USA, INC.

At Buessing Dairy in Axtell, Kan., it takes a herd to be successful — and we’re not just talking about the cows. From the early light of morning to the waning hours of evening, Roy and Patty Buessing and their six kids each have a part to play to care for their farm and their cows. And now that their two oldest sons, Christian (25) and Colton (23), are investing in the farm themselves, it’s time to take the dairy to the next level.

Where it started

In 1968, Richard Buessing, Roy’s father, established his own dairy farm after learning about the industry from his father growing up. When Richard’s two oldest sons, Roy and Roger, were ready to take over the farm in 1994, he sold his herd of 80 Holsteins, the barn and the equipment to his boys. Over the years, Roy and Roger grew their herd to 100 cows, added more acreage for farming crops and rooted their families in the values and work ethic their parents had modeled for them.

“Raising your kids on a dairy farm teaches responsibility and how to appreciate hard work and the results that come from it,” Roy says. “They learn about life and death when calves are born and, occasionally, when favorite cows are lost.”

Where it’s going

Twenty-seven years later, the third generation of Buessing Dairy, Christian and Colton, have decided to plant their roots like their dad, uncle and grandpa did before them. Since joining Roy and Roger full time on the farm, Christian and Colton have helped to nearly triple their herd size, now milking 280 Holsteins; built a new barn for their 50 calves; and have taken on more farming, in which they raise their own hay, silage and grain for the cows.

As kids, the boys and their siblings, Maryna (21), Quinn (19), Aspen (17) and Blaise (14), all pitched in to feed calves and do chores before and after school. Per Buessing tradition, each kid was gifted their own Holstein calf on their seventh birthday by their dad and uncle, bringing them along in the business and the responsibility of caring for animals. 

Since their childhood days bottle-feeding the calves before school and playing in feed piles with their cousins, Christian and Colton have known the dairy is where they wanted to be.

“I grew up seeing my family getting to work together,” Colton says. “Working on the weekends and waking up early, it’s all we know. I’ve loved growing up in the country with space to grow and family to be with. I couldn’t see myself being anywhere else.”

As time goes by, the cows, technology and farming practices may change, but there’s nothing like growing up and caring for a dairy farm with your family — where home, and the herd, is.

Merry and Bright

In the fall of 2020, communities across the United States found themselves more disconnected and disheartened than ever before. As the days grew darker, so did the COVID-19 pandemic, and we all hoped for an uplifting holiday season, even if it looked different than in years past. One dairy farm family wanted to do just that: lift their community’s spirits and bring their friends and neighbors together in a time when everyone needed it most — to find the perfect Christmas tree.

Kelly and John VanGundy had thought about opening their home and farm — VanGundy Family Farms — to their rural community in Radnor, Ohio, for years. As farmers and entrepreneurs, thinking of ways to diversify their operation comes naturally to the VanGundys — and sets their farm up for success in the future as their six children grow and become more involved. 

The journey here

When John and Kelly were married, Kelly wanted to keep two of her favorite dairy cows from her father’s herd. Farming wasn’t either of their full-time jobs at first (John worked for a swine operation and Kelly at the local hospital in addition to being a full-time mom), and John was a generation removed from his family farm. But John and Kelly slowly realized they wanted their children to grow up with the values and responsibility farming brings to a family. 

About 20 years ago, as John drove home from work, he came across a small dairy farm, milking 25 cows on a grazing operation, and stopped to talk to the owner, Sylvia. John and Kelly developed a partnership with Sylvia to lease space for milking and housing their growing herd. After a few years, Sylvia was ready to retire, and the VanGundys purchased her herd and farm to grow their own herd to 65 cows.

“People have asked us why we choose to dairy when we have the ability to do other things for a living,” Kelly says. “We always tell them, there is no other industry or area of life that can offer the same values and lessons that this small dairy farm can offer our family.” “We always tell them, there is no other industry or area of life that can offer the same values and lessons that this small dairy farm can offer our family.”

