The Swiss Connection: A Family Affair

The first time I met Kate Yegerlehner was nearly two years ago at the Traders Point Creamery's Farmers' Market. She moved with quiet efficiency as she filled orders for a long line of customers waiting at her family's booth. As she handed me my cheeses that day, little did I know that the smiling, gracious young woman had a central role in producing them.

Last week I had a chance to talk with Kate, the seventh generation of her family to work on the Yegerlehner family farm, and discovered that behind her shy smile there's a woman who has always known exactly what she wanted and was unwilling to compromise even an inch to get it.

"I have a passion for cows and farming. I never wanted to leave the farm after I graduated from high school. Even as a small child, I was very focused--I knew what I wanted for my life. I really never explored other career options or even thought much about them. My parents had to literally push me out the door to go to college. The minute I graduated from Purdue, I came back right here." "Here" is The Swiss Connection, the Yegerlehner farm in Clay City, Indiana. Founded by David and Magdalena Jegerlehner in 1860, the farm is currently owned and operated by Kate's parents Mary and Alan Yegerlehner. Kate has two younger brothers, Luke and Jess, who have chosen careers outside the family farm.

"The cows are my forte," Kate told me as she described her role in the family business. Admitting that she has yet to master the stellar cheese making abilities of her parents she joked, "Honestly, I'm not that great in the kitchen, but I love being outside with the cows. I hope my parents aren't planning on retiring anytime soon because I'm in no hurry to get to the cheese making part of this business!"

The milk used in The Swiss Connection cheeses is from cows that are 100% grass fed and raised without the use of hormones or antibiotics. In addition to a large variety of handmade cheeses (my favorite is all of them), The Swiss Connection also offers grass-fed beef and specialty meats (my husband is a fan of every one of them--especially the Smokey Beef Stix and Sliced Pepperoni), ice cream (if pressed to pick a favorite I am going with the Cherry Nut), and raw pet foods. Kate notes that very few dairies in the country offer products from 100% grass fed cows. She says that the 100% grass fed cows' milk is more concentrated with butterfat, protein, vitamins, and minerals than grain fed animals and attributes the unique, fresh flavors of their cheeses and other farm products, in part, to that strategy.

Kate is open to what the coming years may hold for her and the family operation. Guided by a strong faith and a firm commitment to hard work, she says that she is trusting the path on which she has been placed and as far as the future goes she says, "I love it here. I hope we can continue this business for a long, long time." I would imagine her customers enthusiastically share that thought.

You may purchase The Swiss Connection's products at a number of farmers' markets, retail outlets, on-line, and their on-site farm store. Click here to find out more about these locations and/or how to order on line and have products shipped directly to you.

The Swiss Connection
1363 East CR550S
Clay City, Indiana
Phone: 812-939-2813
Fax:812-939-2813
www.swissconnectioncheese.com
alan@swissconnectioncheese.com

Photos: Courtesy of Kate Yegerlehner
Photo 1: Kate and Zeta
Photo 2: From left to right: Alan, Mary, Jess, Kate, and Luke along with Deugan (the adorable,furry,four legged, and according to Kate, "spoiled rotten" greeter at the farm market store)
Photo 3: Alan and Kate in the field