MEET THE YOUNG FARMERS DRIVING THE FUTURE OF DAIRY FARMING

At Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), the future of dairy farming starts on family farms, and increasingly, with young farmers stepping into leadership roles on their operations and making everyday decisions that help shape the dairy we enjoy. This new generation of leaders are passionate about producing high-quality milk, caring for their land and animals, and finding new and efficient ways to do it. Their dedication helps ensure you can feel good about the dairy you’re enjoying.  

At a time when people are more curious than ever about where their food comes from, how animals are treated on the farm, and what sustainability really looks like, young farmers in agriculture are stepping forward with fresh perspectives and a deep sense of responsibility. 

Shaped by those who came before them, DFA’s young farmer-owners bring a unique perspective to the future of dairy farming. They’re blending generational leadership with new ways of thinking about animal care and environmental stewardship. For them, innovation in agriculture is about using the right tools, data, and practices to make better decisions for their cows, their communities, and the people they feed at home and around the world. 

As a farmer-owned cooperative, DFA is here for dairy farmers in all walks of life, including young farmers. Our Cooperative supports farm families’ livelihoods and helps ensure they can continue their legacies for the next generation.  

YOUNG FARMERS ARE BUILDING FARMS MEANT TO LAST

Young dairy farmers are building the future of dairy farming through responsible animal care and sustainable dairy farming practices, making decisions designed to keep their farms strong for generations, advocating for dairy, and actively engaging with their communities. They're innovative, business-minded, and blend a strong sense of tradition with a modern, tech-savvy approach.  

Some are continuing multigenerational family operations, taking over their family farms or working alongside their parents and grandparents. Others are first-generation dairy farmers, entering the agriculture industry through education, mentorship, or hands-on experience. 

Today’s young farmers do a little bit of everything — from daily milking, feeding, and calf raising, to crop management, equipment maintenance, business administration, running the farms’ social media pages, and more. In fact, many young farmers were once just farm kids who ran around the dairy helping mom, dad, grandma, or grandpa. It’s that deep-rooted responsibility and tradition that grow farm kids into professionals, leading the future of dairy. 

What unites these young farmers isn’t age, background, or role, but a shared commitment to building farms that can succeed for decades to come. 

GET TO KNOW SOME OF TODAY’S YOUNG DAIRY FARMERS 

At DFA, there are many faces of our farmer-owners. Here are just a few young farmers shaping the future of dairy farming. 

WYBRAND VANDER DUSSEN

Wybrand Vander Dussen, a DFA farmer-owner in La Salle, Colo., stepped into the role of leading his family farm through unexpected circumstances. Following the death of his father, he didn’t hesitate to carry the family dairy forward.  

Since taking over, Wybrand has focused on growth and thoughtful innovation. He has integrated new tools to improve efficiency and cow comfort, including rubber flooring and health-monitoring collars. 

WILLIAM WALLESER 

William Walleser, a DFA farmer-owner at Wall-Stone Holsteins in De Soto, Wis., was named one of Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s 35 Under 35 in 2025, earning top recognition in the sustainable environment category for his leadership in conservation, innovation, and community involvement. 

On the farm, the Walleser family uses sustainable dairy farming practices such as cover crops and no-till planting to protect soil health. William also supports waterway restoration through the Hill Country Watershed Alliance, a local organization that strives to improve and restore soil, water, and air in their community. William serves as a founding member and treasurer.  

He says he’s hopeful for the future of his farm and the dairy industry.  

“There’s a lot of noise out there about what farming should or shouldn’t be. But the future is bright if we stay open, stay curious, and keep doing the work,” he says. 

LILY ANDERSEN

Lily Andersen spends most of her time caring for her family’s cows on Skattum-Andersen Ranch in Livingston, Mont., on top of raising children, and running multiple businesses.  

