The Challenge
When Maartje Murphy looked toward her future, she knew one thing for sure: she wanted to stay rooted in the family dairy farm near Carrington. But with the dairy side of the operation spoken for, she had to carve out a new path, one that honored her agricultural roots, her Dutch heritage, and her entrepreneurial spirit.
She set her sights on transforming their farm’s milk into handcrafted gelato, built on a farm-to-spoon philosophy and deep local pride. But bringing that vision to life in a small town came with big challenges. She had to figure out where to start, how to secure funding, and how to build a customer base from the ground up.
The Opportunity and Power of Partnership
With early support from the Agricultural Products Utilization Commission (APUC) and guidance from Kevin at the North Dakota Department of Commerce, Maartje secured her first grant and got to work out of her parents' garage. She started small, slinging scoops from a custom-built bicycle cart and offering creamy flavors like Lemon Poppyseed, Midwest Strawberry, and Dark Chocolate Sea Salt to curious customers.
That first cart rolled through farmers markets and festivals, bringing the farm’s milk straight to people’s hands in spoonfuls of joy. Her business, originally known as Duchessa Gelato, was inspired by old-world Italian tradition and handcrafted with fresh milk from her family's dairy farm. It quickly gained traction, earning her a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Food & Drink. That early momentum laid the foundation for what would grow into Cows & Co Creamery, a rural success story that outgrew the cart, the garage, and every expectation.
Commerce's role was more than just funding, it was about believing in the vision.
“APUC is one of the rare programs that can come in on the front end,” said Kevin, a Value-added Ag Business Development Manager with Commerce. “We can take on some of that early risk to help ideas like Maartje’s take root. And that matters, especially in rural North Dakota.”
As Cows & Co grew, so did the opportunities. They tapped into additional Commerce-backed tools, like the Ag Diversification and Development (ADD) fund and the Creamery Assistance Grant, to expand their facility, invest in equipment, and keep innovating. With that support, they began offering not only gelato but aged gouda cheeses, crafted using traditional Dutch methods Maartje learned in the Netherlands, bottled milk, and curated gift boxes filled with dairy delights.
The Success and Future
Today, Cows & Co is no longer a startup, it’s a powerhouse. Their Carrington facility now produces small-batch gelato, rich artisan cheeses, and bottled milk. Their signature Flight of Four gelato sampler is a customer favorite, showcasing seasonal and classic flavors alike. Their Farmhouse Sampler Box brings the taste of the prairie to homes across the country.
They’ve also expanded into Fargo’s Brewhalla and host special events at their Carrington location, creating a destination that blends delicious products with community connection.
“They’re doubling their sales and production every year,” Kevin said. “That kind of growth is almost unheard of, especially in a rural town. When we toured their new space, my first question was, ‘Did you go big enough?’”
Casey from Cows & Co shared, “The support we’ve received has been incredible. We wouldn’t be where we are without it. It’s more than business, it’s about investing in rural communities.”
For Maartje, this business is more than a creamery, it's the realization of a dream. "The American Dream means many different things to different people. It is a journey that often takes a course different than planned and requires much work and sacrifice. For me, it has turned my dreams into reality. A girl from the Netherlands fortunate to have found the sweetest American boy, start a business, and purchase a farmstead that we hope to pass onto future generations. When you visit Cows & Co, my dream is for you to feel as though you are visiting the Netherlands."
Cows & Co has also created new local jobs, many for students, and sparked community engagement in a way that’s both practical and magical. They're not just building a business. They're building belonging.
Cows & Co is proof that rural doesn’t mean small, it means full of possibility. With the right support, a little grit, and a whole lot of heart, even a scoop of Salted Caramel Swirl can change a town.