Valley Queen Cheese, founded by Swiss immigrants, has grown from humble beginnings to becoming South Dakota's largest employer. Founded by Alfred Nef and Alfred Gonzenbach 95 years ago, the company is expanding rapidly, with plans to increase milk processing capacity from 5 million to 8 million pounds by 2025.
Valley Queen's success can be attributed to its founders and families, who passed down the company's leadership to Rudy Nef and Max Gonzenbach. Today, their granddaughters, Annelies Seffrood and Trudi Robel, continue the company's legacy of "good cheese" and community involvement
Although not involved in the plant's daily operations, the women remain active in the company's charitable foundation and a local dairy farm, keeping the family's connection to the cheese plant alive. Fond memories of their youth include the delightful taste of "squeaky cheese" and sampling cheese sticks, all while contributing to the family's cheese-making endeavors.
Valley Queen's expansion project includes a new receiving building, a warehouse, and a state-of-the-art cheese plant. To meet the demand for more milk at the expanded facility, several new or expanding dairies are being prepared in the region.
The success of Valley Queen Cheese stands as a testament to the vision and hard work of its founders, who believed in producing high-quality cheese and giving back to the community. Their dedication to agriculture and community involvement earned them the prestigious Governor's Ag Ambassador Award, recognizing their impact on South Dakota's dairy industry.
From a small brick building to a successful dairy enterprise, Valley Queen Cheese's journey exemplifies the American dream and the power of good cheese to create strong bonds within the community. Today, the company stands as a shining example of Swiss ingenuity and South Dakota's dairy industry growth, all while remaining committed to its founding principle - making "good cheese.
Photo Credit: Valley Queen Cheese
Categories: South Dakota, Livestock, Dairy Cattle