Women in Ag

The Year of the Woman Farmer: Becky Nyman’s Global Impact and Local Roots

Mon, 04 May 2026 12:51:01 GMT

In the quiet, early morning hours in Hilmar, Calif., the air is thick with the familiar scent of a working dairy. For Becky Nyman, a fourth-generation dairy farmer, this is the center of her universe: a multi-site, family Jersey dairy operation. And, while her boots are firmly planted in the California soil, her vision is fixed on a horizon that spans continents.

Nyman is a woman of two worlds. In one, she manages the complex regulatory and employee landscape of a high-performing dairy operation alongside her brother, Brad. In the other, she sits at the head of the table as the first female chair of the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), representing the interests of U.S. producers in high-stakes trade discussions from Paris to Beijing.

Her journey is more than a personal success story; it is a blueprint for the modern dairy leader — one who successfully bridges the gap between the family farm and the global marketplace.

The Road Back to the Farm

Like many farm kids, Nyman’s path wasn’t a straight line back to the barn. After graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and earning a master’s degree in agribusiness from Texas A&M, she spent nine years in the corporate world. By her late 20s, she was living in San Francisco, commuting to a downtown office and building a career far removed from the farm landscape of her youth.

“I didn’t realize being on the farm was really an option until I was 30,” Nyman recalls. “My dad was talking to me and said, ‘You know, there’s a place for you on the dairy if you want to come back.’”

It took time to process the shift, but in 2011, Nyman traded the city skyline for the family corrals. She joined Brad, who had moved straight into operations after college. Their partnership is a study in complementary strengths: Brad handles the daily operations, while Nyman leans into the regulatory and employee side of the business.

“I tell people I try my best to be a lawyer and an accountant,” she says with a laugh. “And I still need help from real lawyers and accountants, but that’s the role I fill on our family farm.”

(Photo by Becky Nyman)

A Culture of Perseverance

To understand Nyman’s leadership style, you have to understand Hilmar. It is a dairy-centric community where the spirit of cooperation is woven into the history of the land. It is where Hilmar Cheese was born from the shared vision of Jersey dairy farmers who saw the value in their milk’s unique components.

“Hilmar is special,” Nyman says, nodding that is where her family ships their milk. “My 90-year-old uncle recently told me that, growing up, his dad would make him go milk cows for the neighbor after her milked his own cows because they needed the help. That’s what community does — you use your strengths for the overall good.”

That sense of community is anchored by a single word that has echoed through four generations of Nymans: perseverance.

“It’s the first word that comes to mind,” she explains. “My grandfather was an immigrant who made his way to California. Every family gathering, we heard stories of perseverance. In international trade, that translates easily. You win some, you lose some, and the path is hard, but you keep going for the betterment of the industry.”

The Farmer’s Voice at the Global Table

When Nyman sits down with USDEC, she often finds herself in a unique position. In rooms filled with policy experts and corporate executives, she is often the only active dairy farmer — or one of a very few.

“Having that perspective of being on the ground is my strength in the room,” she says. “People want to hear the reality of it. They want to hear what it’s like from the source of the food. In theory, certain trade ideas look good on paper, but I can speak to the practical challenges facing the American dairy producer.”

One of her “aha” moments came during a high-level trip to China. While meeting with the Ministry of Commerce, Nyman chose to speak not just of logistics, but of community.

“I talked about how dairy farmers and agriculture, in general, have more in common than we do different all around the world,” she recalls. “One of the ministers actually took my comments and folded them into his own. He used my words to find common ground. It was an eye-opening moment — he heard me, and he realized that our shared interests were stronger than our disagreements.”

(Photo provided by Becky Nyman)

The 2026 Export Landscape: Year of the Woman

And in 2026, the work of USDEC has never been more critical. The year started with a bang, showing year-over-year double-digit growth. U.S. milk solids equivalent volume increased 12% in January — the biggest January on record. This growth was driven by cheese, butterfat and a surprising surge in nonfat dry milk.

At the recent 2026 USDEC Annual Membership Meeting, Nyman felt a renewed sense of optimism.

“Trade creates opportunities for farmers to stay on the farm and for future generations to return to it,” she told members.

The meeting highlighted several key themes Nyman is bringing back to Hilmar:

Exports are Essential: With 96% of the global population living outside U.S. borders, exports are the key to price stability and long-term growth.
The Fat Boom: Rising butterfat levels are creating both complexity and opportunity for global competitiveness.
The Protein Craze: The world’s hunger for nutrient-dense, sustainable protein — from whey to high-quality milk proteins — is not slowing down.

Perhaps most meaningful to Nyman was the recognition of the International Year of the Woman Farmer. As the first woman to lead USDEC, she views the milestone through a lens of service rather than status.

“I’m humbled about being named the first female chair,” Nyman says. “I try not to think about the title as much as just trying to do as much good as I can for our producers.”

This mindset of action over accolades is what she hopes to pass on to others.

“For many young women, opportunity starts with seeing what’s possible — and seeing themselves in it,” she says.

Her advice to the next generation of women in Hilmar and beyond is simple but brave.

“Say yes when opportunities come your way, even if it’s uncomfortable or you don’t think you’re qualified. Lean forward and never stop learning,” Nyman says.

(Photo provided by Becky Nyman)

Sustainability and the Future

In Hilmar, Nyman is practicing what she preaches on the global stage. Her operation is part of a digester cluster, where neighboring dairies came together in 2024 to share resources and infrastructure for renewable energy.

“We do what makes sense for the business,” she says of her sustainability efforts. “We do what is feasible. When I’m on international trips, I share the framework of our FARM program. It helps the world understand that we have a structure of responsibility, but I also tell them we do these things because we want to be responsible, not because of a mandate.”

The Bottom Line: It’s All About People

Whether she is navigating a complex regulatory filing in California or a trade barrier in a foreign capital, Nyman believes the dairy industry is, at its core, a people business.

“The people involved are equally, if not more, important than the cattle,” she says. “Navigating how to provide a stable working environment and fulfilling careers for our employees translates directly to trade. We are providing ingredients for industries in other parts of the world to grow and create jobs there. We are a reliable source for what they need to feed their people.”

Nyman’s journey from the family corrals to the global stage is a testament to the power of a unified voice. She serves as a reminder that the resilience of the dairy industry is fueled by families who persevere, communities that collaborate and leaders who aren’t afraid to say “yes” to the daunting, yet rewarding, work of feeding a growing world.

As she moves forward in her role as USDEC chair, Nyman remains focused on the “why” behind the work: ensuring the next generation of Nymans — and the next generation of U.S. dairy farmers — have a clear and sustainable path back to the land.

Meet the Texas Powerhouse Serving Dairy, Dad Jokes and Outfits

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:59:43 GMT

In the world of Texas dairy farming, names usually carry weight. They represent generations of land, thousands of head of cattle and a legacy of grit. But for Kyndra Brown, the name that sticks closest to home is “Peewee.”

It was a nickname given to her by her father because she was born the smallest and youngest of four daughters. To a stranger, the name might imply someone who stands on the sidelines. But to anyone who has seen Brown navigate a muddy pen in fashionable boots or manage a complex digital health suite for her herd, the name is a badge of irony. Brown is a passionate, witty powerhouse, and she is exactly what the future of American dairy looks like.

(Images provided by Kyndra Brown)

The Girl Dad Legacy

Brown is a fourth-generation dairy farmer, but her path back to the family operation in Texas wasn’t a straight line. Growing up as one of four girls, she was immersed in a world where gender roles simply didn’t exist.

“My dad never pressured us,” Brown recalls. “He wanted us to make the choice to be here.”

That choice was framed by a powerful example set by her parents. In an industry that is often viewed as male-dominated, Brown’s father, Joe Schouten, was a girl dad decades before the term became a social media trend. When fellow dairymen would joke about his lack of sons to help with the heavy lifting, he had a standard, fiery response: “I’ve got four girls who can do exactly what your boys can do — but they look better doing it.”

Brown’s mother, Debbie, was equally influential. A woman who married into the dairy life without a farming background, she quickly became the heartbeat of the operation. Brown’s mother scraped stalls with one baby on her hip, proving the dairy doesn’t care about your title — it cares about the work.

(Photos provided by Kyndra Brown)

The Psychology of the Parlor

Like many farm kids, Brown hit a point in her late teens where she wondered if there was more to life than the 2:00 AM alarm and the constant smell of silage. She left the farm to study psychology, fascinated by human behavior and emotion. For two years, she immersed herself in the “why” of people.

But the call of the land is a physical one.

“I went back to what I know,” she says. “And it was the family dairy.”

For eight years straight after school, Brown didn’t just manage; she labored. She milked, she pushed cows and she cleaned pens. In an era where people struggle to hit 10,000 steps a day, Brown was regularly clocking 22,000 steps before lunch. That season of physical intensity was her true education. It gave her the boots on the ground perspective no textbook could provide.

Today, that background in psychology serves her in ways she never expected. Whether she’s managing employees, navigating family dynamics or communicating with concerned consumers on social media, she understands the human element behind the milk check.

This unique blend of mental insight and physical endurance has shaped her philosophy on the industry: resilience is more than a trait — it’s a prerequisite for growth. Brown has learned the dairy industry’s most valuable lessons are often disguised as failures, turning every challenge into a stepping stone for refinement. By embracing the struggle rather than fearing it, she maintains a competitive edge that keeps her operation moving forward. As she puts it, “Setbacks only exist to move you further than the next person who is trying less.”

(Images provided by Kyndra Brown)

Old School Grit Meets New School Tech

The Moo View Dairy operation in Dublin, Texas, is currently a fascinating study in the dairy margin revolution, so to speak. Brown sits at the intersection of her father’s old school wisdom and the industry’s technological future.

Her father still operates with a pen and a notebook.

“Actually, hundreds of them,” Brown shares, noting he has a paper record of every cow, every calf and every health event stretching back 30 years. “‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ is his mantra.”

Brown respects that history, but as an elite operator, she knows data is the key to the modern margin. She has introduced activity monitoring systems like CowManager tags.

“Technology is a great side kick,” Brown explains. “It fills the gaps. It tells me if a cow’s temperature is rising before I can see it with my own eyes.”

She also adds she will never overlook boots-on-the-ground value.

“I want to see it, smell it and hear it for myself,” she says.

(Images provided by Kyndra Brown)

Starbucks Partnership & Sustainability

This commitment to the future recently led Moo View Dairy into a high-level sustainability partnership with Starbucks. By prioritizing cow comfort and resource recycling — specifically repurposing lagoon water for flush systems and manure for crop nutrients — Brown is ensuring the operation remains as efficient as it is productive.

In May 2025, the farm qualified for tier two of the Starbucks Sustainable Dairy Program. This achievement unlocked a cost-share initiative currently being used to install advanced sand and manure separators. Slated to be fully operational by September, these systems represent a significant leap in waste management. The project will allow the dairy to recycle all sand used for cow bedding and modernize their recycled water flush system for cleaning freestalls and pens, creating a closed-loop system that bolsters both the environment and the bottom line.

(Images provided by Kyndra Brown)

Fashionable in Manure:

Perhaps Brown’s most visible impact is through her social media presence and her seat on the Dairy MAX board. She is intentionally “fashionable in manure,” a phrase that sounds like a joke but carries a serious message.

“I get comments all the time underestimating me because of my outfit,” she says with a laugh. “Since when does an outfit determine my capability to show up?”

By documenting her life on YouTube and Instagram, Brown is bridging the gap between grocery store and the dairy farm, or ‘teat to table’ as she likes to call it. She shows the 2:00 a.m. wake-up calls, the extensive labor that goes into cow care and the sophisticated science of milk production. With her approach to providing education and entertainment, she isn’t trying to sell a product; she’s trying to enlighten a consumer base that has become disconnected from its food source.

Her message to the next generation of women in agriculture is simple: “When in doubt, lead.”

“If you have an opportunity for experience, take it. If you have a question, ask it. It’s not a competition,” she says. “It’s teamwork for humanity to help feed the world. There are plenty of things we have to do alone in life; learning from each other in the world of agriculture shouldn’t be one of them.”

(Images provided by Kyndra Brown)

Full-Circle Life Moment

Now in her early 30s, with a husband, Cody, who has since joined the family dairy operation, and their four-year-old son, Brown’s life has come full circle.

“It’s a lifestyle you have to see to appreciate,” she says. “It’s hard to express that to people who just see it as a job. For us, it’s a partnership between the animals and the land.”

Kyndra Brown may always be “Peewee” to her father, but she has firmly established herself as a female dairy farmer who has made a name for herself on her own terms. She serves as a living reminder that the “Made in the USA” label is far more than a geographic marker; it is a testament to the people who possess the courage to evolve, the grit to work and the unique style to make the hardest days look effortless. By blending her family’s deep-rooted legacy with a modern, innovative vision, she isn’t just maintaining a dairy — she is building a durable future for the next generation.

The Cream Rises in West Alabama: The Return of Circle J Dairy

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:07:04 GMT

In the quiet, gently rolling landscape of Gordo, Ala., the rhythmic hum of a dairy parlor had been absent for nearly three decades. For 27 years, the Junkin family acreage held the memories of a lifestyle that seemed to have vanished with the closing of the twentieth century. But in 2022, that silence was finally broken. The cows are back, the bottles are filling and a new generation is proving the dairy industry in west Alabama isn’t just a part of the past; it is a vibrant, thriving part of the future.

The story of Circle J Dairy is a powerful homecoming — a narrative of a legacy interrupted, a family’s resilience and a bold reimagining of what it means to be a dairy farmer in the 21^st century.

A Legacy Interrupted

The roots of Circle J run deep into the Alabama soil, stretching back to 1956. That was the year Ralph Junkin Sr. — known to his family as “Papa” — started milking cows at just 19 years old. He began with a small herd in a little white flat barn that still stands today, a silent witness to the generations that followed.

