Matt H., the proud Maola farmer-owner featured on our paperboard containers, farms with his wife, Ashley and parents David and Debbie in Berryville, Virginia. Matt’s brother, Danny also helps part-time on the farm and is a firefighter in their local community. Their dairy, Harvue Farms, is a fourth generation farm established in 1949 by David’s father, Jack and grandfather John. Today Matt and Ashley’s two young children James and Lily make the fifth generation on the farm.
The family began shipping milk to Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers in 1950 and has a long history of producing quality milk. Jack, the second generation, paved the foundation and established a dairy farming legacy his children and grandchildren are proud to continue. Jack was a true leader in the dairy industry and his local community. He served as president of Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative for six years, and on the Board of Directors for more than 23 years.
Today the family milks 350 registered Holsteins and farms 800 acres of owned and rented land. David is the general manager. Together, Matt and Ashley handle the herd health program and oversee the farm’s show animals. The family exhibits animals at the local, state and national level and has earned numerous awards and accolades for their cows.
Taking care of their animals is a top priority on their farm. Their cows are housed in freestall barns and newer bedded pack barns. “We feel the bedded pack is the Cadillac of cow comfort,” Ashley said. “And our freestalls are bedded with sand which we consider top of the line for cow comfort and milk quality.”
Harvue Farms’ dedication to their animals has reflected in their quality milk they provide to Maola. The family has received Maryland & Virginia’s highest honor – the annual Milk Quality Award three times in the past ten years.
“Our employees are one of our top contributors to our milk quality,” Matt said. “Our employees stay on a routine and are particular about how they clean and milk our cows in the parlor,” he added. They have six dedicated full time employees and “everyone is like family,” Matt added. Several employees have worked on the farm for 10 to 15 years, with one employee who has been with the farm for 40 years.
Harvue Farms open their farm throughout the year to school groups, 4-H groups and producer organizations. “I always try to emphasize the importance of consumer education and stress how hard we work to make sure that what leaves our farm is safe,” Ashley said.
With the family and employees working so well together as a team every day, they are ensuring the milk that leaves their farm is the best product possible for Maola consumers.
