![Bailey, a yearling [young] heifer calf who lives at the Ropp family farm in Normal. She is standing in mud.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3654b89/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4614x3296+0+0/resize/840x600!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F38%2Ff7%2F5a8a378a417ebaf7365a2867b252%2F4h-family-bollinger07.jpg)
The Ropp Jersey Cheese Farm in Normal will close up shop next month.
The farm announced on Facebook it will close its doors permanently on Feb. 7.
“Yeppers, it’s been an interesting 20 plus year adventure…and it’s time!” the post said. “Thanks again to all of our loyal customers!!”
For six generations, the Ropp family has cared for purebred dairy Jersey cows. They've made cheese since 2007. With no preservatives and the use of a vegetarian rennet, their homemade cheddar has won 1st place at the Illinois State Fair.
Their cheese was also sourced to Bloomington-Normal restaurants, including cheese curds at Destihl Brewery.
Brownfield reported last June the dairy industry had seemed to stabilize, according to a representative of the Illinois Farm Bureau. In years past, small dairy farms exited the picture and milk cows were decreasing in numbers.
The USDA ranked Illinois 20th in the nation in number of milk cows in 2025.