For nearly 40 years, the Junkin family lived by the clock of the dairy. Jessica Vails’ father, Ralph Junkin Jr., was born 10 years into that journey and grew up with the barn as his classroom. After attending Mississippi State in the 1980s, Ralph Jr. returned to the home place to work alongside his father. At its peak, the original operation milked 200 cows, shipping bulk milk commercially.

However, the mid-1990s brought a perfect storm of low milk prices and rising costs. In 1995, just one year before Jessica and her twin brother, Seth, were born, the family was forced to sell the herd. It was an economic decision, but an emotional tragedy.

“My dad says that was the worst day of their lives,” Vails recalls. “They didn’t want to sell. They loved it. For my papa, everything revolved around those cows.”

The cows left, but the land remained. For nearly 30 years, the Junkins focused on poultry and beef cattle, but the “dairy itch” never truly went away. Papa passed away in 2011, never seeing a Holstein or Jersey return to the home place, but his spirit remained the foundation for what was to come.

(Photos provided by Circle J Dairy)

The Spark of Reinvention

Vails grew up with the stories of the dairy, but she never expected to be the one to bring it back. While a junior at Mississippi State majoring in agricultural communications, she was at a crossroads. She knew she wanted a career in agriculture, and the lingering tug at returning to her roots pulled deeper and deeper.

Vails’ lightbulb moment came when she read about a woman who had started a direct-to-consumer dairy. She realized the reason her grandfather had been forced out wasn’t a lack of passion — it was a lack of control over the margin.

“We decided that if we were going to do this, we weren’t going to be at the mercy of the bulk milk market,” Vails says. “We were going to be the processors. We were going to own the whole chain.”

This was the birth of the vertical integration model for Circle J. Instead of getting big, they decided to get personal.

Building the All-in-One Dream

The transition to a professional creamery was a family marathon. From July 2021 to December 2022, the family moved dirt and laid the foundation for an all-in-one facility. Under a single roof, they built a modern milking parlor, a state-of-the-art processing plant and a cute farm store.

They started small, milking just 14 cows — mostly Jerseys for their high component levels and rich cream, with a few Holsteins in the mix. But the community’s hunger for local milk was something they underestimated.

“We started selling to the public on Jan. 1, 2023,” Vails says. “We had five delivery spots lined up, and we quickly realized 14 cows wasn’t going to cut it. We had to keep buying cows just to keep up with the demand.”

Today, the herd has grown to nearly 60 head, and Circle J milk can be found in 22 grocery stores, including local Piggly Wigglys, as well as five coffee shops and four restaurants.

(Photos provided by Circle J Dairy)

The Cream-Line Difference

What makes the Circle J product so special is the commitment to traditional quality. Their milk is not homogenized; it is cream-line milk, where the cream naturally rises to the top.

“Our milk is as pure as you can get,” Vails explains. “Most people like it better than other brands of milk the grocery stores have to offer because ours is vat pasteurized at only 145°F and not homogenized. It also reminds them what real milk used to taste like.”

The farm store opens its doors every Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Customers don’t just buy milk, chocolate milk and ice cream; they watch the process. Through a large viewing window in the parlor, families watch the cows being milked into glass weight jars — vintage equipment Ralph Jr. salvaged from old dairies to maintain a connection to the past.

A Family’s Resilience

The return of dairy to Circle J Dairy is a true family affair. Vails’ father helps with the cow side of the business – breeding, herd health and record keeping – and her mother serves as foreman of the creamery, as well as helping milk, too. Vails’ husband is also a huge part, lending a helping hand with milking, delivering milk and feeding calves.

“My mom handles the pasteurizing and the ice cream recipes — dutch chocolate, vanilla bean, and butter pecan. I handle the marketing, the labeling and the milking, as well as help with milk deliveries. It takes every one of us to make this operation work,” Vails says.

Watching it all is two-year-old Lula, the fifth generation. Sporting rubber boots, she is already learning the “shoo” of the cows and the rhythm of the parlor. For Vails, seeing Lula in the barn is the ultimate full-circle moment.

“Seeing the next generation learn what we do on a daily basis is the coolest thing ever,” she says. “Lula loves to help feed the bottle calves and help in the milking parlor.”

(Photos provided by Circle J Dairy)

Reclaimed Legacy

As Circle J Dairy looks toward the future, the goal remains the same: clarity and control. By processing their own product and selling it directly to their neighbors, they have bulletproofed their legacy against the volatility that took their cows away in 1995.

Vails is now the face of dairy in a region that had nearly forgotten what a local milk bottle looked like. She has bridged the gap between her grandfather’s flat milking barn and a modern, tech-forward creamery.

“I think Papa would be down here every single day if he were still with us,” Vails says. “He’d be giving advice and probably trying to help us milk. I just hope we’re making him proud by keeping the roots alive in a new way.”

In Gordo, Ala., the silence has been replaced by the sound of progress. Circle J Dairy isn’t just selling milk; they are selling a return to the land, a connection to the community and the enduring power of a family that refused to let their heritage fade away.

“My dad always says: ‘Just do your best, work hard and it’ll all be fine,’” she says. “We all still try our best to stick to that advice daily, too.”

Carving a New Path: How Wisconsin Native Transforms Cheddar into a Canvas for Dairy Advocacy

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:01:01 GMT

Most people look at a 40 lb. block of cheddar and see an ingredient. Vicki Janisch sees a canvas and a way to stay rooted in dairy, even after her family stepped away from milking cows.

In the last few years, the Wisconsin native has built a one‑of‑a‑kind career as a professional cheese carver. Her work has shown up at weddings, college sports announcements, major dairy events and even tied into the NFL Draft.

But if you ask her, it’s less about the spotlight and more about staying connected to the industry that shaped her.

The Day Carving Found Her

The idea first took shape during a normal day at the office. Janisch was working at Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin when Sarah Kaufmann, a skilled cheese carver from California, stopped in to carve for a project.

Curious about how it all worked, Janisch asked if she could come over and see the process for herself. Watching the carving up close stopped her in her tracks. Seeing the tools, the technique and the transformation from a simple block of cheese into a detailed sculpture lit a spark inside her that she couldn’t quite shake.

“I fan girled hard,” Janisch says with a laugh. “I was just in awe of what she could do and what she starts with. I thought, ‘This is the coolest thing ever! You get to carve cheese?’ I mean, cheese already tastes good, but now you get to put your artistic spin on it. That’s sounds like the best job in the world.”

Watching Kaufmann work, Janisch began asking all sorts of questions: What tools do you use? What cheese do you use? How do you turn this into a business?

After a steady stream of questions, Kaufmann smiled and offered a simple solution.

“[Sarah] goes, ‘Well, why don’t you come and carve with me tomorrow?’” Janisch recalls. “It was my birthday, and I had already taken the day off. So, I thought, ‘Yeah, why not? I’ll go.’”

The next day, Janisch spent several hours carving alongside Kaufmann and quickly realized how absorbing the craft could be.

“You can really lose track of time when you’re doing it,” Janisch says. “It’s such a fun medium to work with, and I loved just getting the chance to try it for myself.”

That night, she went home and ordered her own tools.

“I didn’t really tell anybody that I was doing it,” Janisch laughs. “I just wanted to carve for fun. I ordered some clay carving tools off Amazon and played around with some cheese I had in the fridge. I had no idea it was going to escalate as quickly as it did.”

(Photo Provided By Vicki Janisch)

A Carving Career Takes Shape

After that first experience, carving became something she kept returning to. Before long, friends and family started to hear about her new hobby. One of those conversations turned into an unexpected opportunity.

“A friend of mine came to me and said, ‘Hey, I know you’ve been doing this. Do you want to do my niece’s wedding? Would you be up for making a cheese wedding cake?’” Janisch remembers. “And I’m like, as my first project, this sounds awesome. But I have no idea what I’m doing.”

After saying yes, she sourced a 40 lb. block of cheddar and some wheels and built a tiered cheese “cake.” The display quickly became a major hit with guests and showed Janisch just how much excitement a carved cheese centerpiece could bring to an event.

(Vicki Janisch)

“As things kind of progressed and friends and families started hearing what I did, I started to get more requests,” Janisch says. “It was all through word of mouth, and the list of projects continued to grow.”

As more projects came her way, Janisch’s late-night hobby grew into something bigger, and with it came a larger time commitment. After a while, it became clear if Janisch wanted to keep carving, she would need to make some changes.

A Leap of Faith and an LLC

“Two years ago, I made a big leap of faith and decided I needed to change my routine,” Janisch says. “I have two really active kids who I wanted to spend more time with, and I was ready to create a new path for myself.”

After some reflection, Janisch left her 9-to-5 job to launch her own business, Janisch Creative, where she works as a creative and digital communications director. That change gave her the flexibility she needed while staying connected to communications, and her cheese carving business became the creative outlet that balanced everything else.

Originally, when she made the big jump, she promised her husband the cheese carving projects would stay small. But now, she jokes her definition of small has changed.

“I told him, ‘It won’t get out of hand.’ But I think our perspective of small keeps changing,” she laughs. “But it’s been so fun doing all of this as a family. Having my kids around to see what their mom can do has been pretty cool.”

(Vicki Janisch)

Respect for the Product

Janisch now runs her cheese carving business with a producer’s mindset: Respect the product, respect the people behind it and don’t waste what they’ve made.

“When you think about the craftsmanship that goes into cheese, it’s already so good on its own,” she says. “And then I’m blessed to be able to put my creative spin and artistic stamp on it.”

But it also means she has to carefully manage the product to keep the cheese fresh. That started with her first business purchase.

“My first business expense was a refrigerator,” she laughs. “Most Midwesterners have a beer fridge. We have a cheese fridge, and it’s stacked with insane amounts of cheese just waiting to be carved.”

While carving the cheese, she also had to figure out what to do with the scraps. It was her firm belief nothing should go to waste.

(Vicki Janisch)

“When I’m carving for an event, I’ll box up some of the scraps for people to eat on a charcuterie board or for the company to utilize,” she says. “But if I’m doing a living carving, those scraps can’t be eaten. So, I bring them back home and feed them to my chickens.”

Of course, mistakes still happen, and sometimes a piece of the sculpture doesn’t turn out as planned. Luckily, the cheese makes for a tasty medium to work with.

“If I mess up, we eat it,” she laughs. “There is no waste. We just have grilled cheese for a month.”

As her carving career continues to grow, Janisch has made a point to stay connected to the local cheese crafters who inspire part of her work.

“I’ve made it a really solid goal to work with cheese companies in Wisconsin,” she says. “I worked with over 20 cheese companies last year, and I’ve gotten to form personal relationships with those who are making the cheese.”

Those relationships have also helped her learn an important lesson. When it comes to carving, the type of cheese matters just as much as the design.

(Vicki Janisch)

Her Favorites

Even after years of experience, not every cheese behaves the same. Different textures and inclusions means Janisch has to adjust her approach.

“There are some cheeses that are more difficult to work with than others, but I just have to adjust how I handle it,” she says. “The tools I use are different for different cheeses. For some of the flavored cheeses, like pepper jack, where there’s items mixed in, you have to handle things differently.”

That’s where her relationships with Wisconsin cheese makers becomes critical. Texture, moisture and aging all influence whether a design holds its shape or begins to crumble.

“Cheese makers can make low moisture and aged cheeses. But if they’re aged too long, they don’t work as well for carving,” she explains. “I’ve found my sweet spot is usually a 90-day aged cheddar.”

Having conversations with cheese makers allows her to plan each project with the right product from the start.

“Because these cheese makers have it so dialed in, we can talk the science behind the cheese that I need. I’m not having to source just a random block of cheddar. I can go and find cheeses that I know are going to hold up for the project.”

Fortunately, Janisch has yet to meet a cheese she doesn’t like and is willing to give just about anything a try.

“Blue cheese is on my bucket list,” she laughs. “But I don’t think I’m ready to chase after it just yet.”

Over time, finding her favorites has become less about a single variety and more about matching the right cheese to the right project. Whatever the choice, she’s thinking about both the carver and the consumer.

(Vicki Janisch)

Connecting Farmers, Cheese and Consumers

While cheese carving has become a new adventure for Janisch, her connection to the dairy industry runs deep. She grew up on her family’s dairy farm in southern Wisconsin, participating in 4‑H and showing animals at local fairs. That hands‑on experience and dirty‑boot roots instilled in her a natural sense of advocacy and a pride in the industry that now helps her connect with consumers through her cheese carving.

“I love having the opportunity to tie it back to the farmers,” she says. “Growing up on a dairy farm, I understand that once you ship milk, it becomes products like cheese. But a lot of times, farmers don’t talk about what happens after that.”

For Janisch, that connection between the farm and the finished product is an important part of the story she hopes her work helps tell.

“Consumers want to know that they’re supporting dairy farmers, and they do that through the products those farmers help produce. I can talk to consumers about the farmers, the cheese and the cheese makers,” Janisch explains. “It’s one thing to be able to talk about cheese carving, but I’m able to tell more of the dairy story when I go to some of these events.

Her role, as she sees it, is to bridge the gap between the people who make the milk and the people who enjoy the finished product. And even though her family no longer milks cows every day, Janisch says cheese carving keeps her anchored to a larger purpose.

“This lets me be part of something bigger than myself,” she says. “When we were dairy farming, it wasn’t just about our farm, it was part of a larger story. Cheese carving helps me stay connected to that.”

(Photos Provided By Vicki Janisch)

Craft and Connection

Today, when Janisch picks up her carving tools, she’s doing more than shaping cheese — she’s celebrating the craftsmanship behind the product and the farmers who make it possible.

Her client list now reads like a seasoned professional’s portfolio rather than a hobbyist’s. Some of her standout creations include:

The Lombardi Trophy for the 2025 NFL Draft
The University of Wisconsin Men’s Basketball schedule
Musical notes for events at the Grammys
Showpieces for state food festivals
Custom carvings for major industry events

What began as curiosity has grown into a creative way to stay connected to the industry that shaped her.

