1942
El Dorado Farm Life
Jim was born August 2, 1942 in Denver Colorado. He spent much of his early childhood and summers through his college years working on the family farm with his grandfather, Dwight Hull.
1950
A Love for Cows
As the first grandson, he was educated to be a dairyman and farmer by his grandfather since he was shoulder high to a month-old calf. His efforts and evident interest remained supported by friends, family, and community throughout his entire life.
1956
Summers in Kansas
Jim had an urban upbringing and combined it with practical farmhand skills and knowledge. Throughout his life he had a clear, steady understanding of how to achieve success in his chosen field of dairy science. Jim’s passion was to carry forward the professional tradition of his maternal grandfather, Dwight E. Hull; demonstrating success and supporting others around him in like manner.1970
Delaware Valley College
Immediately following university, Jim gained experience managing a large dairy in Indiana. He moved to Doylestown, PA where he was a faculty member at the Delaware Valley College’s teaching dairy farming.1976
Dairy Judging Team
At Delaware Valley College, Jim took great pride in coaching the Dairy Judging Team. While at Del Val he connected with Holly, bought his first herd and rented a large dairy farm near Pittsburgh, PA. Jessica and Jared were born on this farm.1982
Delta Dairy Farm
Jared and Jessica were still youngsters when Jim and Holly bought their own farm near Delta, PA. At last, his very own cows! The ultimate dream! The Gallantry Holsteins sign was designed by Jim’s grandmother, Harriet Hull, and hangs today in the house of his daughter.
1987
#1 in Milk Production
Jim received early recognition in this community, becoming the number one milk producer in the county during the first year. Who is this stranger? How does he get so much milk from his cows? Ahh, the secret; a PhD in Animal Husbandry and twenty years of large dairy herd management. For Jim, it was all about high quality genetics.1992
Move Out West
Deciding to transition from a physically challenging and financially limited way of life, Jim and Holly moved the family west to Marysville, WA. They both knew this change would allow them to give their children a college education. Holly became a local schoolteacher and Jim stayed connected with farming as a Dairy Breeding Consultant for Alta Genetics in the northwest states. His life passion for high performance dairy cows was fulfilled by assisting others.2004-2015
Traveling the World
In his retired years, Jim took some time to travel the world and visit dairy farms. He went to Austria in 2004 to visit the Hanslik farm. And in 2015 he went to South Africa with Jared to visit Jessica.2010
Farmer Jim and a New Kind of Herd
Jim moved to University Place, WA. He stopped dairy breeding consulting and all the miles of travel. He kept his own little herd, though, becoming the owner of ABC Children’s Center. He discovered the second passion in his work life was reading to, playing with, and enjoying the young children at the Center.2015
Cow Hobbies
He also kept his connection to farming by owning and breeding a few elite dairy cows with his long-time friend Todd Koch at TMK Farm. TMK also operates a creamery in Canby, Oregon, Jim loved to visit. His cows are still there today, well loved and producing excellent milk for all types of delicious cheese. The latest of the McCaffree cow offspring was born last August, we named her Mary Ellen.2017
Family
Jim spent his final years surrounded by a loving family.2019
A New Miracle
Carnation McCaffree’s Corry, born just a few days after Jim’s death, 11-17-2019 from an embryo created by Jim at Carnation Farm in Dec 1997. The nitrogen tank containing the frozen embryo was sold to Todd Koch (who was unaware of its contents!)
