(785) 238-8029
5210 Rucker Rd Junction City, Kansas
ABOUT US

OUR STORY

THE HILDEBRAND STORY

In the 1920’s Arnold Hildebrand moved from Switzerland to Kansas City, MO to work as a machinist with the Union Pacific Railroad. A few years later he married his sweetheart from back home, Rose. They then moved to Junction City, KS with the railroad. Wanting to earn more for their growing family, Arnold and Rose started a small hobby farm. On February 15, 1930 Arnold received a permit to sell milk in Junction City, KS. Remnants of the farm can still be seen from what is now Spring Valley Road. Arnold and Rose had seven children, six girls and one boy, Carl Hildebrand.

FAMILY TRADITION

When Carl was in high school, Arnold and Rose purchased 120 acres further west of Junction City, on what is now Rucker Road. When Carl married in 1949, the farm was passed to him and his new wife Margaret. Carl and Margaret had four children: Karen, David, Alan and Wayne. Their sons showed interest in continuing the legacy of the farm. So in 1975, Carl and Margaret took out a loan and built a new dairy barn, grain storage system and two new free stalls a quarter mile west of their homestead. Hildebrand Farms, Inc. was born. Today, Hildebrand Farms, Inc. is owned and operated by David Hildebrand, his wife Kathy, Alan Hildebrand, and his wife Mary. Over the years, buildings have been added and land has been purchased with the goal to create a fully sustainable farm. Hildebrand Farms, Inc. produces most of the feed needed for their cows. With the success of the farming and dairy operation, the idea of further expansion was discussed. In 2006, the Hildebrand Family began exploring the idea of an on-site bottling plant. After an extensive feasibility study, they moved forward with the on-site plant and in September, 2008 the plant was officially in action. Currently, Hildebrand Farms Dairy has seven varieties of milk in more than 120 stores throughout Kansas.

A BETTER WAY

It all began with the idea of making a better life for our family with four milk cows, and the door-to-door selling of milk in glass bottles. It has now grown to an average of 150 cows and our milk sold in 120 stores throughout Kansas, once again, in glass bottles. It’s literally how our grandparents used to do it.

MEET THE FAMILY

David and Alan Hildebrand are brothers and co-owners, along with their wives, of Hildebrand Farms, Inc. They have lived and worked on the farm since they were big enough to carry a bucket and are responsible for what the dairy is today.

 

David and Alan farm over 2,000 acres, raising the majority of the feed for our herd of Holsteins. David’s emphasis and passion is the farming operation and working the land. Alan's emphasis is on the cattle and the processing aspects of the operation. They both work tirelessly, throughout all aspects of the farming operation, to keep the farm up to the standards we feel make it a quality business.

 

David and his wife Kathy have been married since 1973. Kathy is the office and on-farm store manager. She also does all the books for the farm. They have two children. Their oldest, Julie is the accounts receivable manager and office administrative assistant. She also works in the on-farm store. Their son, Tod, manages the milk barn and serves as co-herdsman.

 

Alan and his wife Mary have been married since 1988. Mary is a full-time fourth grade teacher at Garfield Elementary School in Abilene, KS. She is also a certified lab technician and does all of our lab work. They have three children. Their oldest, Melissa, is the plant and marketing manager and the go-to gal for the stores. Their son, Jake, serves as the co-herdsman and feeds the cows in addition to taking care of the heifers. Adam, their youngest son, is currently studying at Hutchinson Community College.
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