Our story
Dairy Discovery was a dream started by Annie Link (Oesch) of Swisslane Farms. In 2006, Annie began welcoming classrooms to the farm to learn about where their food comes from and see a farm firsthand.
SWISSLANE FARMS opened their family farm to those pursuing an interest in learning more about modern dairy farming. The interest and need for sharing agriculture’s story was so strong that in 2018 Dairy Discovery officially became a non-profit. Dairy Discovery has focused on providing a personal connection to your food.
Dairy Discovery operates as a sustainable non-profit organization through the generous support of industry partners, sponsors, and a supportive community. Dairy Discovery offers programs, tours, and camps as well as hosting educational open house events. The Dairy Discovery Store also connects with consumers and offers beef, cheese, syrup, and agricultural books. All proceeds from the store support the non-profit efforts.
Swisslane Farms
Home to Dairy Discovery
In 1915, Swiss immigrant Fredrick Oesch bought 91 acres of land in Alto, Michigan with the dream of starting his own farm. In 1918, Fredrick married Lucy Wingier, the Swiss girl next door, and together they had six children. in 1950, SWISSLANE FARMS had just 24 cows on the farm. Fredrick and his eldest son, Joe, continued to farm together until Frederick’s death in 1968. By this time, Joe’s children had taken an interest in farming, and his eldest son, Fred knew he wanted to take devote his life to farming. Along with his brothers Jeff and Tom, Fred has kept his promise to run the farm and grow the Oesch family within it.
The farm has continued to grow and today has four locations and milk over 4,500 dairy cows. SWISSLANE FARM has nearly 100 employees, including many family members. Currently, 35 family members live within 2 miles of the main farm, located at its original location in Alto, Michigan.
SWISSLANE FARMS is also home to Dairy Discovery and hosts the non-profit’s demonstrative efforts right here on the farm.
This farm is more than a business, but a legacy stretched over a century and just as devoted as ever to dairy.
