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. That is where he met Rose and introduced her to his cows. It was love at first sight for Tom, Rose and the cows!
Farming in Holland was a challenge. It was crowded and expensive. There were 17 million people in an area 1/6 the size of Wisconsin. In 2000, the couple made their move to the United States. They drove through 25 states and selected Wisconsin as the place they would call home. People were very welcoming and supportive.
Tom and Rose’s travels would lead them to Fond du Lac county near Brownsville, WI where they would establish their dairy and cash crop operation, Crailoo Dairy, LLC. “Tom had grown up on a farm,” Rose said, “and then the love-of-my-life made me want to do it, too.” They really liked farming but understood that as 1st generation farmers in this new country there could be some challenges. They would have to adapt to what was working here and responded by making updates to the operation pretty quickly. “We feel established and the neighbors are super supportive,” Rose said. “It has never been a disappointment.”
Agriculture is their livelihood. “It’s fun most of the time,” Tom said. “It’s fun to be your own boss and be in control of how you make a living.” Tom also said that he enjoys watching how everything grows on the farm. The crops and cows are not the only thing growing on this farm, Tom and Rose have four boys. A busy schedule of school and sports keep this family on the move. Outside of the responsibilities on the farm, there are school activities to attend and a steady schedule of basketball, soccer, and football.
This was an incredible story of a young couple’s dream, a welcoming community, and a willingness to adapt and improve. Thank you to Tom and Rose for sharing your story with us. I would also like to add a note of appreciation to our community here in Wisconsin that welcomed and supported them in their agricultural endeavor. Best wishes for continued success for the Byl family and their operation!
#FarmerFriday ...post #66. 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