“I never would have imagined that any of this was possible,” Janisch says. “But I leaned into the power of saying ‘yes.’ And it’s been the most amazing journey.”

And with every block of cheese she transforms into something special, Janisch knows she’s helping tell a story that starts long before the carving ever begins.

The Grace of the Stillness: A Lesson in Healing

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 13:07:39 GMT

In the span of just two weeks, the rhythm of my life was violently disrupted, replaced by a forced stillness that I never saw coming. It began on the evening of February 27, when a black truck turned left directly into my vehicle’s path. The impact was high-velocity and terrifying, painting my mid-section with a map of deep purple contusions and bruising that stretched from hip to hip. But as I sat in the quiet aftermath of deployed airbags and twisted metal, my physical pain was eclipsed by a profound sense of luck. My husband and I walked away. We were alive. We were discharged to go home. The script of that night could have been written very differently, and we knew it.

However, survival was only the first chapter. Just a few days later, I moved from the trauma of the near-fatal accident into the sterile reality of a planned surgery — one that carried a daunting eight-week recovery timeline. Suddenly, the woman who is used to directing the flow of a busy household and a demanding career found herself anchored to a bed, restricted by a 10 lb. lifting limit and the heavy fog of pain medication and fatigue.

Then, as if to test the very limits of my resolve, the sky turned white. A spring blizzard swept across the farm, bringing with it the biting wind and heavy snow that demands every hand on deck. From my window, I watched the world turn cold while my home hummed with a different kind of energy. Because it was spring break, all of my children were home. And because of the elements that Mother Nature graced us with, they were outside, plowing snow, bedding calf huts and taking over the extra chores that define farm life in a storm.

The Weight of the “Mind Over Matter” Mantra

As I watched them, a heavy, suffocating sense of guilt filled the room. I wanted to be out there. I wanted to be of service, to be the one hauling the buckets or — at the very least — the one standing over a hot stove preparing a meal for the exhausted crew coming in from the cold. Growing up on a farm, often we are raised on a steady mantra “mind over matter.” Farm women are legendary for their toughness. We are the ones who push through the flu, the ones who work until the job is done, the ones who equate our value with our productivity.

But as I lay there, sore and exhausted, I realized my toughness was being called upon in a way I hadn’t practiced before. I had to learn the foreign concept of extending grace to myself.

Strength Through Grace

I had to understand rest isn’t a lapse in character. It is a required ingredient for a future of service. To truly lead my family and my community, I had to lead by example in the art of self-care. I had to embrace the season of stillness I was in, allowing my body and mind to knit themselves back together. I had to accept that for this brief moment in time, the most productive thing I could do was to kick my feet up and sleep.

It is so much easier said than done. It feels like a betrayal of our nature to let others wait on us. Yet there is a sacredness in allowing those you have spent your life serving to serve you in return. It allows them to grow, and it allows you to heal.

If you find yourself in a season where you are doing “less,” please listen to your body and your doctor. Do not mistake rest for weakness. Whether you are recovering from a literal collision or the metaphorical storms of life, remember the farm will stand, the chores will get done, the farm family will manage to find something to eat and the world will keep turning. Allow yourself the grace to be still. For once, let the help come to you. Because in the end, that is the only way we truly heal.

A Wisconsin DVM’s Path: Injury, Motherhood and an Evolving Field

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 17:49:10 GMT

“Watch out, little girl.” The first time someone hollered that across a dairy alley, she wasn’t entirely sure how to take it.

Valerie Baumgart, large-animal veterinarian with United Veterinary Service in Wisconsin, was still a student then, following her mentor through herd checks, trying to stay out of the way while cows shifted and shuffled past. At 5' 2" and blond, she was easy to spot. Easy to underestimate, too.

“Initially I was offended,” Baumgart says. “Then I kind of thought it was funny, and then I was like, ‘Watch out, little boy.’”

The farmer who said it, Scott, is still one of her favorites. Years later, he wasn’t just telling her to move. He was calling her first. Running management decisions past her. Asking for her perspective. That shift — from the little girl who needed to step aside to the trusted veterinarian — has become one of the defining arcs of her career.

In many ways, though, she was headed here long before that alleyway.

The Rabbit That Started It All

Apparently, her mother saw it coming first. When Baumgart’s childhood pet rabbit died, her mom braced for tears and heartbreak. Instead, her daughter looked up and asked, “Can I take its fur off and see what’s underneath?” Her mother likes to joke that she realized then her child would either become a serial killer or a veterinarian — and strongly encouraged the veterinary route.

“I’ve wanted to do this forever and ever,” Baumgart says.

She grew up in Wisconsin agriculture, surrounded by beef cows, show pigs, lambs and long days at her grandparents’ and aunt and uncle’s dairy farm. She and her cousin once begged to take over the tie-stall barn someday. Her uncle refused.

“He, with 100% of his soul, said, ‘I will never let you do that. I don’t wish that upon anyone.’”

At the time, she was devastated. Dairy farming felt like destiny. Now, she sees it differently.

“The industry is just, it’s brutal,” Baumgart says. “And these dairymen and women that I work with are extraordinarily talented.”

She’s grateful she wasn’t handed 60 cows and a tie-stall barn to manage. Instead, she gets to support the families who are making those enormous, life-shaping business decisions.

Leaving, Learning and Coming Back Home

At the University of Minnesota, where she completed her undergraduate studies, Baumgart joined the livestock judging team and traveled widely, seeing production systems across the U.S. She spent a semester in Montana doing beef nutrition research with USDA and was struck by how dramatically cattle production differs region to region. The differences in mentality, management style and medicine fascinated her.

She recalls her vet school experience at the University of Wisconsin consisting of caffeine and chaos.

“A lot of coffee, a lot of late-night studying,” she says. “Vet school is a blur.”

At one point, she swore she would never return to her hometown. Today, she lives about 30 miles from where she grew up and has been with United Veterinary Service since graduation. The place she once dismissed became the place she built her career.

A First — and the Will to Prove the Critics Wrong

Baumgart was the first woman the practice hired. To her, it felt less like a headline and more about showing up to do a job and do it well.

“It doesn’t really matter who you are and where you’re from, as long as you’re gritty, determined, motivated and not willing to put up with anybody’s baloney,” she says.

There were comments early on, being the “short blond girl” sent for physically demanding calvings. She isn’t sure whether it was about her height, her gender or because she was a rookie. Most criticism, she’s careful to point out, had little to do with being female at all.

“To be really honest with you, the criticism just made me want to do more, just do better, work harder, prove them wrong,” Baumgart says.

Today, the clinic is split evenly between men and women. She sees the broader shift in veterinary medicine — classes heavily female — as a strength.

“It’s a true blessing to be able to have different personalities, different skills and different ways to approach clients and challenges,” she says.

Diversity isn’t a talking point to her. It’s a practical advantage.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Baumgart’s height does come up frequently, usually in good humor. In displaced abomasum surgeries, her incision placement is lower than most.

“My surgical incision is really low because my arm is really short,” she explains. “I have to reach all the way over to the other side, so I just give myself an advantage by starting lower.”

Producers tease her about it. She teases back. What she learned early on is that large-animal medicine isn’t about brute strength.

“It’s not about gusto strength,” she says. “Oftentimes I just have to position things a little differently … just working smarter instead of harder and asking for help.”

In the beginning, Baumgart felt she had something to prove; her size and inexperience loomed larger in her mind than in reality. Over time, wins built confidence.

“Once you get a couple of wins under your belt, people really just start to trust you and rely on you,” she says.

And once trust is established, the work becomes collaborative rather than performative.

The Day the Alley Went Quiet

(Photos Provided By Valerie Baumgart)

In August 2024, everything came to a halt. Baumgart was sorting heifers before a herd check. The alleyways were slick. A heifer slipped, caught her leg and fell over it. Baumgart’s foot stopped against the scraper.

“My foot stopped, but my leg kept going,” she says.

Both bones in her lower leg snapped.

“I grabbed my thigh and picked up my leg, and I saw my lower leg flop the opposite direction,” she recalls.

The herdsman looked pale enough to faint. The dairyman dragged her to safety. The heifer stood up and ran off. She didn’t.

Baumgart was off work for four months. Healing was physical and emotional.

Even now, scrambling heifers make her step aside faster. But what lingered most was perspective.

“Tomorrow’s not guaranteed,” she says. “I’m going to do the best that I can do for the time that I’m helping them, and then I’m going to go be a mom and a wife.”

On her broken-bone anniversary, she brings doughnuts into work — small celebrations marking survival and gratitude.

Priortizing Faith, Family and Farming

For someone who once declared she didn’t want children, motherhood has reshaped everything. Baumgart and her husband have two daughters, ages 5 and 3.

“Being their mom is what God made me to be,” she says without hesitation.

About a year ago, her oldest faced serious challenges that forced her to recalibrate priorities. Baumgart doesn’t elaborate, but she doesn’t need to.

“Family is No. 1. Faith, family and then farming,” she says.

Agriculture, she says, is the best possible classroom for raising children: “Agriculture teaches so much about empathy and perseverance.”

Her daughters sometimes accompany her on calls, though they’re quick to inform her that she smells like cows when she gets home.

“It’s OK,” she tells them. “We love cows, cows are really cool and we can take a shower.”

Barn alleys and cookie decorating happen in the same afternoon. Baumgart will assist with a calving in bitter weather while her daughter sits safely in a farmhouse kitchen watching old Westerns. Both worlds matter; neither cancels the other out.

(Valerie Baumgart)

From ‘Little Girl’ to Trusted Resource

Years after that first “watch out,” the same producer began calling Baumgart directly for input.

“It was just really cool to go from the little girl that needed to get out of the way to his first phone call and his resource for decision-making,” she says.

That transformation, more than anything, is the story. Not being the first woman hired. Not enduring criticism. Not even surviving a broken leg. It’s about earning trust through consistency, humility and hard work.

“We will become the veterinarians that our clients want us to be,” she says. “If our clients trust us … we will grow and we will evolve and we will learn.”

Advice for the Next Generation of Veterinarians

Baumgart’s advice to young women entering veterinary medicine is direct and unsentimental.

“Follow your passion and know that it’s not going to be sunshine and daisies all the time,” she says. “You’re going to fail, and you’re going to learn from it. Keep your nose to the grindstone. Figure out what really matters. Don’t make it complicated, and stay humble.”

In her world, simple systems, smart positioning and steady humility go a long way.

Leading Through the Storm: How This Mother of Three Navigated a Dairy Transition Alone

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 13:25:07 GMT

In the quiet rolling hills of Franklin County, Pa., near the small town of Newburg, the hum of a dairy farm usually signals the steady rhythm of a dream realized. But a year and a half ago, that rhythm was shattered in an instant. For Kerri Weber, co-owner of Rustik Dairy LLC, a routine day of hoof trimming ended not with the satisfaction of a job well done, but with a frantic 911 call and a prognosis that offered almost no hope.

Her husband, Rob, had suffered a Grade 5 subarachnoid brain aneurysm — the most severe type of rupture possible. As the surgeon told Weber that first night: “All we can do is pray.” She made a silent, steely vow: she was bringing him home.

What followed is a story of perseverance that defines the modern woman in agriculture. It is a story of a first-generation farm built from scratch, a business transition finalized in an ICU waiting room, and a community that proved the dairy industry is less of a business and more of a family.

(Photos Provided By Rustik Dairy LLC)

From the Ground Up

Kerri and Rob Weber didn’t inherit their legacy — they rented it, one barn at a time. Both grew up with a passion for cows — meeting, fittingly, while showing cattle — but starting a dairy from scratch in the 21^st century is a feat many call impossible.

“You’re not going to start at the top,” Weber reflects.

For eight years, the couple operated as nomadic dairymen, renting tie-stall facilities and moving their growing herd as opportunities arose. They lived by a strict philosophy: You have to go through all four seasons before you make a judgment call. They crunched numbers on $16 milk and $20 milk, knowing their break-even points by heart.

Their break came when they returned to the farm where Rob had worked as a teenager. They entered a partnership with brothers Wayne and Brad Beidel. It was a phased transition — a lifeline for a young couple looking for a permanent home for their Holstein, Jersey and Brown Swiss cattle. By the time the first brother, Wayne, retired, Rustik Dairy LLC was formed. They were four years into the second phase of the transition when the world stopped turning.

107 Days of Uncertainty

The day of the injury was like any other until Rob walked into the barn office, spoke Weber’s name, and collapsed. While he lay in a coma for four weeks, Weber’s life became a grueling marathon. She was the mother of three young children at the time — twins who were only 18 months old and a five-year-old daughter.

For 107 days, Weber balanced the sterile silence of hospital hallways with the demanding noise of a 180-cow dairy. She stayed by Rob’s side for nearly every one of those days, yet she never let the farm slip. She did morning milkings when she could, managed the books from hospital chairs and coordinated a team of part-time help that stepped up to become full-time heroes.

“One day at a time” became her motto.

“One day was one more day that I kept Rob alive,” she says.

The Choice in the ICU

Perhaps the most defining moment of Weber’s strength occurred four weeks into Rob’s stay in the ICU. The second partner, Brad, was ready to finalize his retirement. Weber was faced with a choice that would break most people: sell the cows and walk away to focus on her family, or sign the papers to buy out the partnership and take over the entire operation alone.

She chose the farm.

“I was convinced he was coming home,” Weber says. “And I knew he couldn’t come home to an empty barn. He needed something to fight for. If the farm was gone, he wouldn’t have that fight anymore.”

A week after Rob finally returned home, Weber officially took over the management of the entire dairy. She became the sole decision-maker, the lead manager and the primary caregiver for both her husband and their children.

