Some farms are built on land, while others are built on legacy. At Dick Haven Farm, Dale and Lynnae Dick are cultivating both, blending innovation with the same faith and determination that have guided their family for generations.
As Michigan Milk Producers Association’s (MMPA) 2025 Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperators, the Dicks represent the next generation of leadership: one grounded in values, strengthened by community and inspired by the future they’re building for their children and for the next generation of dairy farmers.
Dale is the fifth generation to dairy on his family’s land, a farm established officially in 1890 in McBain, Michigan. Today, Dale and his brother, Mark, manage the operation together, milking about 240 Holsteins and 60 Jersey cows across two sites with Dale’s father, Gordon, still involved in daily feeding.
“My grandpa went from milking by hand to surge buckets to a parlor,” Dale said. “And then we went to robots. He got to see the full evolution.”
The Dicks built their first robotic barn in 2013 with four robots and have since expanded to six, adding another for the Jerseys. For them, technology wasn’t about being flashy, it was about sustainability. “We were spending a lot of time in the barn and had minimal free time,” Dale said. “The robots let us keep growing without adding more people. For us, they work. We couldn’t do what we do without them.”
Innovation Grounded in Practicality
The progress they’ve made on Dick Haven Farm comes from equal parts curiosity and necessity. In 2015, they bought a neighboring farm that had been managed by a longtime grazing dairyman. “He’d been grazing for 30 years and wanted to keep managing cows,” Dale said. “He knew how to graze, and we didn’t. So, we thought, ‘Why not learn from him?’”
The Jerseys now graze in the summer months, but the Dicks have adapted the system to fit northern Michigan’s short growing season. “We still let the cows graze, but we offer a partial mix ration with them to hold milk production,” Dale said. “It’s about balance and finding what works for our ground and our cows.”
Finding that balance extends beyond cow care. Dale and Mark are continually adjusting their cropping and feeding systems, testing new strategies that make sense for their size. “We started growing all our own dry hay,” Dale said. “And we changed how we feed dry cows to make it healthier and simpler. Every change takes trial and error, but once it works, it’s worth it.”
Even the barn design reflects years of hands-on problem solving. A few winters back, the family re-engineered their ventilation system to prevent freezing issues. “We talked to a guy in Wisconsin with a different ventilation theory,” Dale said. “We sealed up the eaves, added big ceiling fans, and now when it’s 30 below outside, it’s still 30 degrees in the barn.”
The Dicks’ drive for efficiency also led to a unique community partnership: joining three neighboring farms to purchase a local grain elevator. “It’s something that’ll benefit us long term,” Dale said. “Up here, there’s not a lot of options for grain storage. Owning the elevator means we can store what we grow and market it when we want, not when we have to.”
Facing Challenges Head-On
Life on the farm hasn’t always been easy, but the Dicks have learned to meet challenges with quiet determination. From long winters that test equipment and endurance to unpredictable weather challenging crops, each season brings something new to overcome.
“Farming teaches you humility,” Dale said. “You can plan everything down to the hour and something will still go wrong. You just learn to roll with it.”
The Dicks credit their teamwork and communication for helping them stay grounded through difficult stretches. “We talk all day long,” Dale said. “We don’t have formal meetings, but we’re always checking in and asking, ‘Does this make sense? Should we try it another way?’ There’s no stupid question here.”
Lynnae said her husband’s perseverance is what keeps the farm moving forward. “Dale can face adversity and challenges without letting them weigh him down,” she said. “He’s always thinking, ‘How can I do better next time? How can I fix this?’ That attitude is why we’re still here.”
Faith, Family and Farming
At the heart of it all, the Dicks say their success comes down to three things: faith, family and farming.
“Our Christian faith is at the core,” Dale said. “It’s how we live, how we raise our kids and how we run the farm. Faith, family and farming is why we do what we do and it’s for the love of all of those three things.”
That family focus is what keeps their operation running. Dale manages herd health, crops and breeding. Mark handles equipment and maintenance. Gordon still starts his mornings in the barn at 2 a.m., checking cows and mixing feed. And Lynnae fills in wherever needed while also being the heartbeat of the household and community outreach.
“We do most everything ourselves,” Dale said. “We’ve got one high school kid who helps part-time, but otherwise it’s just us.”
Their three children, Jasper (8), Ira (6), and Thea (3), are growing up immersed in the same way of life their parents love. “Our oldest thinks school is optional. He’d rather be driving equipment,” Lynnae said with a laugh.
Even with the long hours, both Dale and Lynnae say there’s nowhere else they’d rather be, and with the addition of a pumpkin patch and agritourism venture, they can share their passion with the community.
Connecting with the Community
In 2018, when a nearby pumpkin patch closed, the Dicks decided to fill the void opening Dick Family Farm, complete with a seven-acre corn maze, cider, donuts and fall family activities. “We thought, why not?” Lynnae said. “We already had pumpkins planted and people kept asking about them, so we opened our gates, and it’s just grown from there.”
Today, there is a steady stream of school field trips and family visits. But for Lynnae, the fun is also an opportunity to educate.
“We do a ‘Dairy Weekend’ every fall,” she said. “We used to give in-person farm tours, but this year we’re working with a local videographer and got a United Dairy Industry of Michigan grant to create a virtual tour. We want to show what modern dairy farming looks like and help people connect with the cows behind their milk.”
Her passion for communication comes naturally. “I grew up on a dairy farm, and my parents were MMPA Outstanding Young Cooperators in the late ’90s, just like Dale’s,” she said. “So it’s kind of full circle. We both grew up seeing how important it is to tell your story.”
Committed to the Cooperative
For Dale and Lynnae, being part of MMPA is not just about marketing milk, it’s about belonging to something bigger.
“Without MMPA, I don’t think a 300-cow dairy like ours could make it,” Dale said. “The co-op makes it possible for farms our size to keep going.”
Dale hopes to use his time as OYDC to represent MMPA and his peers at state and national dairy events while encouraging more young members to get involved in their cooperative. “Our parents’ generation was really active in the co-op,” he said. “The more you’re involved, the more your voice is heard and that’s how we shape the future.”
As they look ahead, Dale and Lynnae remain focused on efficiency, innovation and family. “We’re always looking at how to do things better,” Dale said. “Everything we do is to pass something on to these kids when their time comes. We’re farming with the next generation in mind.”
Their journey from hand-milking to robotic barns, from long winters to community pumpkin patches reflects the resilience and innovation that define today’s dairy farmers.
This article was originally published in the November/December 2025 issue of the Milk Messenger. Subscribe »