Double D Dairy (Rick Daniel Dairy)

Our 180 acre farm is rich in history. The original farm (396 acres) was cleared in 1849 by Hugh Lee and used primarily as a sheep farm. Our bank barn was built by Mr. Lee in 1849 and still stands today. The farm then passed hands a couple more times (including a family who raised ducks) before it was purchased by Hugh Lee's grandson, Bill Lee, in 1954. Bill then built the present day silo (1958), house (1964), parlor (1964), milk house (1964), and heifer barn (1968). Bill milked Holstein cows in a stanchion parlor (now the "kitty house") and then a side open window parlor (still used today). Eighty acres of the farm was sold in 1984 to Danny and Carla Zeigler, who used it as a Quarter Horse farm. They converted the heifer barn into a stable and built a riding arena in 1986 (now the machine shed). In 1989 the farm passed hands, this time to Rick and Kim Daniel. Rick and Kim moved cows in on January 12th, 1990 and have milked cows at the farm ever since. The farm was systematically tiled in 1990. In 1993, the cow barn was built. Rick and Rod Stover built the trusses out of native lumber in the machine shed. In 1995, 105 acres of adjoining land was purchased from Bill Lee, who had moved into the house up the road with his mother. That farm was then systematically tiled in 1996. In 2008, the dry cow barn was built to better accommodate bred cows and heifers and features headlocks for 16 animals. In 2010, a 5000 bushel grain bin was purchased and the corn cribs were sold. Rick sure was glad to not have to shell corn out of the cribs anymore! In 2011, a manure storage shed was built to better utilize manure produced during the winter. In early 2012, it was decided that the cows were producing so much that milking three times a day would greatly improve udder health and milk quality. It has been a rough transition for the people, but the cows have done wonderful! A calf barn is currently under construction to provide better management for our young calves, who currently have to live in a horse stall, or where ever we can find space for them.