At Morning Fresh Dairy Farm, sustainability is more than a business strategy. It is a commitment passed down through generations.
The fifth-generation family dairy farm has built its operation around a simple principle: Care for the land today so future generations can continue farming tomorrow. That philosophy has helped them evolve from a traditional dairy farm operation into a modern agricultural business that produces, bottles and distributes milk while growing a national yogurt brand, Noosa.
“The only reason we're able to produce as much as we do today is because my grandparents took care of the land, and so we want to be able to keep doing that,” said Amber Graves, fifth-generation improvement engineer at Morning Fresh Dairy Farm.
From manual labor to modern agriculture
Like many family farms, Morning Fresh Dairy Farm operations have evolved over the decades.
Previous generations operated the farm through manual labor-intensive processes. Today, many of those functions are automated.
Modern operations depend on technology to improve efficiency, productivity and animal care. That shift has increased the farm’s reliance on energy to power critical equipment and support around-the-clock operations.
“Nowadays, most things are automated, and you need power for that,” Amber Graves said.
Supporting growth through infrastructure investments
In the early 2010s, Morning Fresh Dairy Farm experienced significant growth through Noosa Yoghurt, which began as a small venture, with family members cooking fruit purees on their kitchen stove and selling the yogurt at local farmers markets.
As Noosa Yoghurt grew nationwide, increased production required new facilities, equipment and updated energy infrastructure to support their expansion.
At the time, much of the existing electrical infrastructure serving the farm was decades old, and both electric and natural gas systems were operating at capacity.
The longstanding relationship spanning more than 20 years between the farm and its Xcel Energy representatives created continuity across generations, allowing both organizations to work together toward shared goals.
“By being able to grow and get the infrastructure installed, that's a lot of the reason Noosa is a success story,” Amber Graves said.
Reliable energy powers around-the-clock operations
Reliable energy remains critical to the dairy farm’s success.
The farm operates continuously, milking cows all day, every day using a rotary milking system that depends on consistent electric service. Maintaining uninterrupted operations helps ensure productivity, efficiency and product quality.
“With reliable energy, we're able to operate 24/7,” Amber Graves said.
That reliability has enabled Morning Fresh Dairy Farm to continue growing while meeting the demands of modern food production.
Investing in renewable energy
In addition to upgrading infrastructure, Morning Fresh Dairy Farm has invested in renewable energy solutions to support its sustainability goals.
Morning Fresh Dairy Farm recently installed an on-site solar energy system that provides additional power while helping reduce its environmental footprint.
The combination of reliable utility service and renewable energy generation allows the dairy to meet increasing energy needs while supporting long-term sustainability efforts.
Building a legacy for future generations
For more than two decades, Morning Fresh Dairy Farm and Xcel Energy have worked together to support the farm’s evolving needs.
That partnership, spanning three generations of the Graves family, has helped modernize operations, expand production and strengthen a commitment to sustainability.
“It is amazing what they have done out here,” an Xcel Energy representative said. “It's just a great relationship that we've created over 20-plus years.”
Looking ahead, the family expects future generations to continue prioritizing stewardship and sustainability, while using their reliable energy efficiently.
“When the next generation takes over, I do believe they will also be invested in sustainability,” Amber Graves said. “That's the whole reason why we're still here. That's why we're at generations five and six.”
For Morning Fresh Dairy Farm, sustainability is more than an operational goal. It is a commitment to preserving a family legacy, caring for their land and animals, and ensuring the farm can continue serving their community for years to come.