Coming Back to the Family Farm: What It Really Takes to Grow a Dairy Operation

May 7

Coming back to the family farm sounds simple on paper.

But anyone who’s done it knows the reality is far more layered than that. You’re stepping into a business with history, expectations, existing systems, and family dynamics—all while trying to figure out how to make your own mark and help move the operation forward. That’s exactly what Zoey Brooks shares in her conversation on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast.

When Zoey returned to Brooks Farms nearly ten years ago, the operation looked very different than it does today. At the time, the dairy milked around 200 cows with a small team. Today, it has grown into a thriving 700-cow operation with 15 employees, expanded facilities, and even a growing cheese brand. But as Zoey explains, growth didn’t happen overnight—and it definitely didn’t happen without challenges.

Coming Back to the Farm Means Stepping Into Growth

For many next-generation dairy producers, returning home comes with both excitement and pressure.

You want to contribute.
You want to bring ideas to the table.
And you want to prove yourself.

That journey was very real for Zoey. Like many young dairy leaders returning to the family operation, she stepped into an environment that already had established routines and expectations. But she also saw opportunity—the chance to help grow and improve the dairy for the future. And growth quickly became part of the story.

Some of the Biggest Lessons Come Through Challenges

One of the things Zoey talks openly about is how much problem-solving shaped her growth as a leader. As Brooks Farms expanded and transitioned into new facilities, they experienced an unexpected drop in milk production that nobody could immediately explain. Eventually, they traced the issue back to stray voltage affecting cow behavior and performance. It was frustrating, expensive, and stressful.

But experiences like that forced Zoey and the team to become stronger problem-solvers and more resilient operators. And honestly, that’s something many producers returning to the family farm experience firsthand: leadership often develops through the hard seasons—not the easy ones.

Growing the Farm Also Means Growing the Team

One thing that stands out in Zoey’s leadership style is how much emphasis she places on culture. As dairies grow, managing people becomes just as important as managing cows.

At Brooks Farms, Zoey has worked hard to create an environment where employees feel respected and genuinely enjoy being there. That culture matters—and you can often feel it in the little things, like employees sticking around after work just to spend time together. For Zoey, building a successful dairy operation isn’t only about expansion. It’s about creating a place people want to be part of.

Technology Is Changing What Farm Leadership Looks Like

Modern dairy leadership looks different than it did even ten years ago. Zoey talks about using cameras, communication systems, and technology tools to stay connected to the dairy while also raising her young children. That balance matters. For many next-generation producers coming back to the farm, there’s a strong desire to build successful businesses without sacrificing family life in the process. Technology is helping make that more possible than ever before.

Diversifying the Dairy Creates New Opportunities

One of the most entrepreneurial parts of Zoey’s story is the launch of the “Black & White” cheese brand. What started during the pandemic as a response to milk dumping evolved into an entirely new opportunity for Brooks Farms. Partnering with Union Star Cheese Factory, the operation began producing aged cheddar products tied directly back to the farm’s milk quality and story.

For Zoey, it represents more than cheese—it’s about continuing to think creatively about the future of the dairy business. And increasingly, many younger dairy producers returning home are bringing exactly that mindset: How do we not just maintain the farm… but grow it in new ways?

“Do It Scared”

One of the most relatable parts of Zoey’s perspective is her honesty around fear and uncertainty. Because the truth is, growth rarely feels comfortable. Most of it comes before you feel fully ready. That’s why her mindset of “do it scared” resonates with so many producers stepping into bigger roles on family farms. Confidence usually comes after the action—not before it.

The Bottom Line

Zoey Brooks’s story is one that so many in dairy can relate to. Coming back to the family farm isn’t just about continuing tradition. It’s about helping shape what the future of that operation can become. It requires: