For more than 60 years, Heim’s Hillcrest Dairy has been built on one simple foundation: family. What began as a small dairy farm with 30 cows has grown into a multi-generational operation rooted in hard work, innovation, animal care, and a deep commitment to agriculture — all while maintaining the same “family feel” that has defined the farm from the very beginning.
The story of Heim’s Hillcrest Dairy began in 1963 when Ray and Florence Heim purchased the 160-acre farm from Henry Mak. Before owning the farm, Ray and Florence had worked there for years as employees. Although they had owned a farm in Ellisville for 12 years, they loved the property and eagerly seized the opportunity to make it their own. After selling the Ellisville farm, they started their family dairy with just 30 cows, laying the foundation for generations to come.
In 1976, their son Lloyd and his wife Joyce took over the operation with a vision of continuing and growing the family legacy. The herd had grown to 50 cows, and together they expanded the farm by purchasing additional acreage and remodeling the barn to support more cows and young stock. Over the following years, the farm steadily grew, adding land, improving facilities, and embracing new technology. In 1982, they installed Kewaunee County’s first gravity-flow manure system — a non-mechanical system that remains in use today.
Like all farms, Heim’s Hillcrest Dairy experienced challenges along the way. A severe drought in 1988 tested the family’s resilience, forcing them to supplement feed with swamp grass after poor hay yields. But the greatest challenge came in 1995 when a devastating fire destroyed the original tie-stall barn and claimed all of the young stock. The tragedy forced Lloyd and Joyce to reflect deeply on their future and their dreams for the farm. Rather than walk away, they chose to rebuild.
In 1996, the current dairy operation was born. Lloyd and Joyce rebuilt with determination, constructing a 204-stall freestall barn and a new Bou Matic parlor. That same year, their sons Scott and Jeremy returned home to the farm, bringing with them fresh energy and a shared passion for carrying the family tradition forward. Together, the family milked 200 cows on May 14, marking the beginning of a new era for Heim’s Hillcrest Dairy.
The years that followed were marked by growth, innovation, and family teamwork. Barn expansions increased herd capacity, additional land was purchased, and modern feeding and manure systems were introduced. In 2000, Heim’s Hillcrest Dairy LLC was officially formed by Lloyd, Scott, and Jeremy.
Around the same time, Carrie (Thiry) Heim, who had worked part-time on the farm through high school, stepped into the role of Herd Manager (now Scott’s wife). Her passion for animal care and commitment to herd health quickly became an essential part of the farm’s success — a role she still proudly holds today.
As the family continued to grow, so did the farm. In 2003, the family purchased the Slovan farm, moving all young stock there and allowing additional space for cows at the home farm. By 2008, the herd had grown large enough to require another major barn expansion and a second manure pit. Despite the long hours and constant work, the Heim family always found ways to enjoy the journey together — including turning the unfinished manure pit into a temporary kickball field for some unforgettable family fun.
Throughout every stage of growth, one principle remained constant: healthy, comfortable cows are the key to a successful dairy. That commitment drove continuous improvements to cow comfort, ventilation, herd monitoring, and calf care. In 2012, calves returned to the home farm after years at a custom calf grower, allowing the family to take a more hands-on role in raising the next generation of cattle. The following year, Jeremy’s daughter Kiley joined the farm full-time to manage the calf program. Having grown up on the farm, Kiley understood from an early age that calf health and animal welfare were always top priorities. 
The family’s entrepreneurial spirit also led to the creation of Heim Brothers Custom in 2015. Seeing a growing need in Kewaunee County and surrounding areas for custom manure hauling and field services, Scott and Jeremy started the business with just six customers. Over time, Heim Brothers Custom expanded to provide manure transportation, crop harvesting, trucking, and other custom services while focusing on environmental responsibility and nutrient management.
The next generation continued stepping into larger roles on the farm. In 2020, Lloyd and Joyce’s oldest son Rod returned to the farm after many years away, taking on the role of Shop Manager and helping oversee the maintenance and safety of the growing fleet of equipment. That same year, the dairy invested in the Allflex Collar System to better monitor herd health and built a new calf barn with automatic feeders and a controlled environment designed to keep calves healthy and thriving.
As the farm evolved, so did its focus on sustainability and efficiency. In 2021, the family built a larger, more efficient shop to support both Heim’s Hillcrest Dairy and Heim Brothers Custom. They also took a major step toward carbon neutrality by partnering with the NEW Manure Digester in Denmark, Wisconsin. Around this same time, the next generation officially began joining the operation through Youth Apprenticeship Programs. Jeremy’s son Ben and Rod’s son Sam each joined the farm during high school before transitioning into full-time roles in field operations and Heim Brothers Custom.
In 2022, another major project was completed with the construction of a tunnel-ventilated maternity barn featuring advanced technology that automatically controls lighting, fans, and curtains to provide the best possible environment for cows and calves. Additional improvements followed in the years ahead, including expanded offices, new calf facilities, and drone technology.
By 2026, the farm entered yet another new chapter when Carrie, Kiley, Ben, and Sam officially became partners in the operation. The heard has grown to more than 1600 cows milking in a new state of the art 60-stall BouMatic Rotary Parlor and barn. Additional calf and heifer barns were also built to house additional livestock. More than six decades after Ray and Florence first purchased the farm, the next generation continues building upon the same values that started it all.
While much has changed over the years — from 30 cows in a tie-stall barn to a modern dairy and custom farming business — the heart of Heim’s Hillcrest Dairy remains the same. Family continues to guide every decision, from caring for calves and cows to supporting employees, customers, neighbors, and the local community.
For the Heim family, farming has never simply been a job. It is a way of life, a shared passion, and a legacy they are proud to continue for generations to come.