John and Brooke Kraus are the owners of K&K Homestead in Malone, Wisconsin. They represent the 6th generation of a family that started their farming legacy in 1872. Farming just seemed to be the “right fit” for John after school. John and Brooke took over the...

“Agriculture is food and fiber and somebody has to produce it, but today the biggest challenge is sustaining our environment and how we go about doing that.”

Chad and Joy Kohlman own Kohlman Land & Livestock in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, along with Joy’s parents, Wade and Gail Kleinhans.

There is nothing better than growing up on a family farm according to Mark Steffes. Mark and his wife, Missy, along with their kids, Curtis, Katelynn, and Courtney operate Hillside Dairy, LLC in Mount Calvary. Their dairy operation located in this small community in Fond du...

The New Holstein FFA was chartered in 1942. Their group of about 50 students are a part of more than 650,000 members throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands that are involved in the FFA organization. A few of the members from the New Holstein FFA...

The best is yet to come! That is the approach Bart Nelson is taking as he pursues turning his dreams into reality. Bart started his own place after being involved in the equine industry for many years. Nelson Performance Horses, LLC is a Horse Boarding and Events Center...

Inspired by the four generations before him, Adam Kolb knew he wanted to be a farmer. He grew up surrounded by agriculture and developed an interest at a young age. He liked farming and wanted to see it stay in the family. Their farm in Cleveland, Wisconsin always had a...

Tom Spieker grew up helping his father raise feeder pigs on their farm in Random Lake, Wisconsin. In 1987, they got rid of the animals. Tom was not ready to give up on farming the land that had been in his family for 4 generations. He had watched his family take care of the...

Farming is all about family for Donald and Clara Buckman. They are Dairy Farmers in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. The operation is a 100% family run farm with the help of their children Becky Glander, Mark Buckman, and Missy Buckman. They also have 4 grandchildren, who they say...

Ariana Blaylock is an Equine Specialist. Horses have been her passion since an early age. “I fell head-over-heels for them,” she said. “I had about 2 years away from horses and it was the worst.” Now, Ariana uses her experience and knowledge of horses...

Boehl-View Ranch is owned by Robert & Dawn Boehlke in Random Lake, Wisconsin. Once operated as a beef farm, that portion has been retired and it is now a Cash Crop operation. The Boehlkes didn’t get rid of all of their livestock. They still have some cows and feeders...

Farming, running a business, family… “It gets really complicated, it’s like doing a balancing act.” Those are the words of Nick Laudolff, who along with his wife, Marcey, operate N&M Laudolff, LLC. a Cash Crop operation in Eden, WI.

Dale and Stacy Limberg, along with their daughters, Ali and Megan, run a Dairy and Crop operation in Plymouth, WI. They feel that agriculture serves a purpose that impacts everyone. The reality that everyone needs food to eat may be the seed that inspired this family to be...

We have all heard the expression “teamwork makes the dream work.” Barbara & Al Weyker work well as a team operating Lakeview Buffalo Farm in Belgium, Wisconsin. The Weykers started with a dairy farm. They are 5th generation farmers who took over the dairy...

Al Schmidt is the owner of Schmidt Farms, a Cash & Hay Crop operation in West Bend, Wisconsin. The farm’s history goes back to his Great-Grandmother who was born in 1872 in the back 20 acres. That is where it all started and led to Al being the 4th generation to take...

Marvin Kolbach has farmed basically all of his life. He started at 4 years old driving tractor and ‘got the bug.’ He grew up as the son of a farmer and remembers how farming was done in the 70s. They used a 4-row corn planter, bags of fertilizer and averaged 100...

A gene is a segment of DNA that is passed down from parents to children and gives a trait to the offspring. We are not sure if it’s been identified yet, but the way Philip DuWell sees it, there must be a farming gene. “I have always said it’s got to be in...

A garden. That is where it started for Stuart Muche. His grandfather did a lot of gardening and he enjoyed working with him as a very young child. Stuart started working at a garden center in grade school and continued into his high school years.

Jerry Kumrow and his wife, Cheri, are the first generation of their family to farm at their location in Adell, Wisconsin. It started with the purchase of a building and just 5 acres of land. That was back in 1980 and Kumrow Family Farms has increased from that modest beginning...

George, Kathy, and Peter Muth operate Cedar Lawn Farm in West Bend, Wisconsin. George is optimistic, fueled by the reward of working together with his son and watching the next generation grow in their abilities. “I was in high school, my dad wasn’t healthy, so I...

