Tucked away in the northeast corner of South Dakota you’ll find cornstalks, jackrabbits and a 130-year-old dairy operation that runs on passion, perseverance and a focus on finding the right people. This dynamic trifecta is what makes up the unparalleled culture of MoDak Dairy in Goodwin, S.D.
On any given day, brothers and co-owners Greg and Jim Moes, along with Greg’s son, Jacob, the farm’s herd manager, can be found working alongside their 40-plus employees on the operation. What started as 30 cows and a tiestall barn quickly grew to 2,600 head and a parlor. And while the growth has been substantial, the Moeses recognize that none of it would have been possible without the help and buy-in from their dedicated employees.
A Family Dynamic
For most, the word family is used to describe a person who is directly related to you. At MoDak Dairy, however, the definition stretches wider than that.
“I like to say that we have 40-some family members working here on the farm,” Greg says. “Each one of our employees is like family to us. We have people who have been with us for 35 years. We don’t just have employees; we have husbands, wives, kids, daughters, uncles and aunts all working here on this operation, and they’re the main driver behind our success.”
From the calf barn to the parlor and all the areas in-between, the Moes work hard to ensure their employees are working in the position that best fits their wants and needs.
“We spend a lot of time making sure we have the right people in the right place,” Jacob says. “If somebody is going to be with us for a long time, we have to make sure that we’re putting them in the right spot for them to grow and, more importantly, for them to enjoy the job.”
For the family, having regular conversations with team members is an essential piece of the equation that makes MoDak Dairy operate so smoothly. Taking time to gather their employees’ thoughts and have meaningful discussions not only helps further the operation’s achievements but deepens the relationship MoDak has with the individuals who work on the farm.
The same can be said for MoDak’s team of trusted advisers and consultants.
“We put a lot of trust into our consultants; they’re there to help us make the big decisions for the future of our farm,” Greg adds. “They’re a valuable piece of the equation. Having the right team members surrounding you just works better for everyone.”
As the family has grown their business, they strive for continuous improvement and look for ways to make the most of their resources. An example of this is when the family decided to dive further into the beef-on-dairy sector. Instead of trying to navigate an unfamiliar market on their own, the Moeses enlisted the help of their lender, Farm Credit Services of America, to help them make sound business decisions.
“We communicate with them regularly so they can help us map out a plan,” Greg adds. “The beef market can be a different ballgame, so having another set of eyes on the business allows us to address challenges that we might not have seen and identify new opportunities to jump on. Prioritizing our people, whether they work for us as an employee or as a consultant, is what has really allowed us to drive our operation forward.”
When MoDak Dairy first began more than a century ago, family was the heart and soul of the operation. Today, that motto still rings true as the family stretches the limbs of their family tree wider to incorporate not only themselves, but their valued employees as well.
