The Brown Swiss herd was originated by Henry and Laura Nierman in 1945 and they later retired in 1973. Roger has been involved in many dairy organizations, and is a former National Director for the Brown Swiss Association. Jo Ella, works a part-time job off of the farm, and enjoys baby-sitting her grandchildren, Shelby, Ryland, and Lillian. She shares the milking duties and feeding calves in the morning. Their son, Brian, is actively involved in the daily operation of the dairy. He graduated from Purdue University in the spring of 1992 with a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Sciences. He then returned to the family farm after employment with the Brown Swiss Association as a Field Representative. His wife, Amy, is a Cooperative Extension Youth Educator working with 4-H in Washington County, Indiana through Purdue University. They have a daughter, Shelby, and a son, Ryland. Shelby is in her first year as a 4-H member. Roger and JoElla's other son, Jason, completed his Master's Degree in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University in December 1998 after receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Animal Sciences from Purdue in 1996. He is employed as an Agricultural Economist with the Appalachian Federal Milk Marketing Order , which is part of the United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service in Dairy Programs. His wife, Lindsey, and daughter, Lillian, reside in Henryville, Indiana. Lindsey is currently completing her coursework for a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. Roger and JoElla's daughter, Jill, graduated from Indiana Univesity in 2001. and earned a Physician Assistant degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virgina. She currently lives outside Charolette, NC. All three children have won numerous state, regional, and national awards with the cattle over the years. Roger and Jo Ella look forward to their grandchildren continuing the family tradition.

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