“Here, we are family,” Jerry Borski said describing life in the rural community of Van Dyne, Wisconsin. “A close-knit group, where we pull together when the community needs something.” This is home for Jerry Borski and his family. Jerry and his wife...

Everything Jay Retzer has done has revolved around agriculture. “I love everything ag,” he said. He went to UW-River Falls and got an agronomy degree. He was an agronomist at the Co-op (Agri-land at the time) for 11 years. He currently has a full-time job as an Ag...

Witte’s Vegetable Farm LLC in Cedarburg, Wisconsin is a family business. “My family,” stated Scott Witte. He hadn’t realized how much that meant to him until his sophomore year of college attending UW-River Falls. “I didn’t even know that I...

“You better keep that farm going!” Jason Smith remembers what his Grandpa said on the day he died. Those words come to mind when he looks at their farm. A farming operation that has been in his family for 5 generations now and will be 120 years old this year. Jason...

Many little girls have dreams of owning a horse someday, but in the case of Kelly Mahloch, she was very serious about her plans for her future. When she was about 12 years old, Kelly decided she was going to be a horse trainer and riding instructor.

Kevin Gierach graduated in 1975 with aspirations of being a farmer. “I didn’t want to do anything else,” he said. “Farming was good back then. Prices were good and it was an attractive career choice.”

Norbert Hoerth used to have a full-time job and farmed on the side. He didn’t have a whole lot of time for other hobbies. Now he is retired and enjoys spending time with his wife, Kathy, watching their granddaughters in their sports, but there is also his first love...

Larry and Elise Shambeau feel very fortunate that they were able to raise their children on a farm. "It has been a good life for us," Larry said. They have enjoyed the benefits of spending time together while also developing a strong work ethic in their children...

“Your experiences of your childhood help you gather direction for your future.” That is the idea at Phil-Mar-Ru Farms in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where they are encouraging the future of agriculture by helping kids get farming experience.

“In one word? Incredible! Working with our family throughout our whole lives has been an incredible experience,” according to Matt Winkel. Matt is the 4th generation of the Winkel family to find his passion in agriculture.

Farming is a family tradition for Tim Horsch, but he is the first generation of his family to focus their operation on raising beef cattle. TMH Cattle is located in the small rural community of Marytown, Wisconsin. The beef cattle operation involves both show genetics and...

The perfect combination of STRENGTH, BEAUTY and GRACE are how some would describe a Percheron draft horse even though these horses are huge, easily weighing 2,200 – 2,300 lbs. The words also have special meaning for Kelvin & Jackie Hinz who raise these gentle giants...

“Around here neighbors go out of their way to help neighbors,” commented 4th generation farmer, Joe Miritz. “I am humbled on a regular basis when I see people come together to help someone that is behind or down.” He feels that farmers are eternal...

Visiting Saxon Homestead Farm includes an opportunity to enjoy some of the history behind the operation. It has been in the hands of the Klessig family since 1850 when their ancestors came to the area from north Germany.

It was Kevin Immel’s childhood dream to be a farmer. He loved to watch the crops grow. Now he lives his dream every day, while working the land, planting the seeds, and watching the crops grow on the many acres farmed by Immel Grain Farms in Fond du lac, Wisconsin.

“I love the smell of the earth in the spring!” That is a statement by a man who was destined to become a farmer, but Jerry Grotenhuis didn’t follow a traditional path to become one.

He was born into a farming family. He was raised on a farm all of his life and loved it. He didn’t see a reason to do anything else. He is Ron Loehr and he is a Farmer!

Albright Farms of Ripon, Wisconsin is a Cash Grain operation located in Green Lake County. The home farm has been in the family for over 140 years and is currently in the hands of Dave Albright.

At Essential Dairy in Kewaskum, Wisconsin, owners Dave and Heather Lettow recognize the important role they play as members of the agriculture community. They want to be good stewards of the land, preserve it for generations to come and provide quality food for people.

Rick Fink made up his mind in high school that he was going to go to college and be a teacher. After graduation, he left the family farm in Mayville, WI and set his plan in motion. “I left for college for 5 years to become a teacher,” Rick said. “I taught for...

At the age of 18, Ryan Theusch took all the money he had been saving, bought a baler and started doing custom baling. He had always liked farming and as he was growing up on a farm that had been in his family since 1854, it seemed like the right thing to do to get started in...

