Wisconsin Members Host Dairy Events
Three Wisconsin National Farmers families hosted key dairy events in their communities this summer. The events familiarize city folks about the workings of a dairy farm, and producers attend also to catch up with friends and neighbors.
Vernon County Breakfast, Newton Valley, Wis.
June 22 brought downpouring rain to Goede Family Farms in Newton Valley, but that didn’t stop hundreds of people from attending this annual dairy event. The soaking rains and accompanying mud seemed to bring people together more as tractors roamed the parking areas and strangers pushed stranded cars out of the muck.
The 110 year host farm is owned by Lorn Goede who is partner with his son, Joel, featuring 110 Jersey and Holstein cows. Cows are housed in a sand-bedded freestall barn and utilize the farm’s 95 acres of pasture to graze from May through December. The family also farms almost 500 acres organically to produce feed for the cows and laying chickens.
Chequamegon Dairy Day, Mellen, Wis.
Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin partnered with Chequamegon Dairy Association to host this dairy day June 30 at Sunshine’s Agriculture Farm Experience. A milking demonstration, petting zoo, and Maggie the interactive milk cow greeted visitors.
Sundae on the Farm, Hixton, Wis.
The Olson family purchased cows from a neighbor in 2016 and rented his barn to get started dairying. Last year, Olson was able to build and move into his new dairy facility.
96 percent of Wisconsin dairies are family-owned.
