Positive Relationships Pay Dividends for Family Dairies
Production goals, financial KPI’s and the bottom line are vital measurements of success for any dairy business. But something has to fuel the vitals. John and Maria Nye of Delta, Utah have found not only their fuel, but also enjoyment and satisfaction in working together with their family, community, and local 4-H and FFA.
The Nye family relocated to Utah from Connecticut in 1995, where the 1500 acres they farmed were spread out across a 20-mile radius of their home. The move to Millard County afforded them the opportunity to build what is now a three-barn, 5,000-cow operation with room for their children and grandchildren to be involved.
John and Maria currently work together with 75 employees and two other family members: Greg and Kate. Greg chose to come back to the farm in 2008 after attending school and working away from home. Together they added the family’s third farm in 2015. Their grown children who are not on the farm are also making a difference in dairy through their careers.
“We have worked together every day for the last 39 years,” Maria Nye says. “Family is the foundation of our farm. Our kids were strapped into silage trucks and had playpens in the shop, baby swing in the milking parlor. Whatever we did, they did.
The strength of the family is laid down day by day, over years, building stronger together than we can be as individuals.” Nye says that strength comes from a combination of joys and challenges. The joy is in knowing they’re in it together and seeing growth throughout the years. The challenges have included learning to hear each other, honoring each other’s personalities, building and implementing a strong and dynamic transition process and managing personal goals to mesh with the best options for the business.
“We’ve learned to listen – a lot,” Nye adds. “And to just be nice to each other. Please and thank you are as important for family members as for the banker.” Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of time off for everyone, along with respect for personal time and space. “An off-farm life is key – and so is laughing.”
Maria is a third generation 4-H’er, and both John and Maria were leaders back in Connecticut. It was only natural for the pair to dive into 4-H in Millard Country. “Our first show season in Utah some neighbors got together to form a livestock club and we’ve been leaders ever since,” Nye says. “Our experience with young people starts with simply enjoying watching them grow. We love to share what we know and love to learn new things alongside young explorers.”
The Nyes offer several outlets for young people to get active in the dairy industry. Activities range from animal care to public presentation, showmanship, dairy promotion and local food projects. “For the spring term, FFA students can lease a heifer to raise, train and show for the Jr Stock show – or all season if they wish,” Nye adds.
Nye says the 4-Hers from the original club are now parents of teenagers who’ve also been bitten by the ‘4-H bug,’ and many have worked with the Nye family in some capacity over several years.
“Knowing that we are helping to build a capable, inquisitive and well-trained work force is rewarding,” she says. “It’s the little bits at a time, over a long time, that create that strength. Good work ethic is appreciated the world over.”
Nye says that while it’s hard to quantify the relationship part of the business, being part of the community and reaching out with no strings attached has been vital to their success. “Our community has turned out to move cows, set fence posts, fight fires, plant trees, share a meal, say goodbye to family members. We are happy when someone shows up with a carful of kids to show them a fence they helped build or some other family lore.”
