In the heart of western Minnesota, the delicate balance of tradition and modernity reverberates through the rhythmic hum of the vacuum pump at Golombiecki Dairy. Established in 1947 by a visionary grandfather, this family-owned dairy farm stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of legacy passed down through three generations.
Like many dairy farms, Golombiecki Family Farms LLC in Morris, Minn., is deeply rooted in family tradition and resilience. From its humble beginnings, returning Vietnam veteran Ron Golombiecki infused the farm with new life, marrying a veterinarian who became an integral part of their farming journey. Expanding their operations to two sites, Ron’s ingenuity and dedication kept the farm thriving through challenging times.
“My father would truck feed back and forth,” his daughter, Elizabeth Golombiecki, shares.
Adapt to Change
In the early 2000s, the family decided to streamline their efforts, consolidating the herd to one site and retrofitting their old stanchion barn to a flat parlor with a double-eight parlor.
“I appreciate that we can now milk twice a day in less time than it took us to milk once,” Golombiecki states.
Soon after, Golombiecki Family Farms received a letter from their processor saying they were going to triple their stop charges.
“The additional cost wasn’t feasible for us and we talked about selling out,” Golombiecki, who was just in high school at that time shares. “I remember not being ready to give up on the chance of potentially selling milk. I didn’t know if I wanted to take over the family farm then, but I knew I didn’t want to lose that chance either. And, I was pretty sure that if we sold the cows, it’d be really hard to start up again. So, I started emailing people and trying to figure out how to get a new market for our milk and DFA arose. We’ve been with them ever since.”
Challenges and Memories
The family’s resilience didn’t stop there. They continued milking cows and retrofitted the parlor once again to a double eight in 2016 to dial in efficiency.
It was only a few years later, in 2019, that Ron passed away after battling pancreatic cancer. The children cling to long conversations with their father during milking time. Their late father didn’t sugarcoat dairying and had cautioned them about the challenges of farm life. Yet, the wisdom he imparted — like never selling their land and understanding the power of perseverance — helps them weather the storm.
“We lost dad in the spring of 2019, which was almost a saving grace. I think he would have had way too much stress on his hands trying to watch us struggle that spring, as planting did not go well. Most of our acres ended up being prevent-plant. We were short on feed for our cows. We ended up bailing the neighbor’s cover crop because we just needed feed,” Golombiecki recalls.
Today, Golombiecki and her brother, Lester, share the day-to-day responsibilities — from paperwork to milking and feeding cows — in perfect harmony. Their younger brother, William, who is currently in the National Guard and exploring his future path, remains an integral part of their family’s future.
Resilient Family Bond
Reflecting on shared memories, Golombiecki recalls milking alongside her father, sitting on his cherished milking stool — a symbol of their unbreakable bond.
“Dad loved to milk cows. It was a peaceful place to kind of clear his head, dream and be creative,” she says. “I remember going around with my milking stool before we got our parlor.”
The siblings share they have a mountain of memories they cherish deeply. Their smiles widened as they remember coming off the bus as kids, running to the barn and knowing they could always find their dad there and talk to him about anything and everything.
“There’s something about working with your family that you get to experience all those things together,” Golombiecki says.
For this Minnesota family, dairy farming is more than just a business. It’s a lifestyle. Through grit and resilience, they’ve been able to sustain their small dairy operation while others nearby have become much larger in scale.
“We are a diverse farm. We have more crop acres than what we need to feed our cows,” she says, noting that strong beef prices have also helped add dollars to the bottom-line. “It helps make the whole picture work together.”
Building resilience on a family farm is more than physical labor. It’s about embracing the spirit of those who came before, cherishing shared memories and celebrating the unwavering pride of a family’s heritage. The Golombiecki Dairy stands as a living testament to the power of family and tradition, echoing timeless lessons while embracing new possibilities.
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