Why would anyone want to help wanna-be farmers start dairying? It’s what Bonnie and Charles Ulmer Jr. of Cogan Station, Pa., feel they’re called to do. It has given them a good life and instilled a work ethic in their three children. Their son, Seth, now has his own farm.

This husband-wife team from Lycoming County, Pa., started their farming career in 1981 by renting an aged dairy farm for $450 a month with two small children, a car, truck, tractor, rake and 21 Holsteins. In 1992, they purchased their home farm. They built their herd to 62 cows and bought all their machinery. By 2001, they were debt-free.

Then the Ulmers added a new dairy freestall facility housing 200 cows plus a parlor — but not for their own use. Hampered by Charles’ three separate injuries and finger amputations, they stopped milking cows to create opportunities for young families to get started in the industry.

They openly acknowledge that they’ve been blessed, and are “paying it forward.”

Today, Ulmer Farm crops more than 2,500 acres of corn, soybeans, alfalfa, grass hay and wheat. They also rent out dairy facilities to families wanting to start farming.

The couple has started seven young farmers on three of Ulmer Farm’s dairy facilities. Some are still operating on Ulmer Farm, with 45% of the milk checks coming back to the Ulmers in payment for feedstuffs. Ulmer Farm supplies feedstuffs for five herds, totaling about 600 cows.

Machinery savings
One big advantage for startup families is that they don’t have to buy cropping machinery. And Charles adds: “Profit is important, but not all-important.”

“We want to inspire young farmers and wives of the future to work together for the best of the farm and their families,” adds Bonnie. “We try to mentor them to make wise decisions and work hard.”

Charles splits field operation duties with brother Steve, who is employed by the farm. They grow 700 acres of wheat and use cereal rye cover crops on all corn ground, and sometimes on soybean fields.

Ulmer Farm received Pennsylvania’s Dairy of Distinction Award and numerous Dairy Herd Improvement Association milk production awards. Charles is a past president of Pennsylvania DHIA and serves on the AgChoice Farm Credit board and its audit committee. He chairs their church’s mission board.

Besides being the farm’s bookkeeper, Bonnie serves on their church’s fellowship team, and shares photos she takes on the church’s Facebook page.

Watch for tomorrow’s 2016 Master Farmer feature on Martin Yahner of Patton, Pa., and here for a roundup on all nine 2016 Master Farmers.