Multi-Generational Dairy Farming with Dutch Hollow
Dutch Hollow Farm in Columbia County, NY, is a clear example of what it means to carry a family legacy forward in dairy farming.
For decades, the Chittenden brothers formed the backbone of the farm, expanding the herd, building its nationally recognized Jersey program, and navigating the constant challenges of dairy markets. Their philosophy has always been simple but essential: work hard, innovate carefully, and keep family at the center.
That foundation has paved the way for the next generation. Today, Dutch Hollow is powered by a true generational farming team, with grandparents, siblings, cousins, and now young children all taking part in the life of the farm. Eighteen full-time employees, including nine family partners, work side by side to care for nearly 1,000 Jerseys every day.
Emily Chittenden Kirk, one of the third-generation partners, returned to Dutch Hollow after graduating from Cornell. She now leads in calf and heifer care, herd management, and farm communications, all while raising two young boys on the farm. Her husband, Quade Kirk, also a Cornell graduate, manages herd health, reproduction, and employee management. He’s quick to step in wherever needed, whether it’s in the barn, the tractor, or helping with calves. Emily’s brother Maxwell is also a partner, focusing on crop management.
This generational balance is what makes Dutch Hollow unique. The Chittendens carry forward roles that mirror the ones established by the generation before them: one focusing on cows, one on crops, one on calves and heifers. By keeping responsibilities aligned with each family member’s strengths, the farm sustains both efficiency and tradition.
Emily spends her days in the calf barns making sure the youngest animals always have the best of everything they need, while also staying on top of the farm’s data analysis spreadsheets. Quade takes pride in building on the Chittenden family’s Jersey breeding legacy, while lending a hand wherever it’s needed, whether it’s fixing something that’s broken or driving a tractor out in the fields. Both emphasize the importance of keeping the “family” in family farm—not just for themselves, but for their children and future generations.
Education is another meaningful tradition at Dutch Hollow. School tours are a regular part of the farm’s calendar, giving elementary students the chance to see firsthand where their milk comes from. For Emily, those visits carry a special hope that maybe one day a young girl might leave inspired to picture herself as a future farm owner, too.
From the steady leadership of grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles to Emily and Quade’s forward-looking vision, Dutch Hollow Farm stands as a true multi-generational dairy farm. It’s a place where heritage is honored, innovation is embraced, and family remains at the center of agriculture. It’s clear that tradition will carry on for generations to come.
