Maas Energy Works

Joe and Cory De Hoog are third-and fourth-generation dairy farmers carrying on a family legacy that began in Southern California. Today, Cory and his uncle Joe own and operate Oak Creek Dairy in Merced, after purchasing the dairy and taking over ownership in 2022. The transition included the cows, employees, and an existing digester project. Oak Creek Dairy now employs 22 people.

The De Hoog family approach is rooted in continuous improvement. Staying on the leading edge of technology, using tools that drive efficiency, and always looking for ways to expand and improve are central to how Cory and Joe operate. In an industry facing rising costs, they believe adaptability is key to long-term success.

The digester was not the sole reason for the purchase, but it played an important role in the decision. It added a meaningful revenue component and fit into Cory and Joe’s broader strategy for building a resilient, forward-looking dairy operation.

They chose to work with Maas Energy Works because of the strong working relationship. “Maas has been fair and easy to work with. The communication is strong, and the team is always responsive. The techs are proactive when they’re on site, and it feels like a true

Jeff Troost is a fourth-generation California dairy farmer. The dairy is a family operation. Jeff, alongside his sons Johnny, Jayson, and Travys, now runs the day-to-day dairy operations. Jeff moved the dairy to Chowchilla in 1993 as development pushed them out of Southern California. Today, Troost Dairy employs 23 local people.
 
Jeff and his wife, Dana, raised four sons in the Chowchilla community, and the family has stayed deeply involved in local schools, sports, 4-H, FFA, and Cornerstone Community Church.
 
The Troost Dairy approach is simple: take care of your animals, treat people fairly, and be a good steward of your resources. To stay successful in dairy, you have to be willing to innovate and keep an eye on what is ahead.
 
That mindset is what led Troost Dairy to build a digester. “It created an additional source of revenue, but it was also a way to be part of dairy’s sustainability story,” said Troost.
 
They chose to work with Maas Energy Works because the values aligned and the company had a strong reputation in the area.

Maas Energy Works was proud to join World Ag Expo last week—one of the world’s largest agricultural trade shows. With acres of exhibits—from the latest dairy and field equipment to emerging ag tech—the show is a great snapshot of where agriculture is headed. Our favorite part was connecting with the dairy families and farm partners who make this industry run, and seeing the multi-generation families behind so many of the operations we work with. It’s inspiring to watch the next generation step into leadership while the legacy and stewardship continue.

Van Der Kooi Dairy is a family operation with deep roots and a practical outlook.

The Van Der Kooi family started dairying in 1950 in Artesia, and moved to Riverdale in 2007. Today the dairy is owned by Charlie Van Der Kooi and his sons, Daniel and Justin, fourth-generation dairymen, supported by a team of 35 employees.

In 2022, they brought their digester online and began sending gas to the Five Points pipeline. For the family, it is straightforward: environmental stewardship, creating renewable energy, and building long-term value for the dairy.

Great day on-site with Assemblymember Juan Alanis at one of our waste-to-energy digester projects in AD 22!

We had great conversations about how renewable natural gas is turning dairy waste into clean energy and supporting family farms across California.

It’s exciting to see these solutions in action and even better to share them with leaders who are listening and learning firsthand.