Four Wisconsin dairy farm families will open their farms to the neighborhood during August as part of the ACE (Agricultural Community Engagement) On-the-Farm Twilight Meetings.Each dairy farm tour begins at 6 p.m., with an ice cream social served at 7 p.m. This is a free, open-invitation to community leaders, elected officials, conservation officials, dairy and livestock producers and community members interested in learning from each other so Wisconsin communities can grow to be green and vibrant. The Q&A session and discussions will conclude by 8:30 p.m.
The ACE On-the-Farm Twilight Meetings are offered through a partnership between Professional Dairy Producers (PDPW), the Wisconsin Towns Association, and the Wisconsin Counties Association.
The dates and locations for each ACE On-the-Farm Twilight Meetings tours and discussions are:
- Monday, August 18 - Wagner Farms Inc., N6928 CTY BB, Oconto Falls, Wis. Hank and Pam Wagner took on the family farm from Hank's parents when it was a 55-cow operation in 1987. Today, the Wagners milk 650 Holsteins and crop 900 acres, mostly corn and alfalfa. The Wagners define success in both financial and emotional terms, believing the business should be profitable, provide a good place to raise a family, and give them opportunities to interact with people. Family members involved today include: Hank Wagner, general manager; Pam Wagner, assistant herds person and yard maintenance; Shawn Wagner, crops manager and mechanic; Laura Wagner, calf and young stock manager; Tyler (future son-in-law), outside work and feeding; Tony Wagner (Hank's dad) feeder; and Bev (Pam's sister-in-law), herdsperson.
- Tuesday, August 26 - Norm-E-Lane, W267 Panther Creek Road, Chili, Wis. Back in the 1960s, Norman and Elaine Meissner combined their names to create Norm-E-Lane. Today, four family members and 32 full-time employees run the farm. They milk 2,400 cows, raise young stock and crop 5,200 acres, mainly corn and alfalfa. Family members involved include Josh Meissner, dairy manager; Jerry Meissner, chairman; Dave Meissner, president; and Jeremy Meissner.
- Wednesday, August 27 - Sunburst Dairy, 1003 County Road PB, Belleville, Wis. The third generation of family is emerging on Sunburst Dairy. The family milks 500 cows and crops 700 acres of corn and alfalfa. Family members involved include: Brian Brown, responsible for feed and crops and also CEO; Yogi Brown, responsible for employee management, financials, young stock, and also CFO; Cory Brown, all-around support employee; Whitney Brown, a high school and all-around support employee; and Jerry Brown, occasional support employee.
- Thursday, August 28 - Sunset Farms, 6600 Sunset Drive, Allenton, Wis. Sunset Farms is a community-minded dairy operation located 45 minutes northwest of Milwaukee. The farm employs 26 full-time and six part-time and seasonal workers, milk approximately 900 cows, raises most of their young stock and steers, and crop 3,200 acres. Fifth and sixth generation family members own the farm, as well as a few other valuable employees. Family members and key employees involved include Bernie Wolf, the financial manager who also assists with cropping; Carl Wolf, nutrient management planner, along with cropping and maintenance; Dan Wolf, who is semi-retired and oversees nutrient management planning, animal management and assists with cropping; David Wolf, who assists with heifer management and cropping; Ed Wolf, who manages beef and assists with cropping and trucking; Greg Ritger, calf manager; Karen Hughes, herd manager; Marcus Asmus, feeding manager; Paul Wolf, who oversees facilities projects, nutrition, and animal management; Ray Wolf, who is semi-retired, oversees cropping and assists with trucking; and Tim Baier, the shop and equipment manager.
According to the University of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and Applied Economics, agriculture in Wisconsin contributes $59.16 billion to the state's economy, and provides the state's residents nearly 354,000 jobs. Dairy is the majority share of that contribution, bringing $26.5 billion to the state's economy.
"On-farm programs like the ACE On-the-Farm Twilight Meetings help agriculture and the residents of local communities better understand each other so we can co-exist and thrive," says Shelly Mayer, PDPW Executive Director. "Agriculture touches so much of community life from the economic to the environment to the quality of life."
There is no charge to attend the ACE On-the-Farm Twilight Meetings. For planning purposes, the Wisconsin Towns Association asks that you register by calling (715) 526-3157 or email to wtowns@frontiernet.net.
Professional Dairy Producers is a dairy-producer founded organization that provides educational programs and services to fellow dairy producers. Our mission is "to share ideas, solutions, resources, and experiences that help dairy producers succeed."
8.4.2014