Women in Dairy: Makenna Skiff

Tell us about your family and farm. My family owns and operates Gee-Aye Holsteins along with Farm Life Creamery. Our cows are milked with a Lely robotic milker, and all the milk produced by our herd is used directly for the products at the creamery, where we make cheese, ice cream and bottle milk. Our operation is very hands on and family driven. Day-to-day farm responsibilities are managed by my grandparents and me, while creamery operations are run by my uncle and his business partner, with the help of the three of us. The operation has allowed us to stay involved in every step of the process, from caring for the cows to producing high-quality dairy products for our customers.

What is a typical day like for you on the dairy? No two days are ever the same. On a typical day, I start by helping with chores. Daily chores include fetching cows, feeding calves and heifers, assisting with loading feed, scraping alleys and completing whatever tasks are on the list for the day. Like most dairies, no day is perfect, and a lot of time is spent troubleshooting and fixing issues, especially with our robotic milker. Once chores are finished, I spend a portion of the day at the creamery, helping with a variety of tasks to keep production and daily operations running smoothly.

What decision have you made in the last year that has benefited your farm? In the past year, I decided to return to the farm and creamery full time after graduating from South Dakota State University. This was a major decision that allowed me to take on a larger role in both the farm and creamery operations. Being back full time has provided additional support on the farm and positively influenced the future of the operation by ensuring continued involvement from the next generation.

Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. My most memorable experience has been working alongside my grandparents. I have learned so much from them, not only during my time working full time on the farm but throughout my entire life growing up around the dairy. Learning from their experience and dedication has shaped the way I approach my work and has made my time on the farm especially meaningful.

What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? I have really enjoyed making connections with others within the industry and using my background to advocate for dairy. Through my work on the farm and at the creamery, I have many opportunities to interact directly with customers and help educate them about where their dairy products come from. Something that still surprises me is how many people don’t know where their milk comes from, and I enjoy being able to share that knowledge and help bridge the gap between consumers and agriculture.

What is your biggest accomplishment in your dairy career? Throughout college, I had the opportunity to take on several leadership and advocacy roles that significantly shaped my dairy career. Much of my growth within the dairy industry came through serving as a dairy ambassador for Midwest Dairy for two years, where I helped educate consumers and advocate for the dairy industry through events, outreach and one-on-one conversations. Additionally, I served on the executive boards for both the SDSU Dairy Club and SDSU Little International, where I helped plan events, support fellow students and promote student involvement in dairy.

What things do you do to promote your farm or the dairy industry? I use our creamery’s social media platforms to share our products, educate about several different topics and give people a behind-the-scenes look at our farm. I also enjoy talking with customers at the farm store, farmers market and even in everyday conversations when dairy comes up.

What advice would you give another woman in the dairy industry? Set aside time for yourself and with the people you love. Even if it is just a night on the town, it is so important to be able to separate farm/work life and social life. Dairy farming is demanding, but making time to step away is essential. Creating that balance between farm life and personal life will help you show up as your best self.

What is a challenge in the dairy industry you have faced, and how did you overcome it? My biggest challenge has been transitioning from being a full-time student to working full time on the farm. Learning how to enjoy a social life without feeling like I am letting the farm down has been difficult, but it has also pushed me to grow, set boundaries and find a healthier balance between work and personal life.

When you get a spare moment, what do you do? I enjoy spending time with my family, especially when we can get outdoors together. I recently found a passion for cooking and have been trying different recipes to add to my rotation. And, when I have a little extra time, I enjoy getting creative and doing my nails, even if they do not always last as long as I would like with farm life.