The smell of fresh waffle cones drifting across a parking lot is enough to stop anyone in their tracks. I pulled in for a single scoop of ice cream and ended up staying most of the afternoon.
Goats called from the barn. Kids raced toward a giant slide.
A carousel played cheerful music in the distance. Ohio has a farm that has been drawing crowds for generations, and it almost disappeared during the Great Depression.
The family that bought it back after World War II slowly turned it into one of the state’s most beloved stops. Cheese curds, cows, and homemade ice cream fill the menu.
Hours slip away without notice. This is a place where simple pleasures and hard work meet.
The line moves fast, and nobody seems to mind the wait. Children run free, and adults remember what it felt like to be a kid.
Grab a napkin, because the story comes with a whole lot of heart.
A Farm Lost, Then Won Back
Few things made me appreciate my cone more than learning how close this farm came to vanishing. The Young family farm dates back to 1869, when its iconic red barn first went up in Yellow Springs.
Then the Great Depression arrived in the 1930s and hit families everywhere very hard. The Youngs had no choice but to sell their land to neighbors.
It is a sad chapter, but it does not end there.
After World War II, Hap Young managed to buy back the 60-acre farm and bring it home to the family. Young’s Jersey Dairy officially began in 1946, which makes every visit feel like a small celebration of a second chance.
For about ten years, Hap and his three sons, Carl, Bob, and Bill, worked those 60 acres plus as many as 500 rented acres. They grew grain, raised hogs, and milked cows by hand and by hard work.
Picturing that daily effort made the green fields around me look a little different.
Here is my advice for your trip. Take a minute to look at the old red barn before rushing to the ice cream line, because that building has seen it all.
Ice Cream Worth the Drive
Seventy-five thousand gallons. That is roughly how much ice cream Young’s makes every year, and after one bite of mine, I understood why the number is so high.
The waffle cones are made fresh, so the whole building smells like warm vanilla and toasted sugar. You can order scoops, sundaes, or thick milkshakes, plus containers to take home.
Flavors range from classic chocolate to fun picks like cotton candy with tiny chocolate chips. The peanut butter and marshmallow shake is a local favorite, and the brownie monster sundae is big enough to share, though you may not want to.
Scoops here run generous. One scoop might be all you need, so think twice before going for three unless you skipped lunch on purpose.
Families with dairy needs can relax too. A small selection of dairy-free ice cream is available, including flavors like Biscoff cookie and strawberry chocolate chunk.
Fun fact for the road. The milk for the ice cream comes from Reiter Dairy, while the farm’s own Jersey herd mostly supplies milk for cheese.
Eating your cone on a bench while cows graze nearby just makes the whole thing taste even sweeter.
From an Honor System Room to a Big Dairy Store
Honesty built this business, and I mean that quite literally. Back in 1958, the family started selling Jersey milk from a tiny room using an honor system, trusting customers to pay what they owed.
By the 1960s, cheese, sandwiches, and hot dogs joined the lineup. In 1981, the dairy began making its own homemade ice cream, the treat that now brings people from several states away.
The Dairy Store moved into a new, larger building in 2021. The space more than doubled, and it still manages to feel friendly instead of fancy.
My favorite part is the observation windows where you can see cheese and ice cream being made. Kids press their noses to the glass, and honestly, so did I.
It turns a snack stop into a mini science lesson without anyone feeling like they are in school.
On busy days the line snakes around in long bends, so scan the QR code at your table and order from your phone. Food gets brought right to you, which leaves more time for people watching and planning your next scoop.
There is also a gift area and a take-home deli for stocking up on cheese.
Cheese Curds, Burgers, and Country Cooking
Squeaky, crispy, and gooey all at once, the cheese curds stole my heart before the ice cream even had a chance. They come deep fried and breaded in traditional, buffalo, or sweet chili flavors.
Since 2009, the farm has made Young’s Farmstead Cheese, including cheddar, Colby, Swiss, Gouda, and fresh curds. They produce about 44,000 pounds each year, and half of that becomes curds, which tells you how popular they are.
The Dairy Store also serves down-home favorites like burgers, fries, sandwiches, and salads. Potato wedges with cheese for dipping are a smart side if you love comfort food.
On Saturdays and Sundays, hearty breakfast is served for dine-in guests from 9 am to noon. It is a cozy way to start a farm day before the crowds roll in.
For a sit-down meal, the Golden Jersey Inn opened in 1998 and serves country-style home cooking. Plates often come with homemade cole slaw, applesauce, and sweet potato bread, and the zucchini bread has fans too.
Bring a cooler if you can. Taking home a curd sampler is the best souvenir I can think of, and it disappears fast once you get back home.
Goats, Calves, and Barnyard Friends
Goats have a way of making grown adults giggle, and I was no exception. The petting zoo here is one of the most loved parts of the farm, with goats, cows, and pigs ready to say hello.
Feeding the goats is the real highlight. They stretch their necks out with such eager faces that you cannot help but laugh as they nibble from your hand.
Baby calves often rest in the barn, and their big eyes are almost too cute to handle. Since this is a real working dairy, you are seeing actual farm life rather than a show.
The farm keeps around 50 Jersey cows, a breed known for rich, creamy milk. Their gentle brown faces are a sweet reminder of where your cheese and the business itself began.
Ramps lead in and out of the barn, so wheelchairs and strollers can get close to the animals. That kind of care means the whole family can join in.
A quick tip from me. Wash your hands before heading back for a snack, because goat kisses and cheese curds should not mix.
Hand-washing stations make that easy.
Mini Golf, Batting Cages, and a Carousel Full of Flavor
My plan was a quick snack stop, yet somehow I ended up holding a putter. The mini golf course, called Udders and Putters, is goofy in the best way and fun for all ages.
Batting cages and a heated driving range give older kids and adults a chance to swing away. Plenty of grandparents seem just as eager to take a few cuts as the teenagers.
Little ones have their own playground of joy. A 30-foot slide, the Kiddie Corral with pedal tractors, a bounce house, and a corn pit keep tiny legs busy for hours.
Then there is Cowtherine’s Carousel, which opened in 2024. Its custom animals are inspired by the dairy’s history and its ice cream flavors, so you might ride something that looks good enough to eat.
The carousel also has secure straps for riders in wheelchairs. Small touches like that make the place feel welcoming to everyone.
Activities use tickets, so plan which ones matter most to your crew. Spreading them out between snacks keeps energy up and meltdowns down.
By the end, everyone heads to the car tired, sticky, and smiling, which is exactly how a farm day should end.
Seasons That Keep Families Coming Back
Autumn might be my favorite time to visit, though winter makes a strong case too. In fall, the farm opens a corn maze, pumpkin picking, and wagon rides through the Ohio fields.
Getting a little lost in the maze is half the fun. Finding the exit with a pumpkin under one arm feels like winning a prize.
When cold weather arrives, families can cut their own Christmas trees. Picture warm breath in the air, a fresh pine smell, and maybe a hot treat afterward.
These seasonal traditions explain why so many people return year after year. Some guests have been coming for decades, first as kids and later with children of their own.
The motto here is Families Gather Here, and it truly fits.
Big numbers back that up. By 2009, the dairy was welcoming over one million visitors a year, and up to 350 seasonal workers help during busy summer months.
Hours run daily, generally opening at 11 am on weekdays and 9 am on weekends. Check the website before you go for seasonal events and plan to stay longer than you expect.
Address: 6880 Springfield-Xenia Road, Yellow Springs, Ohio
