Saturday's farm tour offers opportunity to meet Skyview Farm's new owners
- Roger Sims, Journal Staff
- 6 hours ago
- 4 min read
By Roger Sims, Journal staff
Skyview Farm in rural southeastern Linn County has been a model of a small farming operation that focuses on quality over quantity for over a quarter of a century. Bill and Sheri Noffke took a dream of running a small dairy and through hard work, willingness to adapt to change and marketing made that enterprise work.
Their grade A dairy, relying mostly on Jersey dairy cattle that produced higher cream content, became known not only for its raw milk but also for the variety of cheeses the couple crafted in their creamery and aged in their cellar.
Skyview has been a must-visit stop on the Linn County Farm Tour since its inception, but because of a successful marketing approach, the farm has kept consistent business hours and in doing so has cultivated a clientele that continues to support the farm.
On Saturday, May 30, the farm tour will kick off again, running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. And while Skyview Farm is again a must-see stop for those interested in alternatives to large-scale farming and farm-grown goods, this time it won’t be the Noffkes welcoming guests.
Here are the stops on the spring 2026 farm tour:
Courage Farms, Crystal and Beau Stude, 28608 W. 403 St., Fontana – This is a vegetable production farm that also sells baked goods, soaps, candles and more.
Rocky Suns Farm, Dustin and Amanda Michelle, 10062 W. 2200 Rd., Parker – This is a vegetable production farm with greenhouses. Their store carries a variety of items including fresh meat.
Skyview Farm, Jessica and Derrick Crozier, 22722 E. 800 Rd., Pleasanton – This Grade A micro-dairy farm recently changed hands but the new owners vow to stay with the tried and true Skyview plan of fresh raw milk and a variety of cheeses.
Castle Farms Fresh Meats, Eric and April Castle, 5670 Scott Rd., Pleasanton – The Castles produce pasture-raised pork and chicken.
Two Dogs Farm, Steve and Leanne Rees, 228 N. McKean St., Trading Post area – New on the tour this year, the Reeses offer pork, eggs, produce and Amish friendship bread.
McKee Family Farmstead, Hannah and Kodee McKee, 12253 Umphenour Rd., Pleasanton – The McKees raise pork, goats, and sheep.
Grace Heritage Dairy, Sarah and Colton Easton, 40681 Hedge Lane, Fontana – The Eastons operate a Nubian goat dairy and sell raw milk and goat cheese.
Former Louisburg residents Derrick and Jessica Crozier have been longtime customers of Skyview Farm, falling in love with the quality milk and dairy products.
Jessica in a phone interview earlier this week said that both they and their families have a passion for real, wholesome food. They had already been operating a booth at the Louisburg farmers market and began to think about their next step.
So about six months ago, the family began to look at buying land so they could make that passion a reality.
“In January, the Noffkes announced they were ready to retire from the dairy cow business,” she said. “We can’t imagine the dairy not being there.”
So when they had the opportunity to buy the Skyview operation, they jumped at the chance.
The Croziers' plan is to continue operating Skyview Farm as a local dairy, carrying on the business established by the Noffkes. Current operations will continue uninterrupted, and existing customers can expect no changes to current offerings during the transition.
“We deeply value the importance of knowing your farmer and understanding where your food comes from,” Jessica said in a release. “Skyview Farm represents everything we believe in when it comes to local food, rural agriculture, and serving our community. Our goal is to honor what has been built here and continue providing a dependable local source for a household staple.”
Bill and Sheri Noffke expressed confidence in the future of the farm under new ownership. In a joint statement, the Noffkes said they were happy to have found buyers who want to continue the dairy. “Knowing that Skyview Farm will remain a local operation and continue serving the community means a great deal to us.”
Jessica said that while the Noffkes are leaving the dairy cow business, they plan to continue to make their dairy products. They are setting up a creamery up by Atchison and Skyview Farm will continue to carry those products while exploring adding butter and cottage cheese to the offerings.
“We are very excited to come into the Linn County community,” Jessica said.
The Croziers plan to continue sharing updates about the farm in their weekly newsletter. You can learn more about Skyview Farm at www.skyviewfarm.net.
Skyview will continue its on-farm hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The cheese will also continue to be sold at several retail outlets and farmers' markets.