Small Farm Becomes Big Attraction

Living ten minutes away from Young’s Jersey Dairy made it the go to place for celebrating Birthdays or Tuesdays. Over the years, Young’s has changed and expanded most significantly. Starting out selling fresh Jersey milk to the locals, the Young family could never have imagined their farm as the booming business it is today. Their famous ice cream was being served out of the newly built dairy store in 1960. The Young’s kept growing their business to include a bakery, eventually expanding into a new building. Not only could visitors buy milk, cheese, and ice cream, but baked goods and sandwiches too. Young’s was shaping into a farm style restaurant and developing rapidly, accommodating the increase in visitors. They even built a full service restaurant, embracing the country life that surrounds it.

1979 Dairy Store Dining Room

Food is not the only attraction at Young’s. The 1990s saw many activities emerge, including the miniature golf course, driving range, and batting cage. Plus, people have the opportunity to feed the goats and visit some of the animals in the barn. The Jersey cows can usually be seen in the fields and are the iconic image for Young’s, especially the big plastic one on top of the sign. This place offers so much, and the community benefits from having Young’s where families spend time together and friends hang out, enjoying each other’s company, for the most part. Every time I drive past, the parking lot is full and the attractions are crowded, and despite the very touristy feel, it still holds onto those family owned ideals.

1962 Aerial View

This small town farm turned into a landmark recognizable across the state. When I tell people I am from Yellow Springs I receive a number of responses, including, “is that the quirky, hippie town” or “that’s where Young’s is.” Well, something along those lines. The point is that, Young’s Jersey Dairy is well known, at least in the state of Ohio, and is a mixture of a small town farm and theme park. As touristy as it is, those country roots reflect the change in the community from farm to business.

By Julie Hale

Source

“History of Young’s Jersey Dairy.” Young’s Jersey Dairy. Accessed October 12, 2017.

            https://youngsdairy.com/our-history/.