(Photos Provided By Rustik Dairy LLC)

A Miracle in the Barn

Today, Rustik Dairy is not just surviving; it is thriving. The herd of 180 cows is averaging 24,000 pounds of milk with 1,000 pounds of fat and 800 pounds of protein — a remarkable feat given that 40% of the herd consists of color breeds.

But the real success is measured in the small moments. Rob is a walking medical miracle. Though he faces mental challenges, fatigue and the need for ongoing surgeries, he is back on the farm. Weber has integrated technology to help him navigate his new reality. They installed the Topcon feed app, which uses color-coded scales and sounds to help Rob mix feed — a task he once did by memory but now performs with the help of digital eyes.

“Farmers don’t forget what they’re doing,” Weber notes. “It’s muscle memory. He can still drive a tractor better than I can.”

To make life more manageable, Weber moved the calf-raising operation. They built a new calf barn right outside the house so the children can play among the hutches while Weber and Rob work. It allows the family to stay together, fulfilling the dream they had before the accident: raising their children in the barn.

The Power of the Dairy Community

When Kerri reflects on the past year and half, she doesn’t just talk about the struggle; she talks about the silver linings. She speaks of the Amish and Mennonite neighbors who showed up to feed calves without being asked. She speaks of the dairy community that sent diapers, clothing and two meals a week for over a year.

“You don’t have that anywhere else. That love and support... you don’t see that outside of the dairy community,” she says, noting the incredible importance of their families who pitched in from Day 1 to help in anyway they could. “We couldn’t do what we do without the support of our families.”

Even the farm’s nutritionists and veterinarians became part of the inner circle, understanding the “Rustik story” so well that Weber didn’t have to explain her weaknesses — they simply jumped in to fill the gaps.

Looking Forward: One Day at a Time

As spring approaches, the family continues to focus on gratitude. Weber continues to manage the herd with a focus on component growth and efficiency, but her primary objective remains unchanged: keeping the family together.

The journey hasn’t been easy. There are setbacks, like Rob’s shunt revision surgery, and the difficult mentalities that a brain injury can sometimes leave behind. But Weber finds joy in the simple things: a walk through the freestyle barn, the sight of their daughters holding bottles for calves, and the fact Rob is there to see it.

“I look at life differently now,” Weber says. “You don’t realize how quickly life can be taken for granted until it’s nearly gone. I’m just thankful for what I have today, even when the circumstances aren’t what I expected them to be.”

Kerri Weber is more than a dairy farmer. She is a testament to the fact that a farm is held together not just by fences and gates, but by the determined spirit of the women who refuse to let the dream die. At Rustik Dairy, the cows are milking, the children are growing and the miracle is just beginning.

Love for the Lifestyle: How One Herdsperson is Making a Big Difference

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 21:10:07 GMT

Just five years ago, Justine Holland’s days revolved around her clients: formulating the perfect colors, artfully styling hair, and intently listening like a therapist. Today, her “clients” are 650 cows on a dairy in central Michigan. She still practices science, art, and intentional care. It just looks a little different now, and in her words, it’s “a lot better.”

Holland grew up around the corner from Sanborn and Sons Dairy in Hubbardston, Michigan. Throughout high school, two things that occupied a lot of her time were sports, including braiding hair for her teammates, and picking rocks.

“I went on to hair school,” Holland recalls. “I did that, and I liked it, but did I love it? No. I looked at hair as not really a full-time job, and I always wanted to do something extra.”

She found her way back to the farm by asking the owner if there was anything available. At first, it was washing equipment and getting ready for field work. “I just loved that more than my hair job,” she says. “But I still did hair for a few years, and then I started walking the barns.”

She went back to the owner. “Is there a position for this? Can I learn about cows?”, she asked. And by the time Holland’s first child was born, she walked away from the cosmetology industry to focus on her daughter and the dairy.

(Image Provied)

Holland’s drive and eagerness to learn led to a full-time position as the herd manager. With on-the-job training and an inquisitive nature as her primary source of education, she now does everything from herd health to computer work and payroll and helps in the field if needed.

“My passion for cows and learning about these creatures – they’re just remarkable. I could talk about them for days,” Holland says. “So I really switched roles and people crack up when they hear it. They say, ‘You’re a hair person, you look great, we can’t even believe you work on a dairy.’”

But it’s true. Holland says she’s deeply invested in the entire cycle of life, from manure hitting the field to her role in a long and healthy life for each cow. Her local vet knows it’s serious when she calls, because there’s so much she can – and loves to – handle on her own.

The progress around the farm is a product of that passion. “I’m interested in sustainability and finding ways the dairy can do better,” Holland says. “And I’ve been able to make a lot of changes for the better.”

Having someone who truly loves working with cows allowed those who had seen it as a chore to focus on their own strengths in the field and shop. The whole operation has benefitted.

Holland also dove into the systems the farm was using. She completed courses and trainings to make sure they were getting the maximum benefit from programs like PcDart and CowManager.

She noticed that the cows were at their best in a quiet barn where they could relax, so she reduced commotion and extra staff around the cows. Once-a-week bedding changes and storing the sand on concrete directly influenced both production and milk quality. Calf health was improved when she suggested transitioning from indoor housing to hutches.

“I always tell myself how thankful I am that my boss lets me do all these things,” Holland says. “He’s always telling me to run the dairy as if it were my own.”

One of the best contrasts from the hair stylist days for Justine is that she’s no longer the therapist. “I will talk to the gals, and they just listen,” Holland says. “I’m just out here trying to give my cows a healthy life and get healthy dairy products. Our cows are so comfortable and are literally spoiled. There might be bad things that happen, but the days are not bad at all.”

(Image Provided)

Single Mom's Dairy Success: Juggling 4 Kids and 1,500 Cows

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 18:30:00 GMT

Growing up, nobody ever told Mitzie Blanchard she couldn’t do something simply because she was a girl. And although Mitzie’s father discouraged her from moving back to the family farm thirty years ago, that had nothing to do with the fact she is a woman. His deterrence was fueled by the fact that the dairy industry is a tough business to be in, and his farm’s facilities were aging fast. Speared by her spitfire and hardworking personality, Mitzie was determined she would prove her father wrong and own and operate her own dairy.

Early Beginnings

Starting with 45 cows on her Charlotte, Iowa farm, Mitzie grew her herd one step at a time. Today, along with her four sons, Mitzie milk 1,300 Holstein-Jersey crossbreds and farms an equal number of acres, raising mostly corn, alfalfa and triticale, of which all goes back to feed the herd.

Mitzie is no stranger to hard work. She was raised on her family’s farm, and in 1986 her father, Ron Ketelson, decided to sell his herd in the whole herd government buyout program. With his entire herd going to slaughter, Ron figured that would be the end of any cows being milked on his eastern Iowa dairy farm.

Mitzie had other plans. Five years to the day after her father’s cows left, she moved back to the family farm with a small herd of cows and her sons.

Today, three of her four sons, along with a nephew who Mitzie essentially raised as a son, work full-time on the family farm, Blanchard Family Dairy, LLC.

Like most farm kids, Mitzie’s boys were expected to help with the work. And that they did. Mitzie credits much of her success to her boys constantly being by her side. The ‘boys’ are now grown men – BJ, Seth, Brian and Brent – who saved their own money earned from working at the dairy to buy their own cows.

Her oldest son, BJ, says he knew from an early age he would follow in his mother’s footsteps. Like his mother, BJ is a natural-born leader and has taken on the roles of monitoring feed, managing manure and overseeing the crops.

“I just like working outside,” he shares.

Her other sons who work on the farm help in different capacities. Seth works as a general laborer, Brian oversees the shop and maintains equipment, and Brent is being groomed to take over his mother’s role as a herdsman.

Expansion Over the Years

Nearly 20 years ago the Blanchard’s put up a 500-cow barn, their first major expansion. At the time, they formed an LLC when Mitzie’s sons were between the ages of 13 and 21 years old. Under the advice of the farm’s accountant, the sons became official co-owners of the farm.

In 2012 and 2014, additional 500-cow barns were added, along with expanding the milking parlor in 2014. In 2017, growth came to a halt, as their milk cooperative instituted a production cap.

Growth has always been Mitzie’s mantra, but she also has put a keen focus on high components and solid reproduction to help dial in on efficiencies and profitability.

Reminiscing, Mitzie knows her father is proud that the family dairy legacy continues, and she recalls that he often would stop by the dairy to take it all in. Her father was proud, not only of his daughter for being determined to make it work, but of her boys for following in their mother’s shadow.

Joy and pride are also found in Mitzie’s heartbeat, as she has been able to watch her boys grow with responsibility. Each has taken on pivotal roles that have shaped the dairy for success. She recalls back to 2009, and while most producers remember it as one of their worst years, she remembers it differently. She says it was one of her best, as her boys had been educated on some tough lessons.

“They learned early on how to refinance loans and cut costs,” she says. “It was wonderful to watch my boys come into their own as young leaders.”

Mitzie says she has no regrets, even though the journey over the last three decades hasn’t been an easy one. Together, as a family, they have figured it out, using each expansion as a learning curve and a steppingstone for success.

This past summer Mitzie turned 60, and the boys and their families celebrated their heroic mother by taking her off the farm to go on a trip to Colorado. The once nonstop worker admits she is starting to slow down and confesses that she doesn’t worry about the future of the farm she fought hard for.

“I’m reassured by my son’s ability to run every angle of the dairy,” she says. “Undoubtedly it will take hard work. If I have taught them anything, it is how to work hard.”

Celebrating Women Empowerment in the Indian Dairy Industry

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 12:41:43 GMT

In a powerful presentation at the 2025 IDF World Dairy Summit in Santiago, Chile, Meenesh Shah, the chairman and managing director of the National Development Dairy Board (NDDB) in India, highlighted the significant strides India is making in empowering women within the dairy sector. With India being the largest milk producer globally, this advancement is not just about scale but the social transformation it fosters among women in rural communities across the nation.

The Backbone of India’s Dairy Success
India’s dairy industry thrives on a unique small-scale farming system. With more than 230,000 village dairy cooperatives, these entities provide a lifeline to more than 18 million families across the nation. Remarkably, about 35% of cooperative members are women. This representation has grown significantly, with an increasing focus on empowering women to comprise 50% of the total membership.

“Our daily system is different. It’s a small-scale dairy farming system where the production is by masses ... and 92% of the farms have one to four animals,” she says. “It’s actually providing nutrition to the livelihood for the 80 million rural households.”

Catalysts of Empowerment
The cooperative model serves as a potent tool for women’s empowerment, offering them financial independence and authority within their households. With digitalization facilitating bank account accessibility and identity validation, more women are enrolling as cooperative members. These cooperatives collect about 68 million liters of milk daily, with women contributing 24 million liters.

The economic impact resonates deeply. Women now have direct access to earnings, enabling investment in family welfare, such as education, health and better living standards. The empowerment extends beyond economics, bolstering women’s confidence and enhancing their roles as decision-makers in their families and communities.

“The social economic empowerment for the women members is because they get money in their hand, and they have freedom to spend where they want,” she says. “And it’s leading to the improved standard of living, which is providing self-confidence to them, enhancing awareness and also improving the decision-making status of the women member generally in the male dominated society.”

Transformational Stories and Achievements
A study revealed that placing financial resources in the hands of women in dairy farming positively impacts their families’ education, nutrition and health. Women are responsible for 60% to 95% of dairy-related tasks and 50% of decision-making. This involvement not only nurtures their communities but also inspires shifts in social dynamics.

“We also realize that when you put money in the hands of women as compared to the man in the family, the money is better spent,” she says. “It is spent for the education of the family members, marriage of the children or the health or literacy of the family. And today we are experiencing almost one-third of the women they have the economic empowerment and the social recognition because of these efforts made and providing this productive economic engagement to the women in the rural areas.”

Through initiatives led by the NDDB, 23 producer organizations have been established, with 16 exclusively comprising women. These entities manage significant collections of milk daily and have amassed impressive earnings, illustrating the success of these empowerment programs. Additionally, women’s leadership within these cooperatives has been bolstered, with 154 women directors participating in governance.

Recognition and Future Prospects
The impact of women’s empowerment in India’s dairy sector has not gone unnoticed. International recognition, such as the IDF Innovation Award, celebrates these achievements. Figures like Sri Devi, chairman of Srija Producer Organization, exemplify the transformative journey from an ordinary milk producer to a leader, with her daughter now pursuing higher education in the U.S.

Ultimately, the women of India’s dairy industry redefine traditional roles, transforming grassroots production into a globally recognized force. Their stories underscore the broader social impact of economic empowerment and inspire continued support for female participation in this vibrant sector.

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Driving Results for U.S. Dairy: A Journey of Innovation and Trust

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 14:03:43 GMT

The winds of change are sweeping across the dairy fields of America, guided by the adept leadership of Barbara O’Brien, president and CEO of Dairy Management Inc. Her commitment to steering the U.S. dairy industry toward growth and innovation exemplifies the power of collective effort and resilience in navigating a rapidly evolving landscape.

From Tradition to Innovation
O’Brien took the stage last week at the Joint Annual Meeting hosted by the National Milk Producers Federation, the National Dairy Board, and the United Dairy Industry Association in Arlington, Texas, sharing that she has embarked on a nationwide tour, visiting a diverse array of farms and local promotion boards from Michigan to west Kansas.

“Visiting farms offered valuable insights into various business operations, technology and teamwork that define dairy farming today, regardless of geography or scale,” she says, noting the message remains clear: Innovation is breathing new life into traditional practices, and unity in the industry is crucial to accomplish what no single farmer can achieve alone.

Investing for Momentum
The mission is straightforward: transform investments into momentum by building trust, growing demand and ensuring the future of U.S. dairy. Dairy Management Inc. leverages science, scale and speed-to-market strategies to empower farmers and enhance the dairy category. This shift from a defensive stance to one of leading with confidence is reshaping market dynamics, favoring a proactive approach over a reactive one.

