Duane & Arlene Kilgus
In the late 1950s, Duane and Arlene Kilgus bought the Kilgus Farmstead land where the dairy now sits, from Duaneās father, Herman Kilgus. Duane and Arlene began raising Holstein cows, initiating a legacy that would evolve into what is now a fourth-generation family farm. Over the years the herd flourished and multiplied, just like their family. After raising seven children on the farm, they are now happily retired and live in town. However, they continue their lifeās work at Kilgus Farmstead to this day, giving tours, assisting customers at the store, and helping to prepare orders for delivery.
Paul & Carmen Kilgus
Paul is the son of Duane and Arlene and is married to Carmen. Paul manages the dairy side of the family business, tending to the cowsā needs on a daily basis, making sure each animal is fed the right diet for optimal health, and taking great care to ensure the overall well-being of our cows and pigs. Paul is a steward of the land, going to great lengths throughout the year to produce high-quality non-GMO feed for our animals. He also spends quite a bit of time selecting high-quality genetics for our cows. Through all of his efforts, Paul continually shapes the core health of our herd, resulting in cows that give milk with higher amounts of butterfat and protein. This, in turn, plays an important role in the rich flavors found in our dairy products.
When she isn’t caring for her growing extended family, Carmen spends time in the Kilgus Farmstead Country Store, greeting customers, providing product education, and handling meat orders and inventory management. She also leads the effort to keep the lawn and flower gardens outside the store looking beautiful and welcoming. She is the Secretary for Kilgus Dairy and contributes part-time in the creamery. Paul and Carmenās adult sons, Justin and Trent, are now partners in the business and their younger daughter, Carla, loves to help her brothers and Dad with chores whenever possible. Through Paul and Carmenās hard work and dedication to the farm, the family business matured into an agricultural tradition that their nephew, sons, and respective families would come to join them in.
Matt & Jenna Kilgus
Matt is Paulās nephew. At the young age of sixteen, Matt proudly chose to carry the Kilgus name in farming into yet another generation. After attending community college, he returned to Kilgus Dairy becoming a full partner in the business with his uncle, Paul. He and his wife, Jenna, and their three children now live across the road from the Kilgus Farmstead Creamery. Matt is the devoted Manager of Kilgus Farmstead. From bottling and deliveries to marketing and sales, Matt can always be found working hard to ensure the high quality and success of the Kilgus Farmstead dairy products. Along with Carmen, Jenna plays a leading role at the Kilgus Farmstead Country Store. She also keeps the Farmstead books and develops marketing materials with Matt. Through farm tours and other special events, Jenna pours her knowledge and experience into consumer education. She teaches about the importance of farming, the enduring commitment of farmers to their land and animals, and knowing where your food comes from. Matt and Jennaās oldest daughter, Kamber, loves to help in the store. Kamber and Carla also enjoy giving tours during the summer months and showing off their favorite cows! Matt and Jenna also have a son, Collin, who can be found working in the field with his daddy, and Kelsey is their youngest daughter.
Justin & Kaylee Kilgus
Paul and Carmenās oldest son, Justin, and his wife, Kaylee live on the farm where many of the goats reside. Through remarkable creativity and partnership, Justin and his younger brother, Trent, co-founded the goat meat business in their teenage years. The two young and ambitious entrepreneurs began raising a small goatherd for a 4-H project. At that time, they never could have anticipated how wildly successful this venture would turn out to be! Their goat meat business has turned into a highly sought-after component of the Kilgus Farmstead product line, securing both young men leadership positions within the family business. Justin now manages the wholesale meat division of Kilgus Farmstead, which includes sales of our Jersey beef, Berkshire pork, and Boer goat meat products to a variety of well-known, high-end Chicago restaurants. Justin also assists at the creamery in the milk bottling process. Kaylee helps to staff special events at the farmstead and especially enjoys assisting in caring for the newborn goat kids. Justin and Kaylee are the parents of three young children: Andrew, Kate, and Aiden.
Trent & Kayla Kilgus
Trent is Paul and Carmenās second-born son. Alongside his brother, Justin, Trent is dedicated to fulfilling the needs of the Kilgus Farmstead goat meat business. He is also the Feed Herd Manager for Kilgus Dairy, and is responsible for mixing and delivering a high nutrient diet ration to our dairy cows daily. Trent is passionate about taking excellent care of each cow through milking, feeding, exercising, and generally tending to the needs and overall comfort of each individual cow and calf. Trent also works closely with the dairy herdās genetics and the Kilgus Dairy show animals. Trentās wife, Kayla, is a full-time dental hygienist but enjoys helping out on the family farm whenever she is able to. From milking cows to staffing the Kilgus Farmstead Country Store, Kayla is always glad to lend a hand. They are the parents of one young son, Ryker.