After starting his career in food manufacturing — at a dairy manufacturing plant that produced milk powder — Scott Imboden gained an in-depth understanding of how high-quality dairy makes it from farm to table.

“I never had any intent of getting into manufacturing, but it quickly grew into something that I really liked,” he says. “Especially working in the lab and running the tests as a quality manager. I liked understanding how the process worked and what our lab techs were responsible for. The science of it was really fascinating to me.”

That experience took on new meaning when Scott joined his father, Les, as first-generation owners of a dairy farm in Ohio. With an entrepreneur’s eyes, Les saw opportunity in a dairy operation that needed a fresh start, and Scott brought a background in business, quality systems, and manufacturing. Together, they transformed the dairy into a successful business focused on producing high-quality milk.

“I like seeing something that needs to be repaired and thinking, ‘I can fix that,’” Les says. “It’s not just turning a wrench on a tractor. It’s turning a business model that’s not working into one that does work. That’s a lot of fun.”

Today, they oversee four Ohio dairies between them and work alongside dedicated teams of employees. Scott’s experience on both the farm and processing sides of the dairy industry helps guide his approach to producing quality milk and caring for all the people who make it possible, including the workers who receive his farms’ milk at their plants.

“We try to always keep plant employees in mind too,” Scott says. “We want to make their job easier. As dairy farmers, we try to make decisions that we know will affect them in a positive way.”

From caring for cows to working with employees and supporting the dairy plants that process his milk, Scott believes every step plays a role in delivering quality dairy products to families. It’s a perspective that continues to shape the way he farms every day and will continue for years to come.