Ohlsson Family Honored With Dairy of Distinction Award

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (September 30, 2016) - The Northeast Dairy Farm Beautification Program recognizes attractive dairy farms which gives consumers greater confidence in the wholesomeness of milk, stimulates milk sales, and encourages public support for the dairy industry. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County assists with this recognition program and is pleased to honor a Chautauqua County farm family with the Dairy of Distinction award.

Congratulations to our 2016 Chautauqua County Dairy of Distinction winner – Brenda and Arden Ohlsson and family of 3106 Armenian Road, in Sherman, NY.

As you travel east on Route 430 from the village Sherman, turn south onto Armenian Road, travel to the top of the hill – you will see a new colorful Dairy of Distinction sign, Super Milk Award sign, and American flag proudly displayed at the roadside by the Ohlsson family.

Arden and Brenda Ohlsson have operated their dairy farm since 1993, when they built their 40 cow dairy barn. Starting with 10 acres, they have added neighboring acreage to their business, now owning 200+ acres. They also have added a new steel machinery storage building in 2014 across the road from their dairy barn.

They milk 36 cows, which are mostly the Jersey breed, some Holsteins and crosses, and market their milk through Dairy Farmers of America. Ohlsson’s work to produce high quality, low somatic cell count milk, and regularly receive quality premiums for their milk.

The dairy herd is rotationally grazed on 40 acres of high quality pastures, and are fed mixed grass baleage and a grain supplement. They house their lactating herd in a tie-stall barn and milk the herd on a pipeline milking system. All replacements are raised on the farm, are grazed during the summer months and housed in a Coverall freestall barn next to the main dairy barn.

Brenda was born and raised on a local family dairy farm and has always been interested in dairy farming. She is proud to work most closely with the cows as the farm’s herdsperson, does the milking, helps with fieldwork, maintains the yard and does the farm’s bookkeeping. Brenda’s mother, Jeanie Ferguson also helps with farm chores and yard work.

Arden owns and operates Ohlsson’s Repair Service, a full service automotive repair business located next to their home, which he started in 1996. Arden also repairs the farm’s equipment, does the farm’s fieldwork, and helps milk cows when needed. Arden serves as a delegate for Dairy Farmers of America and is a member of the Board of Directors at Farmers Mill in Sherman.

Arden and Brenda are proud parents of two grown children. Their daughter Nicole is a graduate of Waynesburg University in Pennsylvania where she studied Marine Biology. She most recently worked as a laboratory technician with Dairy One in Ithaca, NY, helps on the farm and will begin her junior year of college at SUNY Fredonia working towards a degree in Medical Technology.

Son Jason received his Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management from Kent State and currently works as a Project Engineer at Gilbane Building Company, in Cleveland Ohio.

The Ohlsson Family is very proud to be recognized as a Dairy of Distinction. To the Ohlsson’s, “We do the best we can to keep a nice, neat farm and keep our cattle healthy. We take pride in what we do. By keeping our farm attractive, we hope to encourage others to become involved in and better appreciate agriculture.”

Congratulations to the Ohlsson Family and continued success with their dairy farm as they produce high quality milk for consumers and with their automotive business, helping local residents with repairing and maintaining their vehicles.

The Agriculture Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a community based educational organization, affiliated with Cornell University, Chautauqua County Government, the NYS SUNY system, and the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated September 30, 2016