With the fifth generation now in training, Bridget says, “our main goal is to care for our land and cows as our forefathers did and continue to test and implement practices and techniques that will sustain the business into the future.” The Barcellos family believes diversification and the ‘smarter not harder’ mentality is key to profitability in an ever-changing dairy ecosystem. Altogether, the family enterprise is made up of three dairies along with trucking and excavating businesses.

A passionate dairy woman, Bridget wears many hats on and off the farm. She’s a mother of five, an adjunct agricultural professor at a local community college and manages many aspects of the dairy. “My current role is managing bills, payroll, employees and keeping up on state and industry regulations. I also work closely with our herdsman, vet and breeder to maintain DairyComp records,” Bridget remarks.

The farm hosts many community and youth groups each year, teaching the importance of animal health and husbandry. Bridget is involved in 4-H as the Community Club Leader and the Dairy Leader in addition to being active in the Monache FFA Boosters Club, an initiative helping high school students participate in FFA competitions and travel to National FFA Convention each year.

More than anything, Bridget enjoys raising her young family on the dairy. “Our boys have been able to step in, help where needed and will have full-time jobs on the farm this summer. I feel blessed our kids have the same opportunity I did as a kid.”