Why Agriculture? “We all need it to survive,” Daryl Woldt responded. He also appreciates the tradition and lifestyle of being a farming family, but it comes down to food being a necessity and the growing demand for it worldwide.

It is the accomplishment at the end of the day and the results at the end of the season that Dan Teunissen looks forward to at Teunissen Custom Heifers, LLC in Cedar Grove, Wisconsin. “You can look back and see what you have done. See where you are today. Did we reach...

Paulus Dairy, LLC is a Holstein Dairy Farm in Fredonia, Wisconsin operated by Mike and Lori Paulus. Mike has been farming all of his life and has enjoyed the challenges and rewards it involves. “It is a great place to raise a family. We love to get our grandchildren here...

“I always looked at being a farmer as a job that could give a family stability and a great way to raise kids,” Randy Thull said. “I wanted to be able to continue to do that!” Randy, along with his dad, Ralph are owners of Thull Farms, LLC, a Dairy and...

Tom Byl has been farming all of his life. A common statement for many of today’s farmers who live in Wisconsin, but this story has a slight twist. This farming story starts with a young farmer growing up in Holland. Yes, Holland, as in the country of the Netherlands.

The Kindschuh family have been farming since the 1920s on the same land in Brownsville, WI. Dave Kindschuh has never moved. He went from sleeping upstairs in his parent’s home to downstairs as it became his home. He never changed his address or phone number.

Chris Pollack values his parent’s advice. Yep, that’s right kids, he values his parent’s advice! Chris, his wife, Kelly, and parents, Larry and Deb, are the owners of Pollack-Vu Dairy, LLC located near Ripon, Wisconsin. He said, “having family that has...

Dull, repetitive, lack of variety are NOT words used to describe life on a farm and that is why Aaron Schraufnagel knew that it was the perfect job for him. He and his wife, Jeana, are co-owners in Schraufnagel Farms LLC, with Aaron’s parents, Andy and Bonnie and Aaron...

Combine family tradition and passion, with an overall enthusiasm for agriculture and you will begin to see how Roden Echo Valley, LLC was formed. Bob and Cindy Roden established their farm in the Town of Trenton with hopes that the next generation of their family would want to...

Melichar Broad Acres, LLC is a Dairy Farm in Port Washington, WI. “It was my Grandpa Charlie that came up with the name back in 1937 when he and Grandma Lola purchased it,” according to Jim Melichar.

As the owners of Schmitz East Branch Dairy in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Dave and Mary Schmitz try to take a proactive approach when it comes to educating consumers about the agriculture industry. Being located close to town has many conveniences, but it can also bring some...

Byron and Sharon Gessner have been working side-by-side for over 42 years. The couple operate Walnut Meadow Farms in the Town of Scott which is on the southwest edge of Sheboygan County.

When Steve Schleis was growing up his family was involved in agriculture and it has always been what he wanted to do. “I worked in construction part-time for 10 years,” Steve said, “but it wasn’t like working on the farm.”

You may recognize this family as the hosts of the 2015 Fond du Lac Area Breakfast on the Farm. This is Dan and Brenda Michels and their family of Michels Farms, LLC in Lomira, WI.

Brent Sinkula is the operator of Irish Acres, LLC in Two Rivers, Wisconsin which is a Manitowoc County community. Living a half mile off Lake Michigan has made things interesting for this dairy farmer.

Mark & Maxine Hahn are 3rd generation Dairy Farmers from Campbellsport, Wisconsin. Mark grew up here in this Fond du Lac County community. He went to work in a factory for a while and was in the army for a while, but the entire time he knew he wanted to be farming.

Jason Vorpahl is a 6th generation dairy farmer in Random Lake, Wisconsin. Growing up on the family farm with his brother, Marty, they both were involved with the daily chores and responsibilities. Jason said, “It’s what I grew up with and I knew I wanted to...

“Working with family can have its ups and downs,” according to Mike Liner, “but you are able to rely on each other to get the work done. There is always someone to take care of everything you need.” Mike is one of the members of Liner Dairy, LLC.

“It is much easier to do something you want to do versus what you have to do,” according to David Brunnquell. “That is why it has always been easy for me to be in agriculture.”

Leo and Roseann Schraufnagel have a Cash Grain Operation in Lomira, Wisconsin, which is in Dodge County. Their family farm has been passed down for four generations and was originally operated as a dairy.

“You work your way through the hard times.” That is the advice from John Ruedinger of Ruedinger Farms, Inc. in Van Dyne, Wisconsin. “Agriculture can be pretty good to people, if you do it right,” he said. “You can’t do it alone though, it...

