Cedar Ridge

 

 

If you talk about the planting season with Matt Teunissen, you will get a feel for the passion he has for agriculture. “Planting involves precision,” Matt said, “you only get to do it right once.” He is very particular and detailed to make sure everything is correct. He doesn’t settle, close enough is not in his vocabulary.

Matt and his wife, Julie, along with his parents, Don and Luann Teunissen, operate Cedar Ridge in Cedar Grove, WI. The farm has been a part of the family for 4 generations now. A unique feature to this farm is that it is also the only free-range poultry operation in the area. (They are in the process to soon be organic.) The cash crop part of the business is where the Teunissen’s realize the reward for the work that they put into growing crops. "When you’re going through the field all spring into summer and then when the combine goes through during fall harvest," Matt said, "that is where you see the results." “Matt is moving us into more technology than I thought I would ever see.” according to Don. They are not afraid to try new things at Cedar Ridge. They are no-tilling into clay and planting cover crops, gaining a lot of positive response in their fields. 

The ag industry was very attractive as a career for Matt who grew up enjoying it. Now he is proud of his decision that allows him the benefit of getting to work with his family every day, having time for his kid’s activities, and knowing that you’re feeding the world. The kids show pigs and are involved in 4-H and sports, so having flexibility in his schedule allows Matt to be a part of their events. He is also on the Town Planning Board of Holland and was on the Board of the former Kettle Lakes Co-op. Matt is now a member of the Country Visions Cooperative Board, representing his district after KLC and Country Visions merged on September 1.

Thank you to Matt, Julie, Don and Luann for being a part of our Farmer Friday series. It is a pleasure to share in the passion that people have for the agriculture industry and how it touches everyone’s life. We wish the best to the Teunissen family! We hope the success of their Cedar Ridge operation continues with productive crops and healthy, happy chickens!

Farmer Friday...post #43. To show our appreciation to our producer members, Country Visions Cooperative will be giving a snapshot look of our customers and their operations in this feature each Friday