Unc Brock Farm
When Kris and Unc Brock began milking on their farm in 1998 after working with cows on other farms, they couldn't have imagined how their small Schaghticoke, New York farm would grow. "Unc milked cows, and I raised calves for another farm," Kris explains. "It all kind of morphed into us becoming dairy farmers. We just thought it was a great place to raise a family."
Their shared love of animals and hard work has become a family legacy at Unc Brock Farm—now carried forward by their daughter Val, her husband Greg, and their twin daughters, Nora and Sadie, and son Owen. These days, Kris focuses mainly on the family catering business, while Unc travels to keep an eye on things. Greg and Val handle much of the day-to-day farm operations: Greg manages feedings, hauls commodities, and helps with daily chores, while Val oversees business operations like bookkeeping, employee management, and herd management—all while homeschooling the kids. Together, they also pitch in with the food truck and catering, keeping busy while serving the community.
The farm thrives on diversity with a productive mix of Thanksgiving turkeys, meat chickens and laying hens, milking goats, horses, and a 200-head dairy herd that is an unusual array of breeds. "We're not particular. We like all kinds of cows—we love to see the variety of colors and personalities associated with the cows," says Kris with a laugh. "My favorites are Jersey-Holstein crosses, but we also have Holsteins, Linebacks, Guernseys, Shorthorns, and Ayrshires. We even milked a Brahma. They all get along; they don't know they're different."
In talking with the Brocks, it's easy to see how well-loved and cared for the cows are. The farm recently put in the Smaxtec bolus system, which functions like a Fitbit for cows, helping manage herd health by catching any issues very early on. "It's been a fun piece of technology to start using and get all the data from," explains Val. "We use sawdust bedding, have curtains on the freestall as well as fans, and we feed a lot of by-products that would otherwise be taking up space in a landfill, like brewers' grain, candy, and soy pulp," she continues.
The Brocks are passionate about farming life, and the love of the industry and being with the animals and family on the farm is what keeps them going. "There is no other place I would want to raise our kids—our children get to grow up where life is real, work is honest, and the sky reminds us to dream big," says Val. She teaches her kids to set their goals high and never give up, leading by example. "Farming is tough—you have to have respect for it, but it will take care of you," she explains.
That same dedication extends beyond the farm. Val plays an active role in shaping the future of dairy through her work on the American Dairy Northeast Board and the National Dairy Board/Dairy Management Inc. "I live to be involved in the industry, not just on the farm," she says. "There are so many great people to talk to and learn from. Getting off the farm sometimes and getting new ideas from others around the country is invaluable. Not to mention, if you aren't a voice in the industry, you have no right to complain about how it is."
That passion for collaboration carries over to their role as farmer-owners in the Cabot Cooperative, where the Brocks contribute their high-quality milk to make Cabot's award-winning products. "Being a part of the Cabot Cooperative means being part of amazing, award-winning products, while having our Cabot community to support us and stand strong together," Val explains.
In addition to being farmer-owners, they're happy consumers, too. "We are proud to be a part of Cabot because the products are high-quality, delicious, and made with love and care," Val says. "We LOVE and use a ton of Seriously Sharp, and we use Cabot butter in everything," she says. "And the Triple Cream Yogurt is so good, it is hard not to be hooked on it!"
The Brock Family knows a thing or two about food. Off the farm, they share their bounty and passions through their food truck and catering business, Farmer's Feed Bunk, which keeps them busy while connecting with the local community. "We are thankful to be a part of people's lives, providing delicious food and great service," Val says. Beyond catering, the farm sells beef cuts to the community and supports local 4-H, dairy promotion programs, and community events—bringing their love of farming, family, and community full circle.
