Horse Creek Holsteins

The Johnson Family; Star Prairie, WI

Fifth-generation farmer Ted Johnson, his son Hans, and their family run Horse Creek
Holsteins in the heart of northwest Wisconsin, where caring for their cows, their land,
and their legacy go hand in hand.

For the Johnsons, great cheese begins long before it reaches the creamery. Together,
they raise healthy cows and care for the land that has sustained them for generations.
As members of the Horse Creek Watershed Group, they partner with neighboring
farms to protect local water by planting cover crops, maintaining grass waterways, and
preserving natural buffer strips—simple steps that make a big difference. Healthy soil,
clean water, and well-cared-for cows mean better milk—and better cheese.

Their milk is crafted into artisan cheese at Burnett Dairy Cooperative, where Ted
served a full 12-year term on the board, sharing his passion for sustainability and
stewardship with the co-op along the way.

From the barn to the fields to the creamery, every member of the Johnson family plays
a part in bringing wholesome, high-quality cheese to tables near and far—proving that
when a family works together, their impact reaches far beyond the farm.