ENMU Alumna Promotes Family Yoghurt Products

By Robert Graham

Karla van der Ploeg

Karla van der Ploeg (BBA 10) immigrated to the United States in the early 21st century. Her family dairy farmed in the Friesland province of the Netherlands and extended that practice to Clovis, NM. The van der Ploeg family introduced a “yoghurt like no other” to not only New Mexico, but also West Texas: Freanna Original Yoghurt. A pre- World War II (1938) cow named Anna, along with her progeny, were major influences on the van der Ploeg recipe.

Karla put a business model to that recipe. She says, “I am helping to get the business off the ground. I’m in charge of the marketing, sales, and promotions. A big part of my job is building networks too.” Accounting, shipping, tracking, searching for new stores, production forecasts, helping with the production of the yoghurt, and container design, Karla says, are a part of her diverse daily workload.

In addition to Business Administration, Karla has training in photography and interior design. “My diverse background helps in my field; it also helps me in my follow through,” a message Karla hopes will resonate with those walking a few steps behind her. Karla is one of the many presenters ENMU tapped to speak during Women’s History Month.

A little over a decade into a new century, Karla says, “My goal is to help people lead healthier lives with our yoghurt. I think this is the direction that society is headed.”