Schulte Dairy: Value-Added Grant Recipients 2022-2023

SCHULTE DAIRY
Austin and Jenna Schulte

Austin and Jenna Schulte are third generation owners of a family dairy farm that was started by Austin’s great-grandfather in 1938. Austin and Jenna purchased the farm, which is located near Norway, in 2010 and have grown the herd from 65 to 170 cows. The Schultes are good stewards of their land and other natural resources. They strive to decrease erosion and runoff by planting cover crops and through manure management with the USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

The Schulte’s Choose Iowa grant project will enhance on-farm dairy processing of fluid milk into cheese that they began in 2022. The Schulte's will decrease their herd to 110 cows and remodel a barn into a cheese making facility, in which they will make various flavors of cheese in the form of cheese curds, individual “grab and go” cheese cubes/sticks, and shredded cheese. This will add value to their fluid milk and expand their product offerings.

Austin and Jenna expect the project will increase dairy and creamery sales and customers. The Schultes are striving to build a strong family business and legacy that will continue to produce high quality dairy products for local consumers and be sustainable for future generations.

A group of adults and kids stands around calf pens on a sunny, snowy day.
The Schultes value the education of Iowa agriculture and their dairy farm. They offer many farm tours to teach people about how their dairy operations and their products are produced.
A little girl stands in front of some dairy cows eating from a trough.
The Schultes hold animal care as a top priority on their farm.
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