You know that love is involved when there are dairy cows in the wedding pictures-a shared love of dairy anyway. That love runs deep through family generations for Brett and Jessica Dixon, owners of Stil Dreamn Dairy located near Morgan in #Agri-Ready Designated Laclede County. Brett, Jessica, and their son, Diesel, care for their Ayrshire and Guernsey dairy cows 365 days a year. The cows spend their days grazing pasture and several produce A2A2 milk, which contains a different type of protein that is often sought by customers with lactose intolerance. The Dixons sell cheese made from their unique milk and are planning to bottle fluid A2A2 milk to sell direct-to-consumers. This committed dairy family whole-heartedly believes that sweet dreams are made of cheese, and that life is cheddar on the (dairy) farm.

Generations of Dairy

Jessica Dixon is a third-generation dairywoman; she grew up in the dairy business with her parents in Southwest Missouri, showing Ayrshire cattle as a youth. Brett is a fifth-generation dairyman. His family originally farmed near the eastern shore of Maryland but relocated their world-famous Guernsey herd to Missouri to escape urban sprawl in 2001. With such a small community of dairymen in Missouri, it is not surprising that Brett and Jessica became acquainted. Their dreams began when they married in 2005.

A New Dairy Vision

With both of their families in the dairy business, Brett and Jessica were partners of separate farms until the timing was right and they started their own dairy and brand, Stil Dreamn Dairy, in 2011. They each brought extensive industry knowledge and passion to their new business, as well as devotion and loyalty to their favorite breeds, Ayrshires and Guernseys. Despite challenging dairy economics and a seemingly ever-present level of drought for the last several years, Brett and Jessica have not given up on building their dreams and producing dairy products that consumers need and love.

“For most of us on dairy farms, we love our cows. It’s a labor of love without a doubt,” Jessica shared. “We are excited to diversify and offer our own product directly to consumers. We can see the desire and demand from people to personally connect with farmers.”

What is A2A2 Milk?

Recognizing and meeting the consumers’ need for A2A2 milk is making it possible for the Dixons to build their own generational and financially sustainable family dairy. Beta Casein is the protein present in cow’s milk; variants of the protein are classified as A1 and A2. Some studies suggest that individuals with lactose intolerance can more easily digest milk that contains only the A2 Beta Casein protein. Dairy farmers like the Dixons can test the DNA of each cow to prove if her milk will only contain A2 protein. 

Local Cheese and Milk Direct to Consumer

Brett and Jessica only use A2A2 tested milk to be made into ‘Stil Dreamn A2A2 Cheddar’ which is produced by local artisan cheese maker, Adrian Buff of Grison Dairy. Stil Dreamn chesses are available in seasonal flavors; ‘Spicey Dreams’ is now available. (To find Stil Dreamn cheeses near you, click here.) Brett and Jessica’s milk is transported in milk cans to the creamery to be made into cheese. A small batch of their cheese begins as 400 pounds, or 45 gallons, of fluid milk which typically yields 45 pounds of cheese.

Stil Dreamn Dairy will soon be adding a fluid milk bottling plant to their farm. This addition will be the result of multiple years of hard work to secure funding and resources. Brett and Jessica are excited to offer more of their milk directly from the farm to consumers, specializing in their confirmed A2A2 fluid milk.

The Grazing Life for Ayrshires and Guernseys

No matter the season and despite drought periods, Stil Dreamn cows always enjoy better than average pastures because of the Dixons’ commitment for over a decade to forage development, soil health and care, and rotational grazing on their farm. Milk from Ayrshire and Guernsey cows stands out uniquely when compared to milk from other dairy breeds. Ayrshire milk has a naturally sweet taste and the fat globules in the milk are very small, comparable to goat’s milk. Smaller globules are more digestible and ideal for cheese making. Guernsey milk is known for having a thick, creamy texture and is famous for a natural golden color because it contains higher levels of Beta Carotene. Milk from both breeds is well known to have higher protein and butterfat content than milk from other breeds.

Dairy Industry Leaders

Stil Dreamn is a family affair, and Diesel contributes daily to the success of the farm. He enjoys showing cattle and recently exhibited at the World Dairy Expo for the first time. Diesel loves the cows; he can often be found helping maintain animal health or feeding to avoid spending time in the milking parlor. Not only are the Dixons making a difference for consumers with their niche products, they contribute to the dairy industry community through their focus on breeding excellent dairy cows. They sell embryos, semen and replacement cows with deep pedigrees and outstanding genetics, contributing to a rising tide for overall dairy quality and generating another stream of revenue for their farm. Brett and Jessica were inducted into the Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors in 2018 as Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeders.

More About the Dixon Family

The Dixons are members of the Central Equity Milk Cooperative and Missouri Dairy. Find a location to purchase Stil Dreamn A2A2 cheeses here. To learn more about the family and their dairy, visit www.stildreamndairy.com. While Brett is on the farm full-time, Jessica also works part-time at the Conway MFA. Brett’s sister, Katie, is involved with daily farm operations as well. The family is involved in Laclede County 4-H, a program of University of Missouri-Extension. Missouri Dairy, MFA, Inc., and University of Missouri-Extension are partners of Missouri Farmers Care.

Agri-Ready Designated Laclede County

According to the 2021 Missouri Economic Contribution of Agriculture and Forestry Study, Laclede County’s agriculture economy creates $184.4 million in value-added products, supports more than 3,000 jobs, and generates $165.7 million in household income. According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture conducted by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Laclede County ranks as the #4 county in Missouri for milk produced from cows.

Laclede County is one of 73 Agri-Ready Designated Counties in Missouri that are embracing agricultural opportunity, literacy, and economic development. The Agri-Ready County Designation program connects counties with Missouri Farmers Care to encourage and protect agriculture and secure it as a thriving component in our state’s economic future. Missouri Farmers Care is a joint effort by Missouri’s farming and agriculture community to stand together for the men and women who provide the food and jobs on which our communities depend.