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New Era, Michigan  ·  Est. 1907

Our Story

Five generations of family farming in the heart of West Michigan

Holstein cow in the pasture at Country Dairy
The original Van Gunst farmhouse
Est. 1907
The herd year-round
Rain or Shine
Michigan Centennial Farm
Five Generations of Michigan Farming

Rooted in West Michigan Since 1907

Country Dairy's story began in the 1880s when Andrew Van Gunst immigrated from the Netherlands to West Michigan as a young boy. Through hard work, perseverance, and a deep faith in this land, Andrew and his wife Jane purchased 80 acres in New Era, Michigan in 1907, starting the farm that would become Country Dairy.

Through generations of early mornings, hard seasons, and a stubborn love for the life of farming, that original 80 acres has grown into something much bigger: a Michigan Centennial Farm, a working dairy of over 1,200 Holstein cows, and one of West Michigan's most beloved family destinations.

Today, the fifth generation of the Van Gunst family carries that same spirit forward, not just as farmers but as hosts. Every farm tour, every scoop of ice cream, and every meal served at our Farm Kitchen is an invitation to share in something that has taken more than a century to build.

"A person cannot dream of something different if they have never seen it."

Wendell Van Gunst, who built Country Dairy's on-farm processing plant in 1983, transforming the farm into the vertically integrated dairy it is today
A Century in the Making

Country Dairy History

From one immigrant family's dream to a Michigan legacy.

Andrew Van Gunst
Andrew Van Gunst
1880s
The Beginning

Andrew Van Gunst immigrates from the Netherlands to West Michigan as a young boy, beginning the family story that would eventually become Country Dairy.

The original 40 acres
The Original 80 Acres
1907
The Land

Andrew and Jane Van Gunst purchase the original 80-acre farm in New Era, Michigan, where they raise dairy cows, cherries, asparagus, and potatoes while building a life for their growing family.

Ellen driving the tractor
Ellen on the Tractor
1936–1956
Second Generation

Son Henry and his wife Ellen carry on the tradition, raising seven children on the farm before Henry officially takes over ownership. The roots run deeper.

Holstein cows on the farm
The Holstein Herd
The original milking parlor
Old Milking Parlor
1964–1968
Third Generation

Wendell Van Gunst returns home after studying dairy science at Michigan State University and serving in the Army. He focuses the farm entirely on Holstein dairy cattle and grows the herd.

Wendy in the processing plant
Inside the Plant
Vintage Country Dairy advertisement
Early Advertisement
1983
Processing Plant Opens

Country Dairy opens its on-farm dairy processing plant, allowing milk from their own herd to be pasteurized, bottled, and distributed fresh throughout West Michigan.

Country Dairy Farm Store
The Farm Store
Vintage Country Dairy ice cream sign
Vintage Ice Cream Sign
2004
The Farm Store Opens

The Country Dairy Farm Store welcomes its first guests, bringing homemade ice cream, farm-fresh food, and family experiences to the public for the first time.

Princess, a modern Holstein wearing a robotic RFID collar
Princess, Modern Dairy
Today
Fifth Generation & Growing

Now in its fifth generation of family ownership, Country Dairy milks approximately 1,200 cows and welcomes tens of thousands of visitors each year. Same land, same family.

New Era, Michigan

The Farm Today

A working dairy farm that's also one of West Michigan's most-loved destinations.

1,200+
Holstein Cows
5
Generations
100+
Years on This Land
30+
Ice Cream Flavors
Holstein dairy cows in the barn
The Herd
Country Dairy products Farm Fresh Products →
What Drives Us

What We Stand For

Worth the Trip

Every visit should be one you remember. A farm tour with the kids, a scoop on a summer afternoon, products you can't find anywhere else. We build experiences worth the drive.

Products You Can Trust

Non-GMO, hormone-free, SQF certified, and Kosher. We put our name on everything we make and hold it to the standard we'd expect for our own families.

Happy Cows, Better Milk

Robotic milking lets our cows eat, rest, and be milked on their own schedule. Content, well-cared-for animals make better milk, and it shows in every product.

Good People

Country Dairy is a family business that runs on people who genuinely care. From the barn to the counter, our team takes pride in the work.

You're Welcome Here

Come See It for Yourself

Behind the Scenes

Farm Tours

Walk the barns, meet the herd, and see a real working dairy up close. Tours run daily and are built for curious minds of every age.

Book a Tour →
New Era, Michigan

Plan Your Visit

Ice cream, farm-fresh food, and a real working farm. All in one place. We're open year-round and always glad you made the trip.

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