As a first-generation dairy family, the VanGundys found themselves in a world of opportunity while finding success in Sylvia’s setup. Their herd of 65 Jerseys and crossbred cows continue to graze throughout the year, just like Sylvia had done in the past, with a freestall barn available for shelter and warmth in the winter months. They run a single-six milking parlor with milking taking place in the morning and early evening each day.

When John decided to dairy full time, he also found value in diversifying their operation — planting and harvesting a variety of custom forages and managing a swine operation and nursery. 

Bringing the community together

As business owners, John and Kelly experienced firsthand the impact COVID-19 shutdowns had on small, local businesses. With a spacious barn on their homestead, Kelly had the idea to start an open market where vendors could set up shop, safely distanced outdoors, while interacting with customers and selling their products once a month. After their first open market in August 2020, the VanGundys were sold — it was the right time to try out their Christmas tree idea.

“I was at a point in my life, and with the farm, where I wanted to host more than just a farm tour,” Kelly says. “As producers, it’s very important to connect with your community on a regular basis, and here was our chance.”

Soon after, John called a Christmas tree wholesaler in northern Ohio and ordered an assortment of firs and spruces, and the VanGundys got to work preparing for the trees — and people — to arrive.

From Nov. 29 to Dec. 12, people from all around the community came to the VanGundys’ market and tree lot — dubbed The Dairy on Fulton Creek — to pick out the perfect Christmas tree and support their local small businesses. In addition to selling Christmas trees, the VanGundys hosted a holiday open house one weekend, featuring a visit from Santa Claus, hayrack rides, hot chocolate (made with real milk, of course) and Christmas cookies, and held a story time in the barn the next weekend featuring a live Nativity scene, including dairy cows.

All is dairy and bright

With such success in 2020, the VanGundys are looking forward to a holly, jolly Christmas tree season this year as well. Over the past year, they’ve continued their monthly open market, allowing local vendors to continue growing and expanding their businesses.

While the open market and Christmas trees were a fun way to get through a difficult economic time and dark winter, the VanGundys know the true meaning of the holiday season — and are grateful for the time it allowed them to spend together.

“The ability to allow our community to come in and see what we do on our farm was a big gain for us,” Kelly says. “But more than anything, everyone in our family was on board for the Christmas trees and open house from the beginning, and getting to spend the holiday season together as a family, creating a fun experience for others, made Christmas extra special.”

Embracing the Cold

Every living being prepares for the onset of winter differently. Some animals hibernate; others migrate; still others learn to adapt. We humans do too. Some of us prefer to escape, others to snuggle in. When you choose to embrace the cold, the unexpected can happen. Instead of suffering through, we welcome the good the cold can bring — from extra time to cuddle our loved ones to enjoying the comforts of hot, filling dishes and drinks made even more delicious by chilly temperatures. We slow down, recharge and await the new life being breathed into the Earth. 

Winter is a time of anticipation, for excitement. We surrender some control, knowing Mother Nature will do as she pleases. But it’s during harsher weather when true memories are made. Winter is for the wonder and nostalgia of waking up to a bright, tranquil world covered in snow and icicles, only to stay home and make snowmen and enjoy the comforts only a steaming mug of hot chocolate can bring. 

Winter is also a time of gathering. When the outside air starts to bite, we naturally take shelter, turning to our homes for warmth and company. Often, gravitating toward our kitchens to find more than just sustenance, but
comfort and entertainment as well. Whether it’s an easy weeknight dinner with our families, a romantic dinner for two or a long, weekend baking project just for you, winter is the time to adopt a slower pace and indulge
in all things delicious.

We must not forget the beauty present in those peaceful, frigid days and nights, or the people who make them possible. Dairy farmers work tirelessly — no matter the temperatures — to supply our families with the nourishing dairy that make our favorite dishes come to life. Next time you indulge in a creamy dessert, buttery pasta or cheesy soup, take a moment to appreciate the hardworking families who have nobly made it their life’s mission to feed the world — all while embracing the cold.