Originally from the Midwest, Katie Hill grew up on her parents dairy farm, Voelker Swiss Farm in Perryville, Missouri. After her high school graduation, she obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in Animal Science with a minor in Agriculture Economics. While in college, is when she met her husband Darin Hill. Katie moved to Cattaraugus, New York in the fall of 2010 and joined Hills Valley Farm. Darin and Katie were married in 2012 and have four very active kids, Blake, Garrett, Averi and Chase. Together they own and operate the dairy farm and are currently going through a renovation to incorporate the Lely robotic milking system.
Growing up, Katie always had a passion for agricultural, being an active member in 4-H and FFA. It was within those organizations, where she developed her leadership abilities and her passion for teaching children about agriculture. After relocating to Western New York, she was asked to be a part of the Pro Ed Committee for Cattaraugus Farm Bureau. There she met some very inspiring individuals who helped her get more involved in agriculture in our county.
Katie began reading in local schools during Ag Literacy week in 2014 and in 2015 she was asked to take on the Agriculture Discovery Tent at the Cattaraugus County Fair. It was during this project when she really got to know more about the variety of agriculture in our county. She was the leader of the Ag Discovery Tent through 2025.
In 2020, some childhood friends of Darin’s were looking to form a 4-H club. Katie took on the responsibility of being club leader, and the Variety Pack 4-H Club was established. Growing from 10 kids the first year to nearly 40 today, it has been a great group of kids and parents to work with over the years. She has a club with kids of all different farm backgrounds and they enjoy learning from each other and watching everyone grow. And the kids seem to always let Katie know when they have gotten taller than her!
The dairy industry has always been at the forefront of Katie’s passion and in 2021 she was asked to take on the role of the Dairy Ambassador Program, formerly known as the Dairy Princesses. Without hesitation she accepted the role and started learning what she had to do. In 2022 she hosted the first Milk and Cookie Ceremony, asking as many local dairy farmers for their support for the program. With the growth of the program, and the unwavering continued support from our local dairy farmers, Katie has encouraged many kids to join the program and promote the dairy industry in our county! These kids attend many events and are always at the fair handing out dairy products and talking about the goodness of dairy!
Aside from these two roles, Katie previously served Cattaraugus County Farm Bureau as a board member and Pro-Ed Co Chair, on the State Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers committee, the State Farm Bureau Pro-Ed committee, and the New York Brown Swiss Association President. Currently she is serving as a school board member for Cattaraugus Little Valley School, Secretary/Treasurer for the New York Brown Swiss Association, on the Youth Committee for the National Brown Swiss Association, a member of the dairy committee for Cattaraugus County 4-H, and a board member for Cattaraugus Little Valley Youth Football and Cheerleading.
