Willow-Brook Farms

Willow Brook Farm was purchased in 1943 by Engel & Joachim Beneke. This purchase was preceded by years of owning and operating a German style deli in Brooklyn. Seeking the beauty and peacefulness of the country, Joachim and Engel chose what they found to be the most beautiful section of the Hudson Valley Corridor and began a life of dairy farming.

Joachim's son Henry Beneke, with the help of wife Carol, has continued to build and improve upon the herd at Willow-Brook. With goals of improving longevity and type within the herd, they have been successful. Willow-Brook has had 3 All-American animals as wells as numerous All-NY selections.

Ken Beneke is the third generation to work Willow-Brook Farm and has added his own touch to the herd. He has improved the feeding program and used technology to increase production and has had 3 cows exceed 50,000#.

Following a partial herd dispersal in 2000, Ken has rebuilt the herd and formed a partnership with Peter Vail, a longtime family friend, to add a Jersey component to the herd. The Jersey component is known as Oblong-Valley Jerseys and has already enjoyed much success in the show ring as well as production and excellent type conformation.

Willow Brook is comprised of 400 owned acres and 300 rented acres. Approximately 150 cows are milked with 100 of them being Holsteins and 50 Jerseys.

Willow Brook is located in a beautiful valley in Eastern New York. Carol has a small flock of sheep pictured to the right. Below are some photos taken after a storm in the summer and a rainbow has appeared.

Crop harvest operation is shown below

Chopping Corn in the fall

Chopping hay in the summer

Silage Storage

Packing the silage