Curti Family Celebrates 100 Years in Dairy & Farming!
What started as a 32 milking cow operation has now transformed into three dairies with a combined total of over 5,000 milk cows and over 4,000 acres of farm land. The founder of this operation was Miro Curti, an immigrant from Italy. He married his wife, Domenica in 1912 and they started their dairy and farming operation to Waukena in 1913. They had five children that all worked on the family farm – Lilia, Amelio, Elvira, Italo, and Leo.
Miro Curti & son, Italo, with their first milking machine. 1924
Miro & Domenica with their children.
In the ensuing years, a number of changes took place on the Curti Dairy. 1924 was the year milking machines were introduced to the dairy. Next came DHI testing in 1936. Registered cattle were first incorporated into the herd in 1938. Throughout the years Miro used good management practices in order to produce an outstanding herd. In 1969 Miro was named the first “Farmer of the Year” for the Tulare district. He was also involved as a director of Dairyman’s Cooperative Creamery Association, a trustee of Waukena grade school and an active member of the Sons of Italy.
Miro received Tulare’s first “Farmer of the Year” award in 1960. Here with his son, Amelio.
Curti Dairy circa 1950
In 1988 the second dairy was completed and in 2002 a third dairy was purchased and upgraded. The third dairy consists of over 500 Jersey milk cows. Now, the third generation is continuing on the tradition of dairying and farming, which consists of Ben Curti with Curtimade Dairy Inc., Phillip Curti with Curti Family Inc. and Ken Curti with Curti Terra Inc. In 2005 Ben, Phillip, Ken, and Jeff Curti were honored with Tulare’s “Farmer of the Year.”
Ben, Ken, Phillip, & Jeff Curti at 75th Anniversary event.
Today’s operations consist of a mixed Holstein and Jersey herd at Curtimade Dairy Inc. along with farming alfalfa, corn and wheat; a mixed Holstein and Jersey herd at Curti Family Inc. along with farming alfalfa, corn and wheat; and a diversified farming operation of pistachios, wheat, cotton, alfalfa, and beans at Curti Terra Inc. Although the business names have changed over the years, one thing has stayed the same – their determination to constantly improve and succeed. They are celebrating the 100th anniversary of their family business this October.
Ken, Phillip, Ben, and Jeff Curti honored with the “Farmer of the Year” award in 2005