More than anyone, Chuck Ahlem understood the value of his family's Jersey cows. For decades both he and his father had studied the herds and lovingly bred them like pedigree dogs, selecting for genes that would ultimately produce the best quality, high protein milk.

Because it is higher in protein, Jersey milk is particularly valuable for making cheese. But there was only so much Ahlem could earn for his milk, even from distributors who were willing to pay a little more.

In the end Ahlem was told to go ahead and build his own cheese plant if he wanted to earn what he thought it was worth. And that's exactly what he did.

"Sometimes you get advice that you don't want to hear," says Ahlem, "but down the road you realize what a blessing it is."

Today Hilmar Cheese, which is collectively owned by Ahlem and 12 other Jersey farmers, is the world's largest single-site cheese and whey products manufacturing operation with customers in 40 countries.