“There was a time, three maybe five years ago, when headlines were dominated by aggressive and well-funded plant-based challengers. Farmers asked: What are you doing to fight back?” O’Brien says. “The answer is we didn’t just fight. We changed the game, followed the science and led. We didn’t tear others down. We built dairy up.”

Dairy in the Consumer Market
The renaissance of dairy in consumer markets highlights strategic maneuvering in response to the rise of plant-based competitors. Rather than refuting these alternatives, the industry fortifies its position through innovation and storytelling grounded in nutritional science. As consumers increasingly appreciate dairy’s taste and nutritional value, retail reports reflect an uptick in sales.

“Over the last 52 weeks of 170 food and beverage categories studied, dairy products ranked in the top 15 for growth, no matter the metric … absolute unit or dollar growth, percent volume growth and fastest growing in units or dollars,” O’Brien reports.

Building Trust Through Transparency
Trust remains a cornerstone of this strategy. With consumers seeking transparency regarding food origins, the dairy industry emphasizes openness and addresses concerns around animal care and climate change. Initiatives like the First 1,000 Days showcase dairy’s pivotal role in early childhood development and positively shape consumer perceptions.

“In partnership with MilkPEP, USDEC and our state and regional teams, we brought dairy’s science-based benefits for cognitive growth and early nutrition to parents and health professionals through earned media, podcasts and leading professional conferences,” O’Brien says. “That work reached more than 60,000 pediatric care specialists, shared dairy science at 30+ national conferences and generated over 21 million media impressions.”

Driving Demand with Partnerships
Innovative partnerships are key to driving demand. Collaborations with renowned brands such as Domino’s and Taco Bell have led to exciting new product offerings, while strategic campaigns with retail giants like Walmart and Costco ensure dairy’s prominence in consumer markets.

“Even in a tough environment, with inflation and cautious consumer spending weakening restaurant traffic, we’re still seeing strong gains in dairy utilization with three of our four major foodservice partners,” O’Brien says. “Our team has already developed new product platforms for a McDonald’s turnaround in 2026, and as the largest user of dairy in U.S. foodservice, we expect big news ahead.”

Encouraging Long-Term Growth
Looking ahead, the industry remains focused on long-term growth with its strategic Unified Plan, setting clear sales goals and emphasizing dairy’s health and wellness potential. At the heart of these initiatives is the determination of America’s dairy farmers, whose stories of progress and community fuel this remarkable journey.

“So, let me end where I started; at the heart of every result we deliver is the dedication of America’s dairy farmers, through your tireless efforts to feed people and care for your land and animals, and through your ongoing commitment to today’s dairy research, education, innovation and promotion organization,” O’Brien proudly says. “You make it possible for us to tell a powerful story — one of progress, care and community.”

Teamwork Between Promotion and Policy
As chair of Dairy Management Inc. board, for the seventh year, Marilyn Hershey, Pennsylvania dairy farmer also took to the stage, sharing her passion and purpose for DMI, as it maximizes research, partnerships and marketing efforts.

“This unified approach allows every farmer’s dollar to work harder and drive tangible results, contributing to an all-time high in dairy consumption,” she says.

Hershey says the DMI board success relies on the synergy between policy and promotion.

“Collaborative efforts with NMPF and IDFA bolster our influence, providing credible science and knowledge to shape industry conversations,” she says. “The retirement of Randy Mooney, NMPF chairman, underscores the importance of leadership that supports our shared goals.”

Driving Results by Making Your Voice Heard
U.S. dairy maintains a sturdy global presence, supported by partnerships and leadership that engage in global food and nutrition conversations.

“We continue to assert our own narrative, a significant shift from when international perceptions defined us,” Hershey says.

Progress is driven by engaged partners, both in and out of the trade show arenas. Encouraging community engagement, we invite everyone to share ideas and connect through various networking opportunities. By fostering these connections, we forge a secure future for U.S. dairy, upholding the legacy of American farming while setting new food trends. Together, we are driving results that will ensure the industry thrives for generations to come.

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New Mom on the Farm: Learning to Step Back and Watch

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 19:00:54 GMT

I’ve been a farmer my entire life, but becoming a mother has changed the way I see the farm.

For years, the hours outside my off-the-farm day job have been spent helping on my family’s dairy. Whether it was milking cows, feeding calves or hauling hay, I made sure to pitch in wherever I was needed. But all of that changed when my daughter, Nova, joined our family in August.

Prior to becoming a mother, I had always been a hands-on, dirty-boots kind of girl. I often teased my husband that he married me because I was a good farm hand. But when Nova arrived, everything shifted. Motherhood redefined what “helping” meant for the next few months.

(Taylor Hildebrandt)

For the first time in my life, I had to learn how to step back and watch from a distance. Instead of milking cows or pitching in with harvest, I found myself observing from the kitchen window, watching tractors roll through the driveway and listening to the hum of the milk vacuum from afar. And while I was head-over-heels in love with my newborn daughter, I felt torn between two worlds. The one I’d always known and the one I was just beginning to navigate. I wrestled with the urge to dive back in, to do it all, to be the same hands-on person I had always been.

At first, that new rhythm was hard to accept. I was running on little sleep, learning how to be a mom while still wanting to stay connected to the farm. But over time, I began to see that stepping back didn’t mean losing touch with the life I loved. It meant learning to be present in a new way and that my purpose was shifting, not fading.

(Taylor Hildebrandt)

This new role as a mom is the most important job I will ever have. The same care, patience and determination that farming has taught me now shape the way I raise my daughter. And while the farm will always be a part of who I am, being Nova’s mom has given me a deeper sense of purpose and a new way of seeing the world.

As I step into this new season, I’ve leaned on the wisdom and example of so many strong women in agriculture who have walked this path before me. My mom, my mother-in-law and countless other farm moms have shown me what it means to balance family, faith and farming with grace. Their quiet strength and steady hands remind me that there’s more than one way to show up and make a difference.

(Taylor Hildebrandt)

Now, as my daughter grows, I feel myself slowly returning to the farm in a new rhythm. I’m not back to doing everything I once did, and that’s okay. I’ve found joy in the small steps, like taking Nova out for a walk through the calf barn, showing her the cows up close and watching her take in all the sights and sounds of the farm. There’s something special about rediscovering our way of life through her. And I look forward to the day when she can walk beside me in her little boots, helping toss hay to the heifers and feed calves.

They say time flies when you bring a child into your world, and it’s true. Soon, Nova will be old enough to understand that she’s growing up in a special place, one that’s raised generations of hardworking farmers before her. And as I’ve navigated this new season of life, I’ve realized that becoming a mom has not pulled me away from the farm. It has changed how I belong to it. I’ve learned to find beauty in the pause, in standing back and in noticing the life around me.

Building Resilience on the Family Farm: A Dairy Story of Legacy, Grit and Passion

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 14:29:47 GMT

In the heart of western Minnesota, the delicate balance of tradition and modernity reverberates through the rhythmic hum of the vacuum pump at Golombiecki Dairy. Established in 1947 by a visionary grandfather, this family-owned dairy farm stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of legacy passed down through three generations.

Like many dairy farms, Golombiecki Family Farms LLC in Morris, Minn., is deeply rooted in family tradition and resilience. From its humble beginnings, returning Vietnam veteran Ron Golombiecki infused the farm with new life, marrying a veterinarian who became an integral part of their farming journey. Expanding their operations to two sites, Ron’s ingenuity and dedication kept the farm thriving through challenging times.

“My father would truck feed back and forth,” his daughter, Elizabeth Golombiecki, shares.

Adapt to Change
In the early 2000s, the family decided to streamline their efforts, consolidating the herd to one site and retrofitting their old stanchion barn to a flat parlor with a double-eight parlor.

“I appreciate that we can now milk twice a day in less time than it took us to milk once,” Golombiecki states.

Soon after, Golombiecki Family Farms received a letter from their processor saying they were going to triple their stop charges.

“The additional cost wasn’t feasible for us and we talked about selling out,” Golombiecki, who was just in high school at that time shares. “I remember not being ready to give up on the chance of potentially selling milk. I didn’t know if I wanted to take over the family farm then, but I knew I didn’t want to lose that chance either. And, I was pretty sure that if we sold the cows, it’d be really hard to start up again. So, I started emailing people and trying to figure out how to get a new market for our milk and DFA arose. We’ve been with them ever since.”

Challenges and Memories
The family’s resilience didn’t stop there. They continued milking cows and retrofitted the parlor once again to a double eight in 2016 to dial in efficiency.

It was only a few years later, in 2019, that Ron passed away after battling pancreatic cancer. The children cling to long conversations with their father during milking time. Their late father didn’t sugarcoat dairying and had cautioned them about the challenges of farm life. Yet, the wisdom he imparted — like never selling their land and understanding the power of perseverance — helps them weather the storm.

“We lost dad in the spring of 2019, which was almost a saving grace. I think he would have had way too much stress on his hands trying to watch us struggle that spring, as planting did not go well. Most of our acres ended up being prevent-plant. We were short on feed for our cows. We ended up bailing the neighbor’s cover crop because we just needed feed,” Golombiecki recalls.

(Provided by Elizabeth Golombiecki)

Today, Golombiecki and her brother, Lester, share the day-to-day responsibilities — from paperwork to milking and feeding cows — in perfect harmony. Their younger brother, William, who is currently in the National Guard and exploring his future path, remains an integral part of their family’s future.

Resilient Family Bond
Reflecting on shared memories, Golombiecki recalls milking alongside her father, sitting on his cherished milking stool — a symbol of their unbreakable bond.

“Dad loved to milk cows. It was a peaceful place to kind of clear his head, dream and be creative,” she says. “I remember going around with my milking stool before we got our parlor.”

The siblings share they have a mountain of memories they cherish deeply. Their smiles widened as they remember coming off the bus as kids, running to the barn and knowing they could always find their dad there and talk to him about anything and everything.

“There’s something about working with your family that you get to experience all those things together,” Golombiecki says.

For this Minnesota family, dairy farming is more than just a business. It’s a lifestyle. Through grit and resilience, they’ve been able to sustain their small dairy operation while others nearby have become much larger in scale.

“We are a diverse farm. We have more crop acres than what we need to feed our cows,” she says, noting that strong beef prices have also helped add dollars to the bottom-line. “It helps make the whole picture work together.”

Building resilience on a family farm is more than physical labor. It’s about embracing the spirit of those who came before, cherishing shared memories and celebrating the unwavering pride of a family’s heritage. The Golombiecki Dairy stands as a living testament to the power of family and tradition, echoing timeless lessons while embracing new possibilities.

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Farm Moms: Balance Harvests and Heart with Practical Meal Tips

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 14:03:42 GMT

Harvest time is a season of relentless energy and unwavering dedication. As the roar of a diesel tractor marks the beginning of the summer harvest, some farm families opt for a plan that merges practicality with care. A couple of dairy farm moms share how they have perfected the balancing act of feeding and nurturing their families amidst the busiest times of the year.

The Practical Pioneer: Emily Zweber, Minnesota Farm Mom
In Elko, Minn., dairy mom Emily Zweber has been navigating hay season alongside her husband for over two decades. Her secret? Simple, yet effective meal prep. Over the years, Zweber has discovered special field meals aren’t a necessity.

“If that is your thing, awesome,” she says with encouragement. “But also, if special field meals aren’t your thing, awesome.”

Working side-by-side on their dairy farm with her husband Tim, and their trio of children, Zweber milks 100 grass-fed, organic cows and manages 400 acres. Amidst this, she sends her crew out with lunchboxes filled with “preschool snacks,” designed to be eaten with dirty hands, that can endure a day in a warm lunch box. The selection includes apples, frozen string cheese, veggie pouches, and, of course, the humble PB&J.

Zweber’s message is empowering: farm moms shouldn’t stress over juggling multiple roles. The pressure to achieve perfection is replaced by her mantra to work smarter, not harder.

The Efficient Enthusiast: Kristina Haverkamp, Kansas Farm Mom
Echoing Zweber’s sentiments is Kristina Haverkamp from Seneca, Kan. Juggling a full kitchen in the shop and an acreage of responsibility, Haverkamp keeps her refrigerator stocked with sandwich staples and healthy snacks. The convenience is vital as every load of silage is weighed at their shop.

“I ensure the fridge is stocked with cold water and even cold beer for the end of the day,” Haverkamp shares.

When the workload intensifies, she prepares goody bags with a hot sandwich and additional snacks. For Haverkamp, it’s all about maintaining momentum and boosting morale.

Despite her busy schedule of chores, she orchestrates this routine seamlessly. Her efforts ensure everyone is content, allowing the farming operations to continue without a hitch.

“Hats off to all of us who work in acres not hours,” Haverkamp declares, celebrating the tireless spirit of farm moms everywhere.

Zweber and Haverkamp showcase a common truth among farm moms across the U.S. – efficiency without sacrificing heart. As farm wives and mothers become increasingly busy this time of year, there’s a gentle reminder from these seasoned experts: it’s perfectly okay to work smarter.

Best Tips
Cooking for a crowd doesn’t have to be a burden. In fact, some of the best meals are born from simplicity and a touch of innovation. Whether it’s a one-pot wonder, a quick bite between tasks, or a hearty dish that fuels the entire team, your tips can transform the way we see meal preparation — not just as a chore, but as a way to nourish our community.

So, fellow farm warriors, what’s your favorite field meal snack or tip? Truth be told, most moms hate the question, “What’s for dinner?” So, when the meal load becomes heavy — as we are not only feeding our families, but also the crew helping us farm — let’s rally together, supporting each other through the rhythmic dance of farming and family life.

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3 Dairy Women Offer Advice on Balancing Family, Farming and Community

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 13:21:36 GMT

Balancing life responsibilities can be a challenge for anyone, and those in the dairy farming industry are no exception. In a recent Professional Dairy Producers Dairy Signal webinar, three dairy farmers, Sandy Larson, Heather Moore and Suzanne Vold, provided a glimpse into their daily lives and shared their experiences, highlighting the delicate balance between work, family and community commitments.

