At Ocooch Dairy we currently have 25 full and part-time team members, including 6 family members, all of which help to make our farm successful. Our farm operates 24/7, 365 days a year, and without the collective effort of our dedicated team this would not be possible.

Meet the family

Jim, a large animal veterinarian, oversees the farm, sharing his years of experience with the rest of the team. Jim's main areas of focus are herd health, reproductive programs, manure management, and land and soil conservation. Jim has been actively involved in various agriculture associations over the years, including the Dairy Business Association and CAFE (Citizens for Agriculture and Friends of the Environment). He is currently serving on the board of the local hospital.

Jacqui, the oldest child and daughter in the family, is in charge of the sick and fresh cows, vaccinations, and overall cow maintenance and movements. She is also dedicated to bridging the gap between farmers and consumers within our community, implementing a tri-annual event that brings the world of agriculture to local school kids and serving as the Ag in the Classroom coordinator for Vernon County Farm Bureau. In addition to sharing her passion for agriculture, Jacqui is committed to promoting literacy in our rural area. She recently created Hillsboro CARES (Community Advocates for Reading Enrichment and Success) and partnered with local businesses to develop a Local Lit program. Learn more about Jacqui and Ocooch Dairy's community outreach adventures in the Community Education and Outreach part of our site.

Ocooch's Calf and Heifer Manager, Stacy, also the second child and youngest daughter, is responsible for the health and well-being of replacement heifers and beef animals from birth until they are close to calving. In addition to her role on the farm, Stacy is also creator and director of Feeding Our Cubs Inc., a nonprofit organization that addresses childhood hunger in rural Wisconsin on a local level. Through the Cub Packs program her and a group of passionate volunteers help end weekend hunger for youth at Hillsboro Elementary School.

Jacqui and Stacy have a combined total of five young boys, ranging in ages from 2 to 8. With three in school and two still at home, they are never short an extra helper! Both girls are also involved in the local Parent-Teacher Organization and School Wellness Committee.

Peter and Tony, two sons, manage the feeding of cows and heifers, field work, and overall facility and equipment maintenance. Peter is also the milking parlor manager, troubleshooting everything from computer to protocol problems as he leads the milking team. Both Peter and Tony are involved in the local school, lending their wise words and take-down maneuvers to Hillsboro youth as coaches of the Junior High and Youth Wrestling Teams.

Thomas, the middle son, works full-time as the Technical Services and Quality Assurance Manager for Reconyx, but is still actively involved with Ocooch, taking on odd jobs and filling in to help whenever possible. Overseeing wildlife conservation on the farm's 500+ acres, his primary objective is to ensure that Ocooch follows, or exceeds, environmental safety standards to ensure the safety and longevity of all the natural ecosystems throughout the farm. A passionate bow hunter, Thomas currently holds the number 4 spot for the largest whitetail buck taken with archery tackle in Vernon county. Thomas is involved in multiple outdoor conservation programs, including a local sportsman's club that invests the majority of its proceeds into 'Learn-to-Hunt' programs for kids and newcomers to the sport.