A good start to any conversation is to talk about the weather. When you are talking to a farmer, that common conversation is viewed from a different perspective. Adam and Tammy Averbeck have a Custom Farming operation in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where most everything they do...

Roger Zentner grew up involved with agriculture. He was born and raised on the family farm. Even when he worked away from it, he still came home to help on the farm. That upbringing set him in the direction to take over the family operation.

The FFA organization is something that is extra special for the owners of A-B-Lane Holsteins located in Plymouth, WI. Todd and Kara Abraham and their kids, Jared and Macie, operate this dairy farm along with Todd’s parents, Terry and Janice. You probably don’t find...

At Clay Valley Dairy Farm in Mishicot, Wisconsin, every member of the family pitches in to get the work done. As the 3rd generation on this dairy farm in Manitowoc County, Mark Rahmlow and his wife, Judy, say it’s fun to work together with your family.

Hillside Dairy Heifers in Glenbeulah, WI is a Custom Heifer Raising and Cash Crop operation. Don and Susie Liebe bought the Sheboygan County farm in 1989. That first year, they had 7 heifers they were raising. It was just going to be a hobby, but it kept on growing!

For Doug Miller, he said his family has been in this area for so long, it is like ‘their own little part of the world.’ Doug and his brother, Dennis, are the 7th generation to be operating their farm that started back in 1849.

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...

According to Larry Strupp, it’s not about how much you make doing it, happiness is enjoying what you do. Larry and his brother, Mike, along with his wife and son, Terry and Alex, operate Strupp Family Farm in Slinger, WI.

The fall harvest season has always been his favorite time of the year. “That’s when you know it was all worth it,” according to Joel Dulmes. Along with his wife, Linda, Joel operates Dulmes Farms LLC in Gibbsville, WI.

If you are driving through rural Sheboygan County, not far from the Village of Cascade, WI, you just might get to see Paul’s pride and joy. That is, if you happen to see a pasture of mostly Red Angus Cattle.

Keeping the next generation involved because nobody can do it by themselves. That is where it started for Hanke Farms Inc. a Dairy and Cash Crop operation in Sheboygan Falls, WI. Jack and Jim Hanke always liked milking cows and learned early on that if you take good care of...

FEELING anticipation. DISCOVERING there is a new calf on its way into the world. SEEING the delivery go well. KNOWING the calf is alive and healthy. THIS is what Kurt and Sarah Loehr will tell you is the favorite part of what they do at Forage Ridge Holsteins in Eden, WI.

At Wilfert Farms in Manitowoc County, WI, they love to advocate for Agriculture. “America does agriculture better than anyone else in the world,” and Ryan Wilfert. “I’ve grown up with it and see first-hand how vital it is to our local community.”

Steve Barta takes a look around his family’s dairy farm located near Two Creeks in northern Manitowoc County and takes pride in what they have been able to accomplish. “You have to be pretty self-motivated people to get everything done,” Steve said

Bob and Deb Obry are the owners of Obry’s 5th Generation Dairy in the township of West Kewaunee, Wisconsin. The homestead dates back to 1863 when Peter Keup purchased the farm buildings and 120 acres for $100 to establish the family farm.

Chilton, Wisconsin is home to John Schwarz and his sons, Trevor and Connor. This is also where you will find Schwarz Farms, LLC, which is the farm John operates along with Jim Schwarz.

Seeing all your hard work pay off, producing a good product and growing good crops. This is what you will hear If you ask Craig Johnson what makes him proud to be a farmer. “Farming is becoming more and more rare, you see fewer farms nowadays,” he said.

Duane Ducat has been doing "it" all his life. Derek Ducat grew up with "it" and enjoyed "it" as a kid. Dale Bogart moved to Wisconsin from Ohio and discovered a love for "it". What is the “it”? Farming, of course! These three...

Not everyone can say that they have a direct impact on feeding the country, but on this farm in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin, they say it with pride! Siegmund Farm LLC is a 3rd generation farm. Brothers, Lynn, Leslie and Lewis Siegmund grew up farming and continue to keep it in...

Robinway Dairy, LLC is located near Kiel, WI. Jay and Pam Binversie are the owners of this 4th generation operation that includes Dairy Cows, Beef Cattle and Custom Heifers. Jay’s interest in farming was encouraged by his dad when he was young. “When I was a...