Although it’s never easy to get away from the farm, it’s important to Lily to represent herself and her fellow farmer-owners when she can, and she does this each year as a delegate for DFA. Being a DFA delegate is an important part of our Cooperative’s grassroots governance process. Elected by her fellow farmer-owners, Lily represents farmers in her Area, voting on issues that affect dairy operations, and encouraging others to share the importance of dairy farming. 

Lily and her husband, Kyle, are raising the fifth generation of Andersen dairy farmers and are passionate about protecting the future of dairy farming for their daughters. 

YOUNG FARMERS ARE USING MODERN TOOLS AND TIME-TESTED CARE 

Innovation is changing dairy farming by helping young farmers find ways to do more with fewer resources. Young farmers approach innovation as a mindset. The goal isn’t technology for technology’s sake — it’s using information wisely to improve animal care, resource efficiency, and long-term sustainability. 

Across the dairy industry, young farmers are integrating data and smart systems to support more efficient, profitable, and sustainable farms.  

SO, HOW IS INNOVATION CHANGING DAIRY FARMING TODAY?

• Health monitoring tools help identify subtle changes in cow behavior, allowing farmers to react and respond to their animals’ needs sooner
• Feed efficiency data helps farmers make adjustments to their herd’s meals that support health and production while minimizing waste. These practices may be enabled by AI or analytics, but the impact is felt in calmer herds, more consistent production, and more responsible use of resources
• Precision tools help young farmers in agriculture apply nutrients to crops only where and when they’re needed, reducing runoff and supporting soil health
• Tracking and optimizing water usage conserves resources without compromising cleanliness or animal comfort. In fact, water is recycled on a dairy farm up to four times on average
• Carbon-smart farming practices — like improved manure management and renewable energy—help lower dairy farms’ environmental footprint

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP THROUGH A MODERN LENS

For generations, dairy farmers have cared for their land with an eye toward the future — because in agriculture, sustainability is a way of life. Young farmers are continuing that legacy, building on the practices their parents and grandparents put in place to protect soil, water, and natural resources. 

When young farmers implement regenerative agriculture techniques or take steps to conserve water, they’re carrying forward a long-standing commitment to stewardship. These efforts strengthen the land dairy farmers depend on and help ensure a food supply families can feel confident in today and trust for years to come. 

So, what does sustainability in dairy farming mean for you? In short, it brings more consistency and quality to dairy products, giving you peace of mind in how the milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products you serve your family are sourced. 

At its core, innovation in agriculture is really about stewardship. Smart tools are there to help — not replace — the care, judgment, and responsibility farmers, both young and old, bring to their work every day.  

By leaning into that balance, the next generation of dairy farmers is making decisions that are good for their farms, their animals, and the families who enjoy the food they produce. 

WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOUNG DAIRY FARMERS FACE TODAY?

Young dairy farmers are stepping into an industry that’s both rewarding and demanding, and the path isn’t always easy. Today’s young farmers must navigate everything from unpredictable markets and rising costs to labor shortages, ever-changing regulations, and unpredictable weather. 

But the challenges aren’t just financial or operational. Some young farmers are first-generation producers, learning the ropes without the benefit of generations of family experience. Others are working alongside siblings and managing family dynamics in addition to the demands of dairying. What unites them is a willingness to go the extra mile, compromise with one another when needed, and keep their eyes on building a farm that can thrive for decades to come. 

Nicholas and Renae Degraaf are young DFA farmer-owners and siblings who work side by side on their family’s third-generation dairy. 

“It takes a lot to be in the industry,” Nicholas says. “You have to be willing to go the extra mile and meet in the middle sometimes. It’s hard when you want to do it your way. But it’s important to be open to your siblings’ opinions and ideas because they do matter just as much as yours.” 

For Austin Waldroup, a first-generation farmer and DFA farmer-owner in LaGrange, Ga., there was no family dairy to carry forward. Just a dream he shared with his older brother.  

