What began as an FFA project with three dairy cows for Bob Ohlde has grown into a thriving operation spanning three farms over the course of 31 years. One of these farms, Prairieland Dairy, is in Firth, Neb.
Guided by the vision statement, “To enrich the community and environment in which we serve,” the family-owned and operated farm works to produce high-quality milk while supporting its community and protecting the environment.
Darren Mueller, site manager at Prairieland Dairy, has been with the dairy for a decade. The farm operates 24/7, milking about 2,000 cows with the help of 35 employees. Despite the demanding nature of the business, the farm remains committed to its mission.
How to partner for sustainability
Prairieland Gold, another entity within Ohlde Family Farms, exemplifies the farm’s dedication to sustainability. This operation transforms food scraps from Lincoln Public Schools, pet food, organic waste from local businesses and dairy cow manure into nutrient-rich compost.
The compost is then used in the farm’s fields and sold to area producers as fertilizer, offering a new purpose for products that might otherwise end up in landfills.
By collaborating with the community and focusing on sustainability, Prairieland Gold is making a meaningful impact. Farmers worldwide understand the importance of caring for the land to ensure the longevity of their operations, and Prairieland Dairy is no exception.
“We take pride in taking care of our environment. Farmers do a really good job,” Mueller said. “We understand this is where we live. It's our home, and we want to take care of it and leave it better for the next generation.”
The composting process involves coordination with local businesses and landowners. Mueller explained how the operation works: “We have a depack machine that takes all the packaging out of [the waste], and then we mix that with our cow manure,” he said. “We add carbon, such as mulch or cornstalks, and then we can make fertilizer to help grow crops.”
The process takes 12 to 16 weeks, during which moisture, temperature and carbon dioxide levels are monitored to ensure the production of high-quality fertilizer. Additionally, water extracted from the compost is repurposed to flush barns or applied to fields as fertilizer, further enhancing sustainability efforts.
Prairieland Gold’s reputation for excellence in composting has grown organically through word of mouth.
“We didn’t really reach out to anybody,” Mueller said. “We have tried to be the best steward of it and developed a reputation for being good at it. I also think people want to be involved with this sustainability mission.”
Supporting the community
Beyond its environmental efforts, Prairieland Farms contributes significantly to the local economy. Mueller said a study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that each dairy cow generates $14,000 for the local economy, underscoring the importance of dairy farms to rural communities.
The farm also invests in the next generation of agriculturalists.
“We try to be very active in our local communities. We provide sponsorships and scholarships to local seniors here and the entire Ohlde Family Farms footprint,” Mueller said. “We also have been handing out free ice cream at the Firth Fun Day for several years, ultimately trying to be as active as we can be in small communities.”
Through these efforts, Prairieland Farms has become more than just a dairy operation. It is a cornerstone of the community, lifting those around it.
Overcoming challenges
Like many farmers and ranchers, Prairieland Dairy faces challenges that are often beyond its control. One such issue is the lingering impact of southern rust, which affected silage quality in 2025 and continues to pose challenges in 2026.
“Southern rust that southeast Nebraska had was bad, especially late here,” Mueller said. “Challenges that happened last year are still affecting us today.”
Milk prices have also been a concern, with lower-than-desired rates throughout the first quarter of 2026. However, Mueller remains optimistic about the summer months.
“The milk price is not very good, but it is kind of looking up through the second quarter into the third, but margins are still thin,” he said.
Labor shortages are another hurdle for dairy farms nationwide. Prairieland Dairy addresses this issue by supporting its employees, including providing housing.
Prairieland Farms exemplifies the values of sustainability, community support and environmental stewardship. From transforming waste into fertilizer to investing in local communities, the farm is making a difference in Nebraska and beyond. To learn more about Prairieland Dairy, visit its website.
Processing expansion
Nebraska’s dairy industry faces additional challenges because of the limited number of processing facilities in the state.
However, Darren Mueller, site manager at Prairieland Dairy near Firth, is optimistic about the new Dari LLC aseptic bottling plant being built at Seward, which will reduce transport costs for producers in southeast Nebraska.
As a member of the Nebraska State Dairy Association, Mueller is working with others in the industry to find solutions that will help dairy operations thrive.
Kris Bousquet, executive director of NSDA, said that many of those dairy processing expansions are in the works.
“Nebraska continues to build momentum for growth following the groundbreaking last June on the Dari LLC plant,” he said. “Recently, Nebraska Dairy purchased the Henningsons’ food facility in David City and is currently converting it to a butter and mild powder facility. This is a huge deal for the dairy industry, as there is now another butter plant in the state that will buy cream and eventually buy raw milk from dairies.”
Bousquet said that a cheese plant is under construction now in Decatur, which will be manufacturing Gouda-style cheeses for local grocery stores and marketing out of its own storefront. In addition, Actus Nutrition in Norfolk is continually expanding and improving its facility.
A bill recently passed through Nebraska Legislature sets aside funds from an EPA grant to help Norfolk with funding a new wastewater management facility. This facility, with 50% funding coming from Actus and the city of Norfolk, will offer additional capacity for the city and allow expansion of the existing dairy processing industry there, plus the recruitment of new processors to the area.
“We have also seen an increase in dairy farmers starting the process to build, to support the growth in processing,” Bousquet said. “We will see multiple larger dairies being built, as well as expansions of existing dairy farms,” thanks in part to technology and efficiency, because most of those will utilize robotics.