Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy was founded in 1946 by Carl Pagel, who returned home after serving in World War II and purchased the family homestead. With just 8 milking cows, a few chickens, and some pigs, Carl and his wife, Garnet, began building a farm rooted in hard work and family values.

The youngest of Carl and Garnet’s seven children, John Pagel, grew up with a passion for the dairy. Determined to carry on the family legacy, he attended UW–Madison’s Farm Short Course Program and purchased the farm from his parents in 1980, then milking 65 cows on 320 acres. John’s vision for innovation and growth fueled decades of expansion. After a barn fire in 1984, he rebuilt and grew the herd to 100 cows. By 2001, the dairy had expanded to 1,500 cows, followed by the construction of a 72-stall rotary parlor and new office in 2009, which allowed the farm to milk 4,000 cows. In 2015, the family added a cheese plant, bringing their farm-fresh products directly to consumers. Today, Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy milk 5,500 cows, and employs about 150 dedicated team members.

In 2019, the Pagel Family Businesses was created to bring together all of the family’s operations under one umbrella. This includes Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy, Dairy Dreams, Clyde Hill Calf Ranch, Coleman Ponderosa, Daybreak Dairy, Hilltop Ponderosa, Heifer Dreams, Pagel’s Ponderosa Cropping, Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese, Coleman Ponderosa Dairy, and PFB Transport. United by a shared mission and a legacy of innovation, the Pagel Family Businesses continues to grow while staying true to its family farm roots.