Mark Litz is a part of Litz Farms LLC in Kiel, WI. This is the community where Mark was raised. Growing up in a farming family it was just a natural transition for him to choose agriculture for his career. “It’s in my blood,” Mark said. “I don’t...

Greendale Dairy, LLC is located in southwest Manitowoc County in the rural Kiel area. Nic Schoenberger and Mike Schuler handle the operations of this 6th generation dairy farm. An awareness about feeding the world and a curiosity about the whole aspect of agriculture was...

Matthew and Nichole Kiekhaefer are the owners of Dreamin Blu Holsteins in Greenleaf, Wisconsin. On this 3rd generation dairy farm is where they raise their children Amalee Schema, Ethan Schema, Adalyn and Ivy Kiekhaefer. Matthew is proud that they can raise the next generation...

Kyle Serwe is the owner of KMS Dairy in Campbellsport, WI. His step-grandpa Bill Guell, and Bill’s brother, Bob, work along with Kyle on this 3rd generation dairy farm. KMS Dairy is a unique operation that has the cattle graze 3 seasons of the year.

Family. At most farms, no matter how big or small, it’s the family that is the core of its existence. We find that at Phipps Family Farm in the Sheboygan County community of Glenbeulah. Phil and Brenda Phipps farm with Phil’s parents, Walter and Orlene, and Phil...

Brian Micke loves working with the cows and working with the great people within the industry. He is a dairy farmer in the rural community of Reedsville, Wisconsin. Farming alongside his parents, Richard and Nancy, they operate Micke Dairy, LLC a 5th generation dairy farm in...

Nathan Schnell believes farming has a lot to do with knowledge you gain from the experiences of the previous generations. The Schnell Family currently grow forage cash crops and raise 4-H Show Pigs on Meadow Brook Farms located in the Town of Brillion, Calumet County...

When you decide to make a career out of farming, you know there will be a lot of hard work. Airy Point Dairy is a Dairy and Grain operation in St. Cloud, Wisconsin. Earl and Yvonne Sippel along with their son and daughter in-law, Derek and Nicole, are the owners of this Fond...

For Ryan Schneider, farming was something he always enjoyed. He had a passion for it. Ryan said, “I was about 13 years old when I decided this is for sure what I wanted to pursue as a career.” Now that his son, Matt, is 12-years-old, he knows it will be time to...

At Wiese Dairy, LLC in Rosendale, WI, Bill Wiese recalls why he became a farmer. He grew up with it and really liked it. As a 10-year-old boy, he started driving tractor and was put in charge of the baling on his family’s farm. Today, Bill Wiese owns the 3rd generation...

Casey Hochkammer’s work ethic comes from growing up on a family farm. Learning the importance of hard work, having responsibilities and enjoying what you do are all lessons he is now passing on to his family.

Dan Lisowe tries to do at least one good deed a day...Dan owns and operates East Shore Dairy LLC in Chilton, WI. This is a 3rd generation grain farm located in Calumet County.“Farming is all I ever knew,” Dan said. “My Dad was a farmer and I have been milking...

A family tradition handed down from father to son for 4 generations. That is the heritage behind Vellema Farms, LLC in Waupun, WI.“It’s what we love doing, it’s a passion,” said Dennis and Matt Vellema about farming. Along with Dennis’s wife, Jane...

Mark and Mary Ryan farm alongside their son, Chad, and daughter in-law, Amy, at Ryan-Vu Dairy in Byron, WI. The Town of Byron is in Fond du Lac County and is mainly agriculture land where many Dairy farms are located. Mark had been raised on a farm and wanted to continue that...

Dave Roskopf is from Iron Ridge, WI in Dodge County. This is where he and his wife, Monica, have their farming operation, Roskopf Farms, LLC. This 2nd generation dairy was started by his dad who had moved here from Menomonee Falls, WI.

Dave Roskopf is from Iron Ridge, WI in Dodge County. This is where he and his wife, Monica, have their farming operation, Roskopf Farms, LLC. This 2nd generation dairy was started by his dad who had moved here from Menomonee Falls, WI.

As the sun comes up, Dennis Oechsner is usually mixing the feed for the cows at Oechsner Farms, LLC in Leroy, WI. He loves getting up in the morning to feed the cows and enjoys the peacefulness during the early hours of the day.

Abel Dairy Farms in Eden, WI can trace its heritage back to 1857 and the family traditions of 6 generations of farmers. Steve Abel didn’t set out to continue his families farming legacy, but eventually one thing kind of lead to another for him. His wife grew up on a farm...