•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. The Michels enjoy the opportunity to welcome visitors to their farm to learn about where their food comes from. As a part of the Ag Ambassador’s Day on the Farm Program, area school children spend a day learning about farming. The Michels have been hosts 4 times for the program. Each time, over 800 children from all over Fond du Lac, Oakfield, Campbellsport, Lomira and Eden are bussed to their farm for a day of experiences to expand their knowledge about agriculture. 

Dan grew up on a farm with his parents learning from their experiences and about the dedication it required. A farm nearby came up for sale, he decided to buy it and get started with his own operation. Soon after, Dan married Brenda and the building blocks for the future of their family farm was started. Dan and Brenda’s family eventually included five children and 4 of them have now established themselves as the 2nd generation members of the dairy operation. Dan has noticed a benefit from involving his kids in the operation. “They know how you want things done,” he said. “They have pride in what they do, because it is partly theirs.” Dan likes to keep an eye on the whole process of the dairy operation, while the others have more specified roles. Their daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Marshall Feucht, are in charge of the cows and milking. The calves are the responsibility of their daughter, Rebecca Alf, and another of their daughters, Molly Michels, helps her with them. Their son, Tyler (Slick) Michels, helps with fieldwork and wherever he is needed.

Dan’s appreciation for agriculture includes that the farming operation allows you to be independent and you get to work with the land. That independence gives them time to be involved in their community and enjoy some hobbies. Dan is a member of the Lions Club, the Sportsman Club, and the FFA Alumni for Lomira. They are members of the Lomira Chamber of Commerce. Brenda is on the Fond du Lac Agribusiness Council and part of the leadership for the Brownsville Community Club. Together they enjoy trap shooting and motorcycle riding.

Thank you to Dan and Brenda and their family at Michels Farms, LLC. for sharing their farming message for this story and with their community. We wish you continued success with including the next generations into the operation. Best wishes! 

Farmer Friday...post #58. 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.