“I grew up in the cattle business,” Austin says. “My dad, brothers, and I ran a herd of beef cows, and I’m grateful for those roots. But there was something different about dairy. My brother, Lucas, and I also worked on a neighboring dairy farm and dreamed of being dairy farmers together one day.” 

When Lucas passed away, Austin’s drive became even stronger.  

“Being at the barn felt like being close to him again,” he says. “It felt right.” 

When the brothers’ former boss called Austin during his freshman year of college and asked if he’d be interested in buying out his dairy, Austin was faced with a big decision.  

“For a first-generation farmer, that kind of opportunity carries tremendous risk,” he says. “But I took the leap of faith, and thankfully, I have been with DFA since the very beginning of our operation.” 

He took over the operation in 2015 and today milks 80 cows. When forging his way in a relatively unfamiliar industry, the stability provided by DFA has been critical to Austin’s early years. 

“DFA goes above and beyond,” Austin says. “They make sure we have what we need, no matter the time of day.” 

Austin hopes that his four children will carry on the legacy that he started for them, and in honor of their uncle. 

“The dairy industry isn’t easy,” he says. “It never has been. But I believe in it. I believe in hard work, and I believe in community.” 

HOW DFA SUPPORTS THE NEXT GENERATION OF DAIRY FARMERS 

DFA was built by dairy farmers working together. That’s why we’re proud to stand behind our farmer-owners, especially those just starting out.  

WE BRING VALUE TO OUR YOUNG FARMER-OWNERS WITH VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND BENEFITS LIKE:

• Securing a market they can count on for their milk
• Investing in innovative products and manufacturing capabilities to ensure a consistent market for their milk
• Supporting them with farm services and farmer‑owner programs and benefits that help them run their farms more efficiently and profitably
• Our Gold Standard Dairy Program supports our farmer-owners in animal care, workforce development, caring for the land, and delivering consistent milk quality
• Because DFA is farmer-owned, every farmer has a voice, from choices that impact their own farm, and the dairy industry as a whole. With hundreds of ways to get involved in our grassroots governance, our farmer-owners ensure that the Cooperative is collectively working toward our mission, vision, and values

Wybrand was recently awarded Young Milk Producer of the Year from MILK Business, and credits DFA’s support as a key part of his success. 

“There are so many opportunities to help us run our businesses well,” he says. “From creating avenues to market our milk, to offering risk management, and the strong relationships we share as farmers.”  

Lily agrees. “Being a DFA farmer-owner has given our family the comfort of knowing our milk will always have a home,” she says. “We can focus on raising our family, caring for our herd, and ensuring the legacy of Montana dairy lasts for generations to come.” 

LEARNING TOGETHER, GROWING AS LEADERS

DFA’s Young Cooperator (YC) program, designed for farmers ages 18–45, creates space to learn, ask questions, and grow — both personally and professionally. Through meetings, networking opportunities with peers, and industry partners, young farmers gain insight into ideas shaping dairy today while building relationships that last. 

Most importantly, the YC program helps young farmers find their voice. By learning from one another and getting involved beyond the farm, they’re stepping into leadership roles feeling empowered and prepared. 

HOW ARE YOUNG FARMERS SHAPING THE FUTURE OF DAIRY FARMING?

The truth is that the future of dairy farming is in the hands of young farmers — ones that bring equal parts tradition and innovation to every decision they make. 

Together, they’re building farms designed to last and helping shape the future of dairy farming, with support from DFA and our cooperative model that puts farmers first. With the right support, relationships, and shared commitment, these young farmer-owners are creating a dairy industry that works for families today and for generations to come. 

So, the next time you pour a glass of milk, slice a block of cheese, or scoop up some ice cream from a DFA farmer-owned brand, take a moment to think about the people behind it. Chances are, it’s a young farmer showing up every day, doing the work, and bringing fresh thinking to a tradition that feeds us all. 

See more real-life examples of how the next generation of farmer-owners are carrying on their legacies by following DFA on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.