Suzanne Mate’ and Dustin Nelson of Squire Farms shared the story behind their dairy operation, its locally produced foods, and future plans. For Mate’, the farming journey began far from Wyoming. Raised in Paris by musician parents, she developed an early love of horses before discovering agriculture. She left Paris for an agriculture-focused high school and eventually found her calling working with dairy cows.

Nelson brought a different background to the partnership. Raised around his family’s dairy operation in Freedom, he helped milk a herd of 120 cows before leaving to study mechanical engineering. His uncle sold the cows while he was away, and Nelson figured his milking days were behind him.

Then he met Mate’.

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The business took shape after Mate’ began selling homemade jams and jellies under the name Crème de la Crème in 2020. Bedford residents helped supply fruit, and sales in Jackson encouraged her to pursue her larger goal: dairy farming. Squire Farms followed in 2021.

Today, the couple milk A2A2 cows and process the milk themselves into yogurt and soft and hard cheeses. They sell through markets and retail relationships, while continuing a cheesemaking tradition once common throughout Star Valley.

The couple also emphasized the value of working alongside neighboring dairy producers rather than competing over identical products.

“Being a dairy farmer is hard enough,” Mate’ said. “We need all the support.”

For local customers, Mate’ recommended ordering through the farm’s website, squire.farm, or finding the business at upcoming craft fairs. She encouraged anyone having trouble navigating online ordering to call.

Looking ahead, the couple hopes to expand another part of their operation: Mangalitsa pigs. The animals consume dairy byproducts, and their fat can be used to make cosmetics.

For Mate’ and Nelson, that connection between the dairy and pigs represents an approach they want to develop further.

“That’s something that’s just really full circle that we love doing,” Mate’ shared.

To learn more visit www.squire.farm/.