Farm Profiles

Alpine Hills Swiss & Country Pumpkins

Alpine Hills Swiss Farm was started by Joe Colson in 1947 in Corinth but was relocated to Dry Ridge in 1994. Many family members have worked the land, started their own farms, or moved back.  Joe had five sons who actively worked on the farm - Wayne, Dwight, Dean, Paul, and Arnold. 

In 1957, Wayne exhibited his 4-H project heifer, and she was named Junior Champion at the KY State Fair.  This started a legacy of quality Brown Swiss.  Over 750 cattle have been exhibited during the 60 years of the KY State Fair.  Alpine Hills has taken home Grand Champion honors 26 times.

Each of Joe’s sons has branched out and established their own Brown Swiss herds.  Wayne and Dwight started Pine Meadow Farm near Hebron, KY, in 1975 after retiring from the military. Paul built Colson’s Hope Farm in Cynthiana, KY, where he still milks registered Brown Swiss.  Arnold and Gemella currently own the original family farm and started Sycamore Knoll in 1990.  Dean and his wife, Debbie, took over Alpine Hills in 1981 and relocated to Dry Ridge in 1994. All three of Dean and Debbie’s children, Melissa, Matthew, and Daniel, continued the family tradition of milking and showing cattle. 

Although selling milk commercially stopped in December 2019, Dean and Debbie still have over 20 head of Brown Swiss.  They also continue to raise beef cattle, hay, and tobacco and operate Country Pumpkins. 

Source: Eunice Schlappi, Kentucky Department of Agriculture