About Us

WELCOME to our family-run dairy farm located among the rolling hills outside Schulenburg, Texas. This is where some of the freshest milk is bottled and best cheese in the world is made on site. Bob and Darlene Stryk, owners and operators, invite you to stop by the farm anytime to pick up some fresh milk and cheeses. The dairy farm is conveniently located off IH-10 just west of Schulenburg – “Halfway to Everywhere” – whether you’re driving from Houston to San Antonio or Austin to Victoria.

About Us

Schulenburg is a small farming town home to descendants of Czech and German immigrants. The area is known by locals and travelers for Czech recipes including, kolaches, sausage rolls and many other pastries which are rich in flavor thanks to the milk, butter and cheese used during baking. That is probably one reason dairies are popular in Czech communities.

STRYK JERSEY FARM

Stryk Jersey Farm was founded in the 1940s by John Stryk who settled in the area and raised a family. He believed Jersey cows were hardy, efficient and produced the highest quality milk. He built the farm’s dairy barn just down from the house and began building his Jersey milking herd and the rest is history. In fact, the foundation Jersey genetics used by John can still be found in some of the Jersey’s being milked today. Maybe you’ve seen one of their cows already and didn’t realize it – their Jerseys have appeared in past Blue Bell Ice Cream commercials.

In 1980, John decided it was time to hand daily operations of the dairy over to his youngest son, Bob, who had just graduated from Texas A&M University with a Dairy Science degree. Bob jumped at the opportunity to buy into the family business and immediately began making improvements. A modern milking parlor was installed in a new facility, and he began the important step of registering the entire purebred Jersey herd.

Bob made another life changing decision in 1986 when he married Darlene Pavlicek, who grew up on a dairy down IH-10 in Columbus. Together Bob and Darlene have built a reputation among dairymen across the country for producing some of the industry’s top Jersey cows. They are also widely recognized for their commitment to managing their working lands with an eye on sustainability. Conservation practices focused on sustainable systems include optimizing soil health, rotational grazing and readily available water sources. They work in partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and their local Soil & Water Conservation District on sustainability across the farm. It’s this focus on soils, forages and water that is the foundation of their quality grass-fed milk and cheeses. In fact, they have been recognized as a Outstanding Agricultural Operation by the Fort Worth Star Telegram newspaper.

Working actively at the state level with the Texas legislature, Bob and Darlene have helped modify raw milk regulations to better enable access for consumers to purchase fresh milk. For his efforts, Bob received the Raw Milk Farmer of the Year Award from the Weston A Price Foundation in 2020.

AWARDS

Ask just about any local around Schulenburg if they know the Stryks and you’ll hear a resounding YES. They are known for working with community 4-H and FFA groups at local and statewide livestock shows and judging contests. Their commitment to the dairy industry, youth and hard work continues to gain awards and accolades. Bob has served on the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All Jersey Boards and was instrumental in achieving milk component pricing for Jersey milk being used for cheese production. Bob and Darlene also received the 1987 National Outstanding Young Jersey Dairyman Award.

Participating in major dairy shows has created recognition for the devotion Bob and Darlene have committed to improving their Jersey herd. Stryk Jersey Farm was named 2025 Premier Breeder at the Houston Livestock Show, as well as Premier Exhibitor. Over the years, numerous cows from the Stryk Jersey herd have been Grand Champions in San Antonio and Houston enabling the youth Jersey exhibitors to win scholarships.

Their daughter, Bryn, has raised and exhibited the Reserve Supreme Champion Dairy Scramble Heifer at the 2012 Houston Stock Show and was named Champion Junior Showman three years in a row. Bryn and Bob also exhibited the 2016 Reserve Champion and Honorable Mention Jerseys, respectively, in the San Antonio Livestock Show.

STRYKLY TEXAS CHEESE

Exploring better ways to utilize and promote the farm’s Jersey milk remains a priority for the Stryk’s. After discussing possibilities with producers around the country, they decided that Texans shouldn’t rely on other states for their cheese. Texans drink milk from Texas dairies and eat ice cream made in Texas, so why not cheese produced in Texas?

Ever the innovator, Bob studied cheese production techniques and explored how to create a more diversified market for Texas dairy products. He visited several small cheese plants and studied how they marketed their products. He also collaborated with a friend who is a marketing consultant in writing a business plan and developing marketing materials, including a home page on the Internet at www.texascheese.com.

Today, Strykly Texas Cheese has grown into a cheese plant covering 1,500 square feet attached to the dairy’s milking parlor. The building is simple in design featuring a large room for cheese production, a walk-in cooler and a small office. Visitors to the farm are welcome to purchase custom cheddar cheeses, milk, sour cream, curds and even grass-fed beef from their commercial cattle herd, when available.