Gary Keyes and Johan Heijkoop, Milk-A-Way Dairy
Milk-A-Way Dairy was founded in Brooksville, FL in 1998 and moved to Mayo in 2022. As soon as Gary Keyes and Johan Heijkoop opened their operation in Mayo, they enrolled in BMPs. BMPs have allowed them to maximize their resources to produce milk more efficiently. Gary and Johan believe implementing BMPs is the key to finding a balance between food production and sustainability. It is also important because it is a way for them to show their community what they do to be as sustainable as possible.
BMPS they implement include updated irrigation systems with GPS technologies and soil moisture probes, which help them know exactly when and how much to water.
In 2023 both the Keyes and Heijkoop families were honored together as the Lafayette County Farm Bureau Family of the Year. Both Gary and Johan’s families are involved on the farm. Johan serves as a delegate for Premier Select Sires and on the Florida Dairy Farmer’s Association Board. Milk-A-Way Dairy was recognized with a Premium Quality Award by Southeastern Milk Co-Op.
