For Conny van Bedaf, dairy farming has never been confined by borders. Raised on a dairy farm in the Netherlands, she milked cows as a teenager, studied dairy processing and cheesemaking in college, and later built a life alongside her husband, Corné, on a Dutch dairy farm. When growing regulations threatened their family’s future, the couple made a bold decision to leave everything they knew behind in search of new opportunities. Their journey took them from the Netherlands to Canada and ultimately to North Dakota, where they built what is now VanBedaf Dairy and Cows & Co. Creamery, creating opportunities not only for themselves, but for the next generation of their family as well.
As Midwest Dairy celebrates the International Year of the Woman Farmer, Conny reflects on the experiences that shaped her career, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and why dairy farming continues to be a family affair.
How did your journey in dairy farming begin?
I was born and raised on a dairy farm in the Netherlands and was involved from a very young age. By age 14, I was milking our 80 cows on my own. Dairy farming was simply part of life.
After high school, I studied food science, focusing on dairy processing and microbiology. I completed cheesemaking internships in New Zealand and the Netherlands, where I learned to make Gouda cheese. Even then, dairy was at the center of everything I wanted to do.
Your dairy story truly spans the globe. Tell us about that journey.
After graduating from college, my husband and I purchased a dairy farm in the Netherlands. We were grateful for the opportunity, but over time, increasing regulations made it difficult to see a future there.
We wanted the same thing our parents gave us, which is the opportunity for our children to farm one day if they chose. So, we made the difficult decision to leave our home country. First, we moved to Canada and expanded our herd. As our children grew and became interested in the farm, we realized we needed more opportunities again, which ultimately led us to North Dakota in 2008.
Looking back, there were challenges every step of the way. We sold farms, moved cattle across borders, and started over more than once. But we made every move with our family and our future in mind. Today, all three of our children are involved in the family business in different ways, so I would say it was worth it.
What does it mean to you to be a woman farmer in today’s dairy industry?
I don’t really see myself as different from any other farmer. I believe dairy farms are often strongest when men and women work together, bringing different strengths to the business.
One thing I have noticed is how opportunities for women have grown. In the early 1990s, I was one of the first women serving on our district dairy cooperative board in the Netherlands. Today, women have a much stronger voice in agriculture, and I’m proud to have witnessed and been part of that.
You’ve helped build both a dairy and a creamery. What makes that especially meaningful?
For decades, one of our biggest goals has been producing high-quality milk. We have received quality milk awards every year we’ve been eligible through our cooperative, and our family takes great pride in that.
Today, seeing that milk transformed into cheese, gelato, yogurt, and bottled milk at our family’s creamery is incredibly rewarding. My daughter helped launch the creamery, and what started in our garage has grown into a thriving business. It’s special to see our Dutch dairy heritage continue through products we’re sharing with consumers every day.
Why is connecting consumers to dairy farming important to your family?
We believe opening our farm is part of our job today.
We host dairy tours and welcome visitors so they can see firsthand how we care for our animals and produce milk. Many people have questions about modern dairy farming, and we want to create opportunities for honest conversations. When people can visit the farm, ask questions, and see what happens every day, it builds trust and understanding.
One of your most unique community efforts involves local youth. Tell us about that program.
About 15 years ago, one local student asked if she could show one of our calves at the county fair. That single request grew into something much bigger.
Today, 10 to 15 youth lease calves from our farm each year through 4-H. Many come from town and have little direct connection to agriculture. They spend months working with their animals, learning responsibility, and building confidence before showing at the county or state fair.
Watching those young people grow is incredibly rewarding. Some have gone on to careers in agriculture, and many become lifelong dairy advocates because they’ve experienced it firsthand.
What is the biggest lesson dairy farming has taught you?
Dairy farming is a family affair. Every day, you get to work alongside the people you love. I’ve also learned that if you take good care of your cows, they’ll take care of you. And after a lifetime in dairy, I remain incredibly proud to produce one of the most nutritious, delicious, and affordable foods available to consumers.
What advice would you give young women considering a career in agriculture?
Go for it. Be persistent. Agriculture is one of the most rewarding careers you can choose. The most beautiful stories are made in agriculture, and you have the opportunity to be part of them.
What is your favorite dairy product?
Drinkable yogurt.