The Faces of Modern Dairy Farming
Sandy Larson is a pivotal figure at Larson Acres in Evansville, Wis., where three generations work together to care for 2,800 cows on more than 5,000 acres. Larson’s engagement extends beyond farming; she’s involved in local and national agricultural boards, providing insight into the ever-evolving world of agronomy and dairy production.

Heather Moore co-owns several businesses, including Moore Family Farms and Moore Family Farms Creamery in Maquoketa, Iowa. Her journey began with a small herd of 35 cows and has grown to include a multitude of livestock and a successful creamery. Moore balances these demanding ventures while raising five children, demonstrating her dedication to both her family and the agricultural community.

Suzanne Vold operates Dorrich Dairy in Glenwood, Minn., along with her husband and brother-in-law. Managing 500 cows with robotic milkers, Vold is heavily involved in sustainability efforts through her work on various national dairy boards, striving to create a future for the industry that balances tradition with technological advancement.

Raising the Next Generation
A recurring theme for these women is how they involve their children on the farm while allowing them the freedom to discover their interests. Vold, for example, has encouraged her children to pursue activities and experiences outside of farming, creating a neutral attitude toward agriculture, where support is given regardless of their career choice.

“I don’t think any of my kids are going to be joining our farm at least full time, and that’s perfectly okay,” she says. “I think we have raised them, as my husband says, with a neutral attitude toward agriculture, that if they want to be part of the farm, that’s amazing, we will work to find a spot for them. If they have something else that they really want to do with their life, we’ll support that 100%.”

Moore emphasizes the importance of supporting her children’s passions, just as they support her work on the farm. Whether it’s attending soccer games or getting involved in their interests, her approach highlights the mutual support required within the family unit.

“We kind of viewed our job is to create an atmosphere that potentially, they would like to come back to as an employee, as an owner, but if they don’t come back, then, you know, we want to make those positions attractive for other people to kind of continue this legacy, whether it’s in our family or if it’s within trusted employees,” Moore says, noting that her kids are still too young to know what their future will include.

Larson shares how her kids were busy in 4-H and sports, but she was anxious about how they would be part of the farm on a regular basis.

“I was really anxious about that. How was I going to accomplish that? I didn’t get them on a schedule, maybe on weekends or something, but they did feed calves, or they were out in the fields, or mowing the lawn,” she says. “Somehow I’ve gotten my kids to enter that direction.”

Juggling Community Involvement and Business
Community involvement is another aspect where these women excel. They actively participate in local events and industry committees, each sharing their strategies for managing these additional roles. Vold highlights the importance of finding volunteer opportunities that align with her interests, where everyone is committed and pulls their weight.

Moore stresses the significance of surrounding herself with reliable individuals who can share the load, whether it’s employees on the farm or partners in volunteer ventures. She also emphasizes being honest about what one can take on, ensuring she supports the community in ways that don’t overstretch her resources.

Finding Balance
It’s clear that finding equilibrium in all these aspects of life is a common struggle. Larson, Moore and Vold agree on one thing: No one can do it all at once. It’s about selecting meaningful commitments, setting boundaries and being realistic about your limits. They remind us that achieving a balance between family, business and community is more of an art than a science, requiring constant adjustment and reassessment.

The insights from these three not only paint a picture of life on the modern dairy farm but also provide inspiration for anyone striving to balance the competing demands of life, work and community involvement.

To watch the entire webinar that includes a deeper conversation on work-life balance with these three farmers, go to The Dairy Signal | PDP

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Finding Community and Resilience: A Journey Beyond the Finish Line

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 13:43:29 GMT

In life, there are moments when we are called to do things we never planned for — or even wanted to do. But fate often inserts the right people at the right time to shift our paths. This adage rings true for Wisconsin dairy farmer Katy Schultz, and her fellow dairy runners Peggy Coffeen, Julie Veldhuis and Kelly Davis. United by faith, determination and the dairy industry, these women set out on a quest beyond their expectations by running the Every Woman’s Marathon sponsored by Team MILK in Savannah, Ga., last fall.

The Birth of a Running Community
The foursome embarked on their training to finish 26.2 miles together, where they shared not just the physical challenges of running but also each other’s personal triumphs and struggles. According to Schultz, running became her “thing,” but she encourages there is indeed something for everyone.

“Find something to stretch you in all aspects — physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually — and go after it with passion,” she says. “You can do hard things you’ve never imagined you could do.”

Meanwhile, Coffeen, host of the “UpLevel Dairy Podcast”, rediscovered a sense of community. A runner by nature, Coffeen realized running alongside others filled voids she didn’t know existed.

“What I found with these ladies was a missing piece after 20 plus years: community. A community built on commonality with dairy and faith,” she says.

This journey, inspired by connection, transformed each woman’s perspective and brought about an unexpected camaraderie.

(Provided by Katy Schultz)

Embracing Life’s “Hard Things” Together
During the marathon in the Georgia heat, Coffeen noted the incredible superpowers that emerged from each woman in moments of exhaustion and pain. This bond extended beyond race day, fostering growth in every facet of their lives.

Veldhuis, returning to running after personal setbacks, credited this marathon for breaking down walls she’d unknowingly built up. After enduring life’s hardships — including intense training disruptions — she bravely committed herself to the race, embodying the belief that life’s challenges are best faced with friends by your side.

“I became fiercely independent telling myself that if I wanted anything done, I’d need to do it myself,” she says. “I was surviving, sure. But I wasn’t letting anyone in. And then came the months of marathon training, full of encouragement, shared struggles and honest moments with women who saw me — really saw me. Looking back, it’s clear: God knew exactly what I needed. He always does.”

For Davis, who works for STgenetics, training and running this marathon was one of the most amazing and emotional experiences she says she has had in her life.

“It truly was the experience that showed me I can do hard things,” she says, noting the other women were the best cheerleaders and overall support team.

The Race Beyond Expectations
What started as a means to personal achievement evolved into something infinitely more significant: a shared adventure of healing, laughter and friendship.

As Veldhuis reflects, “It was everything I didn’t know I needed — and more.”

Running taught her, and ultimately all of them, that you can do hard things — both on track and in life.

As these four dairy women raced together, they grew beyond the confines of their planned paths and accepted the unplanned beauty life offered. Schultz, Coffeen, Veldhuis and Davis demonstrated sometimes the race isn’t about the physical miles — but the emotional and spiritual journey.

Veldhuis sums it up best: “What started as a race turned into something so much bigger: healing, connection, and a gentle, yet powerful reminder. Even when we think we’re doing just fine on our own, we’re often one ‘yes’ away from something extraordinary.”

The dairy marathoners remind us to embrace life’s unexpected journeys, cherish the communities we build and trust that sometimes the best experiences come from taking unplanned paths — that’s where extraordinary happens.

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Finding Strength in Adversity: A Wisconsin Farm Girl’s Inspiring Journey

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:13:51 GMT

Growing up on a Wisconsin dairy farm, Sydni Mell was no stranger to hard work. Like most farm kids, she had chores before and after school, and often fed calves on her family’s 200-cow dairy in Waunakee, Wis. Little did she know the resilience and courage ingrained in her upbringing would become vital tools in facing unwelcome adversities that awaited her after high school.

A Dramatic Turn
After graduating from high school, Mell moved to Madison to study dairy science at the University of Wisconsin. Even during school breaks, she would return home to help on the farm. One day in 2022 during Easter break, while dealing with the farm chores alongside her brother, Sam, tragedy struck. While uncovering plastic in the silage bunker, Mell slipped on a concrete sidewall, causing her to fall into another bunker that was empty. With his older sister unconscious, Sam, only 16 at the time, called for help as his sister lay motionless.

A Diagnosis That Changed Everything
Mell was rushed to UW-Madison hospital, where she stayed for a week and received the diagnosis of a complete injury, leaving her unable to move her legs. Unyielding in spirit, Mell advocated to be transferred to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, renowned for rehabilitation, where she began her new journey of adjusting to life with paralysis.

“I wanted to learn to walk again,” she says, noting that with a complete injury diagnosis the plan quickly changed to helping her readjust to life in a chair, which frustrated her as other patients were learning to walk again.

“I went from having a lot of hope to feeling frustrated that they didn’t have hope for me,” she shares.

Returning Home
Indeed, her resolve was tested, yet Mell remained determined to return to her studies and not lose her academic momentum.

“I didn’t want to fall behind,” she says, and she eagerly awaited to be reunited with her friends from the Association of Women in Agriculture at UW-Madison, which she says became her lifeline, providing essential support and acceptance.

“If I didn’t have the friends that I made that first semester and a half at school, I would have not gone back,” she says. “People look at you differently when you are in a chair, but I never got that feeling from my girls.”

Adapting to New Challenges
Thanks to workers’ compensation, Mell received a high-powered wheelchair, enabling her to navigate the campus effectively, although she notes not every area of the campus is accessible. Despite the challenges, she looks forward to graduating with a degree in dairy science this spring, while contemplating her future. Returning to the farm to continue feeding calves and lending a helping hand or assisting other dairy farms in a tech role were exciting prospects. Mell smiles big and says she’d love to do both.

“I find being outside and on farms very therapeutic,” she says.

A Therapeutic Bond with Animals
The fresh air, the smell of the farms, working with family — many would concur with Mell that farms are indeed therapeutic places. With genuine warmth, she adds that animals treated her no differently, unbothered by her being in a chair.

“Calves don’t look at me differently,” she says. “They are used to me being in a chair.”

Although she openly shares that independence remains a constant struggle for her. Tasks such as lifting milk replacer bags now require help, which causes her frustration.

“I’m an independent woman,” she says. “I don’t like asking for help.”

To better accommodate Mell’s wheelchair, the farm is constructing a new calf room, aiming to enhance her ability to perform tasks independently. The spirited 20-something’s attitude remains undeterred, accepting that she cannot change the past yet is hopeful about the future.

Finding Strength in Faith
Mell recently received the prestigious Socrates Award from the Brennan Rehabilitation Foundation; an annual $1,000 lifetime grant. These funds will financially assist in alternative therapies such as acupuncture and massage therapy, which she believes will benefit her still-strong legs.

Despite the setback, she holds firm to the belief that medical advancements could one day allow her to walk again.

“The medical world is changing and finding new things every day,” she says.

Mell’s grounding faith, nurtured long before her accident, bolsters her resilience daily.

“I read the Bible every day and that gives me the strength in the morning to just get up,” she shares.

Family plays a critical role in Mell’s life, with her brother Sam emerging as one of her greatest supporters. From carrying her upstairs to providing emotional strength, their bond is unwavering. Weekly, Mell’s father and brother assist her in staying active using a treadmill where she is harnessed in and they help her move her legs, showing a shared commitment to her rehabilitation.

“Even on the hard days, having family that worships together and being there for one another has been one of the greatest blessings,” she says.

Having a strong faith has allowed Mell’s mental health to remain strong through it all. She says she focuses on the now and doesn’t think what the future may look like.

“I can only control what’s happening in the moment,” she says. “I have to keep hope alive — that is what keeps me going.”

Sydni Mell’s journey is one of hope, faith and remarkable resilience. Her ability to focus on the present and keep hope alive underlines her story as an inspiration. While significant barriers remain, her unwavering spirit and the love of those around her continue to guide her through the ups and downs, making her journey a testament to overcoming adversity.

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The Heartbeat of This Minnesota Family Farm

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 13:00:55 GMT

In recent years, more women have emerged as pivotal figures on U.S. dairy farms, breaking traditional gender roles and becoming the backbone of family-run agricultural businesses. One such woman is Rita Vander Kooi, a dairy farmer from Minnesota who has not only embraced her role but has flourished in it. Through her popular social media pages, “Married and Farming,” Vander Kooi also shares her life and passion for farming with an ever-growing audience.

The Family and the Farm
Vander Kooi works alongside her father-in-law, Dave, her husband, Joe, and their five children on their bustling family farm in Worthington, Minnesota. Together, they manage an operation that includes milking 2,500 cows and running a custom corn silage harvesting business, as well as a cash crop enterprise. The Ocheda Dairy’s unique beginnings trace back to Dave’s high school FFA project, where he bought a small group of cattle.

For the Vander Koois, the farm is more than just a business; it’s a way of life. Their biggest blessings are their children, aged 5 to 18, who work with them on the farm.

“Being together as a family is one of our greatest joys,” Vander Kooi says, highlighting the significance of family unity in their daily operations.

Evolving Roles on the Farm
As her children have grown older, Vander Kooi’s role on the farm has evolved considerably. While she treasures the moments spent at home as a full-time mom, she’s become increasingly active in the dairy’s daily operations.

“Being a mother will always be my greatest calling,” she emphasizes, reminding us of the delicate balance she maintains between motherhood and farming responsibilities.

In her day-to-day work, Vander Kooi collaborates closely with employees, overseeing the crucial care of newborn calves, pregnant heifers, and fresh cows. Her responsibilities also include coordinating with consultants and salespeople for farm meetings, managing payroll, and one of her favorite tasks – preparing delicious meals for everyone involved in their harvest season.

A Social Media Influence
While Vander Kooi wears many hats, including farmer, wife, and mother, her role as a social influencer has grown. Online she goes by the handle ‘Married and Farming’ and has garnered more than 34,000 followers on Facebook alone.

“I began my social media platform as a way to promote the goodness of rural America and farm life, and also as a way of recording the events of our farm and family,” she shares, noting that she began promoting dairy on social media after attending a Midwest Dairy workshop.

Although Vander Kooi admits that with the evolution of how consumers receive information, she set aside her blog page and has put the focus on social media, with a large emphasis on Facebook, along with Instagram.

