Our Story
Three generations of Schochs work on the farm
The Schoch Family
The first Schoch Dairy dates back to the mid-1800s, founded by the first Hans Schoch in Bauma, Switzerland. The family endured in Europe until his grandson, Hans Schoch the third, emigrated to the United States in 1955. After arriving at Ellis Island, Hans traveled to Salinas, California and worked with his Swiss uncles. He married Sally and purchased a 78-acre dairy in Helvetia, Oregon, a picturesque farming community settled by Swiss immigrants in the 1800s. Together, Hans and Sally raised three children, Stephanie, Dave, and Mark on the farm.
Dave and Casey
Dave and Casey Schoch are the current owners of the Schoch dairy. Dave (Hans David Schoch) is the great-grandson of the first Hans and grew up on the Helvetia property. He was driving tractors at 7 years old and worked alongside his father throughout his youth, milking cows and learning dairy operations. After graduating from college, he landed a job as a mechanical engineer and spent five years traveling abroad for his firm. Despite his successful career, Dave never stopped thinking about returning to the farm one day.
Dave and Casey Schoch
After Dave and Casey were married in 1990, they went into partnership with his parents to continue the family business. They have four sons who are all attached to the land and their family-farming background. Each son has been involved in the daily operation of the dairy and have been enthusiastic 4-H members, showing their dairy cows at county and state fairs.
Teaching people about our process and taking an active and involved role in our community has been a core value for the Schoch family for more than 40 years. The Schochs have "loaned" dairy cows to many local children over the years to provide them the opportunity through 4-H to learn about cows and dairy farming. They have also invited hundreds of preschool and elementary school-aged kids to tour the farm to learn about cows and milk.
Schochs in California
Did you see another Schoch Dairy in California? Yes, the family on that farm is related—they are the cousins of Hans Schoch. Brothers Adolph and Ernest emigrated from Switzerland and established the farm in 1944. Their children now run the farm.
The Schoch Family Farmstead is in Salinas, California on Highway 101 and is renown for excellent cheeses. Click here for more information.