Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell, and Michelle Kichline, along with members of the Chester County Agricultural Development Council (Ag Council), presented two annual agriculture awards at Birchrun Hills Farm in Chester Springs. 

The 2023 Chester County Farmers of the Year award was presented to the Miller family, Ken and Sue Miller, and their sons Randy and Jesse, who own and operate Birchrun Hills Farm, a dairy and cheesemaking business. The Millers were recognized for their dynamic business model, commitment to sustainable farming practices, and local food system advocacy.

First generation dairy farmers Ken and Sue Miller started farming in 1980 when Chester County farmland was plentiful to lease and milk prices were strong. After weathering years of volatile milk prices and rising land costs, they took a chance on cheesemaking in 2006 to secure a more stable future for their farm.

Sue, the primary cheesemaker, credits support from Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, cheesemaking mentor Peter Dickson of Parish Hill Creamery in Vermont, and Di Bruno Brothers gourmet shops in Philadelphia for her early successes.

“It wasn’t easy for us to start making cheese,” Sue said. “Randy and Jesse were so young back then, and it took many special relationships with fellow farmers and a lot of family cooperation to allow us to explore this new venture.”

Ken, one of the first no-till farmers in the county, oversees the crop-growing side of their business using sustainable farming practices to feed their 80-cow herd on owned and leased land. He is forever mindful of the watershed he and his family are stewards of and how the quality of the land and water is reflected in the flavors of the cheese they produce.

Birchrun Hills award-winning cheeses have a strong following with chefs, food critics, and specialty retailers across the region. Cheese fans can find them at the Phoenixville, Bryn Mawr, Kennett Square, and Headhouse farmers markets, and at their regular cheese and wine on-farm happy hours. They’ve even branched into hosting virtual cheese-tasting events.

The Miller family is grateful for the ongoing support from their neighbors, friends, and farmers market customers as they look to eventually transition the farm to their sons. The next generation of the Miller family currently oversees Birchrun Hills’ herd management, farmers market operations and assist Ken with the crops. Together the family compliments each other’s skill sets and challenges one another to strive for excellence in all they do.

“We love connecting people with their food and what better way to do that than feeding them really good food on the farm where it’s made,” said Sue. “We encourage people to get to know us and see how we raise the cows, and to truly appreciate the land our food comes from.”

Learn more at the County of Chester.

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