Kayhart Brothers Dairy, LLC West Addison, VT
There’s no mistaking that Tim and Steve Kayhart are brothers — from their similar builds and easy smiles to their almost-matching beards. Like many siblings, the Kayharts admit they didn’t always see eye to eye growing up. But after returning as adults to the West Addison, Vermont farm where they were raised, the brothers have developed a close, appreciative working relationship and officially took over full responsibility from their parents, Lee and Pat, in 2010. “Both of us feel extremely fortunate,” says Tim. “I know it makes us a better farm because we work together.”
The farm has come a long way since 1979, when Lee and Patricia Kayhart started out milking just 80 cows. Today, Kayhart Brothers Dairy spans 3200 acres and milks 1600 cows across land on both sides of Lake Champlain in Vermont and New York. Since taking over the operation, Tim and Steve have focused on building a farm that’s efficient, sustainable, and ready for the next generation.
The Next Generation
Family has always been at the heart of Kayhart Brothers Dairy, and today, the next generation is helping Steve and Tim carry the legacy forward. “We’re actively exploring the possibility of them being the next generation to lead the farm,” says Steve.
Steve’s son Andy and Tim’s daughter Jamie have been part of the farm for more than two years now, each bringing their own strengths and fresh perspectives to the operation. Andy works alongside his uncle, managing crops and machinery, while Jamie works with Steve on herd management, employee relations, and farm finances.
Efficiency for All
After nearly a decade of planning and phased construction, the Kayharts are bringing their long-term vision for the farm to completion. In 2016 and 2017, they finished the first phase of their free-stall barn expansion, which began the process of bringing all their cows together for milking in a central parlor.
Now, in 2025, they’re finishing the project with a brand-new 800-cow free-stall barn. The addition of this final phase will let them consolidate milking into a single parlor by the end of the year — a significant step toward labor efficiency and smoother day-to-day operations.“Financially, it was too big to do all at once,” Steve explains. “But now that Andy and Jamie are working alongside us, the timing felt right.”
For Steve, the project is more than just a matter of efficiency — it’s the completion of a dream. “I had this dream for a long time, and I consider myself very lucky to live it out,” he says. “It gives me a tremendous amount of pride, and I know at my core that my brother and I have laid a stable foundation for our kids to carry on the business if that’s what they choose to do.”
The Kayharts designed the free-stall barn for ultimate cow comfort and energy efficiency. The brothers worked closely with Efficiency Vermont on the first phase of the project — fan sensors automatically adjust when a natural breeze is present, and a sophisticated central system controls wall curtains and roof vents to maintain ideal temperatures year-round with minimal energy use.
Beyond the barn itself, Tim serves on the board of directors of the Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition, which strives to help farmers implement agricultural practices to improve economic resiliency and environmental stewardship with the goal of improving and maintaining the ecological integrity of Lake Champlain and its tributaries.
A Bright Future
Dairy farming is always evolving, but Steve and Tim are confident in their farm's resilience and the industry's future. “Dairy farming is a challenging occupation, and it’s only going to become harder, but we believe it has a bright future,” says Steve. “We’ve always taken pride in helping feed a hungry world, and we hope our farm continues to do that for many, many years to come.”
The Kayharts are focusing on running a sustainable and profitable farm for generations, continuing to expand where it makes sense to remain strong. Recently, they purchased a neighboring farm, and this time, Jamie and Andy’s names will be on it as an LLC. “We saw it as an opportunity to continue strengthening our operation and further our commitment to the future of farming," says Steve.
The family has been proud members of the Cabot Cooperative for many years, and all the milk they produce goes directly to Cabot. “There’s a strong core of dairy farms in Vermont, and we hope this region continues to be a thriving place for dairy farming,” says Steve. “We feel good about the future,” he adds.
The Kayharts are focusing on running a sustainable and profitable farm for generations, continuing to expand where it makes sense to remain strong. Recently, they purchased a neighboring farm, and this time, Jamie and Andy’s names will be on it as an LLC. “We saw it as an opportunity to continue strengthening our operation,” Steve says.
