Employee Benefit Plans - Fair Value of Plan Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Farmer Brothers Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Fair Value of Plan Assets	$ 82,110	$ 80,448	$ 63,462
Farmer Brothers Plan | Fair Value
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Fair Value of Plan Assets	82,110	80,447
Farmer Brothers Plan | Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Farmer Brothers Plan | Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Fair Value of Plan Assets	78,006	75,736
Farmer Brothers Plan | Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Fair Value of Plan Assets	4,104	4,711	3,147
Brewmatic Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,718	2,871	2,490
Brewmatic Plan | Fair Value
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,718	2,871
Brewmatic Plan | Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Brewmatic Plan | Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,582	2,704
Brewmatic Plan | Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Fair Value of Plan Assets	136	167	132
Hourly Employees' Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Fair Value of Plan Assets	1,013	421	0
Hourly Employees' Plan | Fair Value
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Fair Value of Plan Assets	1,013	421
Hourly Employees' Plan | Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Hourly Employees' Plan | Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Fair Value of Plan Assets	947	396
Hourly Employees' Plan | Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Fair Value of Plan Assets	$ 66	$ 25	$ 0