Amanda Freund and her family run Freund’s Farm in northwest Connecticut. They are members of Agri-Mark Family Dairy Farms and sell their milk to Cabot Creamery. They own a herd of 300 Holsteins and one Jersey. In March 2016, their farm became the first in the state to use robotic milking units. They also run Freund’s Farm Market & Bakery and CowPots — biodegradable pots using cows’ composted manure. Pictured, from left, is Isaac, Matt, Rachel, Theresa, Ben and Amanda (source: Cabot Creamery).

Tommy and Anna Watkins are third-generation dairy farmers from Wauchula, Fla. They are members of Southeast Milk, Inc, and were the 2015 Young Cooperator Vice Chaircouple. Tommy’s grandfather started the dairy in Palm Beach County in the 1930s, then moved to Wauchula in the early 1970s. The Watkins have about 3,000 Holsteins and milk 2,500 of them 2-3 times per day. Pictured are Tommy and Anna with their kids, Taylor (13), Thomas (6), Carlton (4), Arley Kate (4) and Ashleigh (4).

Brandon and Krista Stauffer are members of the 2016 NMPF Young Cooperator Advisory Council. They own a first-generation dairy farm and are members of the Northwest/Darigold cooperative. Their farm, Stauffer Dairy — located in Washington state — involves roughly 140 jerseys, Holsteins and crosses. Pictured are Krista (who provided these answers) and Brandon with their three children. Krista’s blog is www.thefarmerswifee.com.

Brad and Meghan Austin are the 2016 Young Cooperator Vice Chaircouple and are producer-members of Southeast Milk, Inc. Their dairy farm, Cindale Farms in the Florida panhandle, consists of 467 acres and 300 jersey and jersey-holstein crossed cows. The farm was started by Meg’s parents, Cindy and Dale Eade, in 1994. Pictured are Brad and Meghan with their daughter, Emma.

Jason and Lisa Mesch are the 2016 Young Cooperator Chaircouple and have been producer members of Upstate Niagara Cooperative since October 2008. They are second-generation dairy farmers who own a 55 Pro-Cross cow milking herd that seasonally grazes on a 36-acre farm in Collins, NY. They house their herd in a tie-stall barn. Pictured are Lisa and Jason Mesch with their five children.