“For the past two years, I have consistently posted a photo or video every day. It is part of my daily routine, and it really forces me to see things daily through the eyes of our consumers,” she shares. “It has led to many great conversations, friendships and opportunities.”

Engaging the Community
Vander Kooi doesn’t attempt to shove information in the face of the consumer; instead, she encourages them to think about issues and ideas.

“It is very humbling to have people I hardly know approach me to tell me how much they enjoy my content,” she shares. “It motivates me to continue even on the busiest of days.”

For Vander Kooi, the blessing isn’t in the sheer number of followers or views. It’s by opening her barn doors and sharing her farm’s good dairy story through social media that she is helping bring a positive light to agriculture. While this Minnesota dairy woman often straps on boots to head to the barn, Vander Kooi admits her inspiration for content is a whole family affair.

“My husband is the most supportive person I could ever imagine, and my older kids just make fun of me, often pretending they are creating content,” she says. “Our oldest son has a talent for photography, and I am so thankful he often sends me photos and videos from the field. Our oldest daughter helps me with tech needs and keeps me up to date on trends.”

At the end of the day, Vander Kooi finds her heart stretching wide, as she continues to build trust and promote the dairy industry positively, as well as continue to be the heartbeat of her family’s southwestern Minnesota farm. Through her dedication and passion, Vander Kooi exemplifies how women are reshaping the narrative of rural America and agriculture.

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Love For Lexi: A Wisconsin Dairy Farm Kid's Big Battle For a New Heart

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 14:19:12 GMT

Lexi Anderson looks like a typical 12-year-old kid. The sixth grader is full of life and so much spunk.

“How long have you been coming to World Dairy Expo,” I asked.

“12 years,” said Lexi.

Her entire life, she’s been traveling to World dairy Expo with her family to show cows. An annual trip that’s always packed with family fun. But Lexi’s life took a dramatic turn nearly 10 months ago, just two months after she showed during the 2023 World Dairy Expo.

“In December of 2023, she [Lexi] started feeling dizzy on the basketball court. And at first, we weren’t really sure what was going on, whether it was dehydration or what it was,” said Tamala Anderson, who is Lexi’s mom.

Unsure how serious it was, it wasn’t until Lexi blacked out on the court that they knew something wasn’t right.

“They decided to bring me in to the doctor. And then we figured out that I had this heart problem,” Lexi said.

The Diagnosis

It wasn’t just a minor problem. The diagnosis? Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM).

“It’s a hardening of the heart, the lining of the heart. So, the walls of the heart are eventually going to harden and stop pumping” Tamala explained.

“It’s really rare,” Lexi said. “Only like 2% of the world has it.”

Lexi Anderson

(Tamala Anderson)

Restrictive cardiomyopathy is a less common type of cardiomyopathy. According to the Pediatric Cardiomyopathy Registry, the average age of diagnosis is 5 to 6 years.

Lexi’s diagnosis meant her only cure would be a heart transplant

“When we first got the news, it was extremely hard to get that news,” said Tamala. “To hear that your daughter…. sometimes kids only have a year and a half after they’re diagnosed with this. It’s such a hard thing to hear that your daughter could die,” she said.

A heartbreaking diagnosis that shocked the family, but Tamala says they were sent to specialists at the children’s hospital in Milwaukee and got connected with an amazing team of doctors that immediately planted seeds of hope.

“We’ve got a great team. They don’t even let us look at the negative. They told us that we didn’t need to worry about it. They said they we’re going to find it [a heart] and fix it,” Tamala said.

Her New Normal

At 12 years old, Lexi’s life quickly turned to anything but normal. She has doctor visits at least every six weeks with strict orders to cut out physical activity that could stress her heart.

“I got banned from playing all sports, to stop it from growing,” Lexi said.

Lexi’s favorite sport is softball, a sport she can’t play until she receives her heart transplant.

(Tamala Anderson)

Lexi was extremely active before, playing basketball, riding horses and playing softball, which she says is her favorite sport.

“I really miss playing softball,” said Lexi.

“It’s hard,” said Tamala. “I kind of do have her wrapped up in a bubble as she has strict orders at school. All of her teachers know the strict orders. She’s not allowed to run, and she’s not allowed to do any of that stuff that might affect her. So she’s kind of limited in every aspect.”

Lexi loves all things outdoors, which includes riding horses and going fishing.

(Tamala Anderson)

Helpless in so many ways, Tamela did the only thing she could and that was to protect her little girl, all while waiting on the call that could save her life.

“Her timeline went from living 60 years, 80 years, down to we don’t know what,” said Tamala. “We could get a phone call at any time.”

Waiting on the Life-Saving Call

It’s that phone call that Tamala, Lexi and her entire family are anxiously awaiting.

“Honestly, my bags are packed in the car,” said Tamala. “I’ve got Lexi’s bags packed in the car. We’re waiting, and we’re ready.”

“Are you scared at all or are you nervous at all,” I asked Lexi.

“I’m a little nervous. I don’t know when I’m going to be able to get back home. And I don’t know if they’re going to hold me for the three months recovery, but hopefully they let me go home and just recover at my house.”

Love for Lexi

At 12 years old, Lexi’s courage is contagious and her support is inspiring. She has an army of family and friends who are rooting her on, with a group called “Love for Lexi.”

“A couple of her friends at home decided to do a website, it’s called Love for Lexi, where we have Caring Bridge connected,” said Tamala “Some of it’s to raise money. Some of it’s just to let people know how she’s doing.”

Whether it’s at the County Fair or World Dairy Expo, you’ll find Lexi shining in the show ring.

(Tamala Anderson)

That love was put on center stage this summer, when Lexi’s friends Hattie and Holly Hargrave gave the ultimate gift of generosity with a lamb for Lexi.

“We went to a county fair, and I was showing sheep, and I didn’t make the sale, and one of my friends did and that raised over $27,000 and she gave it to me for the benefit,” said Lexi.

“It was amazing,” Tama said. “It was absolutely amazing. Honestly, the first buyer, when the first buyer bought the lamb, I was in tears . Then, he’s like, ‘Nope, I want to sell it again.’ And he so he gave it back and they sold it again. And I mean, it sold four times.

That sale raised $27,000 from four business who all came together to show Lexi love and support.

“We live in a really, really great community,” Tamala said.

“I feel really, really loved,” said Lexi.

Lexi looks happy and normal, but as her heart works in overdrive, the reality is Lexi’s body is tired and worn down.

“Some days it takes her breath away just to walk across the parking lot. Some days she is jumping around saying, ‘I’m ready to go,’” Tamala said.

Success at World Dairy Expo

This week during the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisc, Lexi was determined to go in the ring, and she brought home hardware, as well as memories she won’t forget. One of the best memories was when her cousin won Junior Champion of the World Dairy Expo Junior Show.

“I was super happy, because it’s like a victory for the farm,” said Lexi. “We just cheered each other on and we started supporting each other and stuff.”

That’s who Lexi is; a spirited kid who’s always supporting those around her.

“She’s a great kid, honestly,” said Tamala. “She’s got such a big heart. If she sees someone down or if she sees someone even getting bullied, she’s more of a protector. So she’s just a great kid.”

Lexi’s big heart is now what’s needing saved, but it’s a constant showing of love and support that’s getting this family through.

How Feeding Calves Helped This 33 Year Old Farm Mom Recover From a Devastating Brain Tumor

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 16:53:47 GMT

If you’re trying to imagine a California dairy farm family, the Ron and Sherri Prins family could easily paint that picture for you. Holsteins and Jerseys, a handful of employees, four children, one spouse that grew up on the farm and one that married into it.

Fifteen years into growing a farm and a family together in the Central Valley of California, everything changed for Ron, Sherri and their family. Sherri was 33, and the kids were six, eight, 10 and 12. Sherri had been dealing with migraines, and she recalls the evening in May of 2000, when Ron took her to the emergency room.

“Soon after our emergency room visit, we had a diagnosis of a brain tumor,” she says. “Life changed for all of us. We knew God had a plan for our lives and would take care of us, but we still had so many things that lay ahead of us.”

Doctor visits, MRIs, phone calls and trips to a major city were only part of what was to come. The kids were all involved in school, church and sports activities, and there were 600 cows to be milked.

“We have an amazing family and church family that helped us with our children, meals and driving, and so many others that offered their help on the dairy farm,” Sherri says. “Ron’s dad took some of the workload, as well as other members of our work force.”

Sherri had brain surgery on her 34th birthday, October 3, 2000. The surgery was successful, and coming home after a week, Ron was juggling a lot. “I don’t know if I could have done it all on my own. We were so fortunate to have most of our family close by, and a lot of friends who helped out,” Ron says.

The surgery was just the beginning of a long road to recovery for Sherri and continued adjusting for the rest of the family. Sherri remembers how the kids each handled the whole thing in different ways, and was grateful that their pastor was there to help them process things.

“There was a lot of juggling schedules with everything the kids were involved in,” Ron says. “And their roles increased on the farm as they got older. There was always something for them to do after school and on weekends if they weren’t busy with something else.”

But it ended up being a specific role on the farm that made a world of difference in Sherri’s recovery. The tumor had been in the frontal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for short term memory. Ron pieced together the need for Sherri to exercise that part of her brain with an important, daily, repetitive task on the farm: feeding calves.

One year after her surgery, Sherri stepped into that role, with the kids helping after school and on the weekends. “It became a type of occupational therapy,” she says. “Working on remembering cow and calf numbers and working through calf issues translated into redeveloping the ability to manage a schedule for a family. Working back into being able to multitask was a long process, but I was pushed along by the calf feeding routine. Along the way, I learned how much I loved calf care and how important it was to helping me recover.”

Another 20 years later, Sherri is now retired from calf feeding and has redeveloped her short-term memory to the point that her farm job is to manage the bookwork. Throughout the whole process, Ron and Sherri made a point to put their trust in God’s guidance and will never take for granted the type of perspective their kids gained at such young ages.

“Life in general is full of things that are out of our control,” Sherri says. “We learned at another level that our lives as farmers, parents are all in the hands of God. We had to trust God for what was ahead, and that wasn’t always easy, but we felt his protection and direction all through the process. Our children also saw and experienced the hard things and gained a great life perspective of what is really important.”

While the hard times have the potential to cast a cloud on the family’s story, Ron and Sherri are quick to point out the good times and the blessings they’ve experienced since Sherri’s diagnosis.

“We have been able to grow our dairy (now 1,100 cows), and add acres to the farm. Which is great, but it’s also added more work for everyone. We doubled our employees, cows, bookwork and everything,” Sherri says.

Ron adds, “I think it taught us that when life throws tough times at you, you learn to push through and work it out, and in the end it always seems to work out. Like any business, it takes a team effort to be successful, and we had that.”

Sherri describes it as chaotic and wonderful at the same time. “When 20 years ago we didn’t know what the future held for us, we can look at where we are now and know that God allowed us to have so much more than we could have ever imagined.”

For more human interest stories, read:

Long Road: Kansas Family Rebuilds and Revives Dairy After 2019 Tornado Wiped Out Family Farm

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 21:37:02 GMT

It’s a day Rob and Lisa Leach will never forget.

“May 28th, 6:43pm,” says Rob, remembering the day their lives took a dramatic turn. “That’s when it hit us.”

May 28, 2019 is the day the Leach’s entire farm was wiped out by an EF4 tornado .

“It was noisy, but it was just like nonstop wind,” Rob told Farm Journal just days after the tornado hit in 2019. “It was just the most incredible wind you ever can imagine.”

The Aftermath

The twister that hit their Linwood, Kan. farm was a monster at a mile wide, carrying 170 mile per hour winds.

“We’ve got a lot outbuildings, we have our shop, freestall barn, calf barn holding pins, grain bins, garages, silos: it’s all gone,” Rob said in May 2019.

Two days after the tornado ripped through their farm, Farm Journal’s video crew was on the scene and captured the aftermath. Metal in trees, the milking parlor and barns flattened. The structures were gone, but what was even more painful was the fact the Leach family lost part of their herd.

“When we came up the hill, out of our basement, we expected the worst , and we immediately found what we had cattle meeting us, we had cattle in our yard, cattle walking all over the place and also dead cows,” said Rob.

The winds were so powerful, some cows were carried more than half a mile away.

“The one that was the farthest away, we didn’t find for 24 hours, and she was the most valuable cow on the farm,” said Rob. “She was down in a ditch and couldn’t get up.”

Will We Ever Dairy Again?

Taylor Leach, Rob and Lisa’s daughter who is also part of the Farm Journal family, reflected on the tornado recently. But when we talked to her just days after the tornado hit, she was still in disbelief.

“Trash everywhere, nails everywhere, wires everywhere,” she told us. “If we ever have cattle here again, I don’t even know how we’re going to be able to clean up all of the wire and nails out in the pasture,” said Taylor.

The raw reaction was fresh, as the Leach family had scrambled to immediately get the surviving cows to help.

“We could only get 20 out of here the first night,” says Rob, who says roads were blocked by down trees. “Those are the ones that were hurt the worst.”

The next morning, Rob says what was left of their 125 head herd, were also hauled out. Volunteers, some who had never touched a cow, helped lead the cows, halter free, to the road.

“We have so many friends,” says Lisa. “I mean, they’re very good friends, that took them to roughly 14,15 farms at one time.”

As ones with minor injuries went to farms, the animals were scattered throughout the area and sent to anyone who had space. The furthest location was a farm in Colorado. The cows wounded the most, were rescued and taken in by a local farm.

“Vets that worked all night long on cows that were cut up,” says Rob.

“And they never charged us,” remembers Lisa.

“No, we never got any bills for any medical work. And they said, ‘well, we’ll just have to charge you for drugs.’ And then some drug company donated drugs, so we didn’t have to pay for that. So, we were very fortunate,” adds Rob.

We Will Rebuild

From a tattered farm two years ago, with pieces scattered for miles, the scene looks much different today.

“We’ve brought home about 60 cows or so,” says Lisa.

