Wilsonview Dairy: More than 100 years of family farming history

While farming practices have evolved during the past century, with credit due to technological advances and first-hand experience, today’s farmers continue to operate on a foundation of passion and dedication to their craft. Like many family businesses, farming comes with many sleepless nights problem solving, worrying, or crunching numbers.

It’s clear, regardless of generation, farmers will continue to spend their nights worrying about a new calf, weather patterns, or legislation impacting tried-and-true ways of farming. Simply, farming is more than a 9-5 with free weekends and paid vacation. It’s a unique career in that unlike many traditional businesses, farmers often live at their place of employment, which means a farming lifestyle of raising children alongside raising dairy cattle is a classic example of a non-existent work/life balance as farming is intertwined with every facet of your life.

It’s safe to say, however, farmers wouldn’t have it any other way.

Farming Heritage

The Josi family established their farming footprint in the Pacific Northwest in 1912 when Alfred Josi, and several of his siblings, emigrated from Switzerland as indentured servants to discover the alluring - and lush - Oregon coastal pastures, which were perfect for raising dairy cows. 

Alfred’s dream of owning his own farm rang true in 1918 when he began leasing the original 60 acres of the farmstead and joined the Tillamook County Creamery Association. As a traditional member and then director, he was instrumental in building and growing the cooperative, which was founded in 1909 by local farmers. 

Since founded, Wilsonview Dairy has remained in the Josi family, although the business structure has often fluctuated. The dairy was incorporated in 1982, much like any business would do for tax and legal reasons, and in 2008, Don and Desi bought out Don’s brother, and in 2014 Derrick’s older brother, struck out on his own founding Roads End Dairy, which is across the Wilson River.

These moves paved the way for current farm structure.

The Family

Today the farm is co-owned by the 3rd and 4th generations to call Wilsonview Dairy home. Derrick and his wife, Kaycee, farm alongside Derrick’s parents, Don and Desi.

Everyone’s role on the farm is important as a successful farm, like all successful businesses, requires specialty skills and a passionate workforce: Derrick focuses on custom nutrition programs and feeding schedules, Don leads the genetic program and heifer care, Desi pilots the calf program and accounting, and Kaycee, whose family heritage includes quarter horses, assists with accounting and logistics as she raises the 5th generation of Josis. 

The Farm
The farm, located on the Wilson River six miles from the Pacific Ocean, is in an epicenter of a relatively mild climate with temperatures ranging from the 30s in the winter to the 80s in the summer with an annual rainfall of more than 120 inches of rainfall, on average, each year.

The Oregon century farm milks in a double-12 herringbone parlor, houses dairy cows in a free stall barn, grows 500 acres of corn and grass silage, and includes open pasture grazing for the cows.

Stewardship is second nature to the Josi family. Without prioritizing sustainability of the land, water, and livestock, the farm would most likely not be in a place to be passed on to the next generation. Thankfully, that’s not the case.

During the past 15 years, the Josis have extensively renovated the farm to improve infrastructure, reduce labor, and relocate the milking parlor out of the flood plain. A new barn houses calves in individual or group pens based on age, and farming decisions afford the Josis to implement high-quality feed into their nutrition program while dedicating more time to caring for their dairy cows.

The Herd

After earning a bachelor of science from Oregon State University, Don returned to the farm and transitioned to co-owner. At that time, the farm consisted of 60 acres and a 65-cow herd of Guernseys, Holsteins, and Jerseys. In 1977, Twelve years after Don brought the first Registered Jersey to the farm as a 4-H project, he made two decisions that would serve as the foundation for becoming one of the most impactful Jersey herds in the country. 

First, he purchased a bull, “Merrit,” from the Western National Jersey Sale. 

Second, he married Desi. 

Derrick, the youngest of Don and Desi’s three children, who purchased his first Jersey heifer, “Danny Lou,” as a 4-H project after begging his parents for years to be able to own a Jersey of his own is following along in his family’s footsteps. Derrick returned home to the family dairy in 2004 and quickly formed a partnership with his parents. In that time the herd transitioned in size and structure while the farm expanded in acreage. Today, the 450 acre, fully-Jersey farm ranks 14th nationally for genetic merit and produces about 35,000 pounds of milk, or 3,000 gallons, of milk per day.

In 2020, Don and Desi were named 77th recipients of the Master Breeder Award of the American Jersey Cattle Association, which is bestowed to members who bred outstanding animals for many years making a notable contribution to the advancement of the Jersey breed in the United States.

Additionally, Derrick and Kaycee were knighted with the 2020 Young Jersey Breeder Award, which is presented to those who are younger than 40 and are deserving of recognition for the expertise in dairy farming, breeding Jersey cattle. 

Where to Buy Cheese and Dairy Products
Wilsonview Dairy’s cows play an important role making delicious cheese and other dairy products. Milk is delivered to Tillamook County Creamery, producer of award-winning cheese and other dairy products, where Derrick is an alternate director as was his dad and great grandpa were before him.

The creamery is nationally-known as a branded cheese company, famous for their world-renown cheeses and dairy products. Wilsonview Dairy, located in Tillamook, Oregon, is one of 90 farms that comprise Tillamook County Creamery Association, which is a farmer-owned co-op. Many of these farmer families have been farming in Tillamook County for multiple generations. (Like the Josis!)  It’s the responsibility of these farmers to ensure cows are comfortable and have everything they need to do their job. Caring for dairy cows is an around-the-clock job requiring 365 days of dedication.

The Tillamook label is available in five dairy product categories: cheese, ice cream, yogurt, sour cream, and butter.

On the Horizon

Farm projects are never truly complete. As one project makes its way off the list, another will take its place. On deck for Wilsonview Dairy is a new facility to maximize efficiency, while attaining the highest quality cow comfort.

The still-hypothetical new facilities will be ideal for agricultural tours, which will allow the Josis to give a first-hand look at a modern dairy to those who eat dairy products and want to learn more about them.