“So, we’ve got at least that many still farmed out,” adds Rob.

As rebuilding is still taking place in Linwood, major headway has also happened thanks to countless volunteers.

“There were literally hundreds of people, volunteers, that came,” says Lisa. “I would say we averaged 100 people a day for over three weeks.”

An army of volunteers who came, many without even being asked, all who helped pick up the pieces left by the 2019 tornado.

“We had several massive cleanups that summer that we cleared as much debris out of the fields as we could,” says Lisa.

“I think we walked about 200 to 300 acres, just shoulder to shoulder, walking in the fields and picking up debris,” Rob says.

It’s those efforts that slowly cleaned up shredded structures and debris once scattered across their farm. But it wasn’t something that happened quickly. Every nail. Every piece of metal. All of it had to be picked up.

“We sold 350,000 pounds of scrap metal in this in the summer of 2020,” says Rob.

They say the effort to mend the damage and pick up all the pieces not lasted for more than a year.

“We drained seven ponds, because they were just completely filled with steel, barn, tin, lumber,” says Rob.

But from the rubble, rose new life and a new look for the Leach family.

“We started with a commodity barn. It was kind of the catch all,” says Rob.

One structure replaced at a time, with foundation poured for the next, in an effort to replace 11 barns battered by the storm.

“COVID-19 didn’t help our cause at all,” explains Rob. “After COVID-19, it was kind of a strange phenomenon. People were building stuff all over the place, the price of materials went through the roof and you couldn’t get a crew to do anything.”

Much of this work was done with their own hands, with three new blue barns planted on the same dirt their old barns were on.

The Effort to Milk Again

The final barn was built on December 21, 2020, and one that Rob, along with 17 friends and family, constructed themselves. It marked the final piece in a two-year orchestrated effort to finally start milking again.

“We’ve been approved by the co-op to start milking again,” says Lisa. “We’ve got a trucker lined up that’s going to haul the milk for us. And we we’ve got six cows that we’re milking right now.”

All the work, the hours, the constant efforts to rebuild; it was all to accomplish one thing: be able to milk again. And that day finally came for Lisa in June, a moment she captured on camera as the first milk truck drove away.

A New Era

As the milk truck left, it signaled a new era for the Leach family. Rob and Lisa now travel the same path from the house to the barn they took before the tornado hit, to milk the cows today.

“This is our passion,” says Rob. “This is what we do for fun. This is all we’ve ever done for fun. We like to show cows, that’s kind of our thing.”

“I wasn’t ready to quit,” says Lisa.

As Lisa says calling it quits never crossed their minds, she also didn’t want to give up on our cows.

“Honestly, we had some of the best cows we had ever had,” says Rob.

“We had some really good cows, and that’s probably the only reason we came back,” adds Lisa.

And a comeback it was. The same year the tornado hit, the Leach’s youngest daughter, Sophie, took home Grand Champion at the Kansas State Fair with their Holstein named Lin-Crest Bradnick Tess, a cow that still bared the scar after surviving the tornado that left a gash in her neck just months before.

The family also won the “Jersey Jug” at Louisville with their Jersey Juju, another survivor, and one shown by the woman who rescued Juju and 20 other cows the night the tornado hit.

“We’ve had some good days in the show ring since the tornado,” says Rob.

“Some phenomenal days,” says Lisa.

“So, we were very lucky,” adds Rob.

Stronger than the Storm

As the Leach family cherishes what they’ve accomplished in two short years, they say their family farm was restored for their three girls.

“I mean, they love it, too,” says Rob. “We’re doing it for them. This is their passion.”

And as a family, they continue to defeat any doubts, while beating the odds.

“I think the only doubt was, whether or not we could milk again,” says Lisa.

“We just weren’t sure, you know, if we were going to be able to rebuild,” says Rob.

“Every now and then, you really need to go back and look at the pictures just to remind yourself how far you’ve come,” adds Lisa. “And how many people have helped you get there.”

A lifetime of passion, with the people who knew it wasn’t Rob and Lisa’s time to call it quits.

“Getting all these buildings built back, when it took us a lifetime to build what we had,” says Rob. “So to get back here within two years, is amazing.”

As even two years later, the leaches continue to prove they’re truly stronger than the storm.

Farmers and ranchers continue to show grit with grace while battling various challenges farm and ranch families face. Read more “Grit with Grace” stories here .

24/7 Herd Management Through Automation

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 21:26:29 GMT

Do you ever wish you had a 24-hour herds person who never showed up late, never complained, and picked up on a problem with a cow better than you could?

Well, that’s what automation has done for Jessica Pralle Trimner.

At Miltrim Farms, home to 3,400 cows, technology is the backbone of their operations, featuring 30 milking robots under one roof, along side a 1,400-cow conventional herringbone parlor.

Jessica Pralle Trimner, the dairy manager at Miltrim Farms in Athens, Wisconsin, shares how integrating advanced tech and data-driven practices has revolutionize their dairy operations in Episode 118 on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast.

“I’m here working with cows and people every day, and I’m grateful for the facilities and the team. We’ve come a long way from the days when teammates didn’t even know how to use Microsoft Word, let alone Dairy Comp software,” Trimner says. “Today, we’re leveraging real-time data to transform transition cow management and empowering employees with data-driven insights.”

Data-Driven Decisions and Technology Integration

Jessica shares how the unique setup at Miltrim Farms, with both a conventional parlor and a robot barn, allows her to gather and utilize a wide range of data. This dual system helps in making accurate decisions, from managing vaccine protocols to optimizing repro programs.

“Technology for us skyrocketed when we built the robot facility in 2019. The collars and sorting gates essentially act as a 24-hour herdsman, alerting us to cows that need attention. We’ve seen benefits in days open reduction and improved cow health, thanks to activity and rumination data,” she adds.

Enhancing Employee Training through Data

Training employees to use tech tools effectively has been a focus at Miltrim Farms. Jessica explains how they’ve managed to get employees up to speed with the available tools, turning data into actionable insights.

She explains, “We all come from different walks of life. And I am forever grateful for my herdsman, Mary. She comes from a 40 cow dairy, you don’t find people who see cows like my parents see cows or my grandpa saw cows, and that’s not something you can train. And so she’s been able to take that and empower her employees down in the robot barn. I throw a lot of my interns with her and right now, it’s very easy for us to get that generation to understand the data before they understand the cow themselves.”

“And that data provides that support back to us, so then they can have that ‘a-ha’ moment when they’re like, I see it, I see this cow, and I understand why you keep talking about what she looks like and not what the report says. To me, that’s one of the biggest things,” Trimner says.

Listen to the entire Uplevel Dairy Podcast, here:

This Vermont Dairy Farmer Turned into an Epic Track Star - Now She's Heading to the Olympics Again!

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 16:34:13 GMT

Elle Purrier St. Pierre, a Vermont dairy farmer turned track star, has booked her ticket to the summer Olympics once again.

Setting a meet-record performance, the Montgomery, Ver., native won the 5,000-meter race at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Ore., with a time of 14:40.34, a new Trials record. This seals Purrier St. Pierre’s spot on Team U.S.A., allowing her to compete at 2024 Olympic Games in Paris later this summer.

A former Olympian, Purrier St. Pierre finished 10th in the women’s 1,500-meter race at the Olympics in Tokyo in 2021. The Olympian has been training to compete in the 2024 season ever since she gave birth to her son, Ivan, just one year ago.

“I’ve been waiting for this for a bit. The 5k always hurts and I just dug a little deeper at the end there,” St. Pierre said on the NBC telecast after being asked about having her 1-year-old son, Ivan, in the stands. “It’s just so emotional to have Ivan here and I’m really proud to be his mom.”

View this post on Instagram A post shared by AW (@athletics.weekly)

Purrier St. Pierre grew up on a 40-cow operation in Vermont, but never left the farm, as she and her husband still live on a dairy farm today. The runner married her high-school sweetheart, Jamie St. Pierre, and would compete against him at 4-H events growing up. Jamie studied dairy management at Cornell, is a dairy farmer, and works on his family’s dairy farm also located in Vermont.

In 2021, St. Pierre’s family made the tough decision to exit the dairy industry, selling the cows on her home farm. Though St. Pierre is still able to get some cow time in on the farm her husband manages, she reflects on how she still misses not seeing dairy cows on the farm she grew up on.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Elle Purrier St. Pierre (@elleruns_4_her_life)

Purrier’s competition at this year’s Trials is far from over. She’ll begin her bid in the 1,500-meters with a first-round heat on Thursday night in Eugene.

Watch the entire 5,000-meter race below:

We can’t stop thinking about that EPIC FINISH to the women’s 5000m final at #TrackFieldTrials24. pic.twitter.com/yv2PqedFQa
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) June 25, 2024

How One Next-Gen Tennessee Farmer is Using Her Strong Voice to Advocate for the Ag

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 15:00:00 GMT

Stephanie Nash is loud, boisterous, excited…or as she likes to call it, extremely passionate about the dairy industry, as she enjoys servings as a front-line advocator to connect with consumers about where their food comes from.

A natural-born leader, Nash’s journey began out west, as her passion for dairy farming was instilled in her from a young age growing up on her family’s 1,000-cow dairy in central California. Immersed in the world of agriculture, she witnessed firsthand the hard work, determination and love that goes into running a successful dairy farm.

The Journey to Tennessee

The fourth-generation dairy farmer also grew up with a deep love for country music. Whether it was at music recitals, school choir or leading worship in church, Nash always loved to sing.

Although, Nash shares that she has taken a step back in music, as she feels the good Lord has pushed her towards advocacy work.

“I really think God is leading me to be a voice for agriculture,” she says.

In 2014, the family moved east to escape the challenges of ongoing regulations they faced milking cows in California.

Nash says while she appreciates growing up in California’s Central Valley and despite the differences in Tennessee’s terrain and climate, she and her family have embraced the opportunities Tennessee offers from a strong economy to ample water supply. However, she notes land availability has drastically changed since they moved.

“Land availability has become very sparse. And so that’s been challenging the last couple of years to make sure that we’re still in lease agreements with land that we need to feed our cows and grow crops,” she says. “Although, we don’t have to worry about water, like we did in California.”

Advocacy and Education

With a deep love of education, Nash found that her heartbeat includes advocating for an industry she grew up loving. Recognizing the importance of bridging the gap between farmers and consumers, Nash has taken on the role of being a vocal ambassador, using social media and her own experiences to shed light on the realities of dairy farming.

“I grew up in the Central Valley where everybody was involved in agriculture, and I really value that life. And I moved on to Tennessee and I saw that people don’t value it as much as I did. They just don’t know where their food is coming from. So, I saw an opportunity for transparent education of what is happening on the farm,” she says.

Looking Towards the Future

The role Nash plays in her family’s 1,000-cow dairy is different than what she envisioned when she was young.

“I always felt like I would feed calves once I came back to the farm,” she says, sharing that now she helps with the farm’s agritourism and creamery. “I’m still very much involved in the dairy industry and our family farm every day. It just looks more of a little bit different than what I thought as a little girl, but I’m still very involved with the calf and heifer programs.”

As a next-generation dairy farmer, Nash’s enduring spirit shines brightly as she has paved the way for making a profound impact on the industry by opening her farm’s barn doors and sharing the wholesome message of dairy farming.

“I think consumers really value truthful information. I advocate differently…I’m pretty out there,” she says.

The Next Gen farmer is completely okay with being called loud, as deep down she knows she is making a difference.

“I’ve grown such a great community here in Tennessee and across the world and people are like, ‘thank you for being truthful,’” Nash says.

Check Out These Next Gen Stories:

Next Gen California Dairy Farmer Talks with Chip Flory

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 14:45:00 GMT

As we all start on our life journey, many of us are unsure of what the first step should be and somewhat fearful of the road ahead. However, fourth-generation dairy farmer Becky Nyman of Hilmar, Calif., was open to where her life chapter would go.

Nyman recently visited with AgriTalk host, Chip Flory, about being the next generation and her life path to the farm. Nyman works alongside her brother on the home farm where they milk 1,200 Jerseys. The family also has several other dairies.

Becky works alongside her brother, Brad, where she oversees the business side, including following the ongoing rules and regulations in California. Her brother focuses on the production management side of the dairy business. Becky notes that regarding the regulations of the Golden State, there is always something to keep a close eye on.

One area that the Nyman family has dived into the last couple of years is beef-on-dairy which has generated some extra revenue for the dairy.

“We actually are doing Angus embryos,” Nyman shared with Flory, noting it is a great alternative revenue stream. “It has been working out great for us so far.”

Becky’s path back to the family dairy she grew up on was not a family expectation or even a plan of hers from early on. After college, she worked for a consumer data company in Dallas and San Francisco, and after nine years and a lot of conversations with her family, she came back home to work on the home dairy.

“It has been really rewarding to come back, especially after having outside experience and bringing those skills back to the farm,” she says.

Becky recently completed her first year of serving on the National Dairy Board and now serves as Vice Chair of the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and is also the treasurer for the national dairy check-off, Dairy Management Inc.

“Dairy has sustained our family for four generations in the U.S. and so to be able to give back to the greater good of the industry is really rewarding to me,” she says.

To listen to the entire conversation between Flory and Nyman talk about her Next Generation role, go to AgriTalk | AgWeb

Check These Next Gen Stories Out:

Celebrating Dairy Farm Moms: Strength, Sacrifice, and Sweetness

Fri, 10 May 2024 21:30:20 GMT

In the spirit of Mother’s Day, I joined Peggy Coffeen, the host of the UpLevel Dairy Podcast for a conversation that serves as a heartfelt tribute to the unsung heroes of the agriculture world—dairy farm moms.

Peggy and I, both who are deeply rooted in the dairy farming lifestyle, share our personal stories, experiences, and lessons learned from our own dairy moms, as well as other influential dairy moms.

The Backbone of Dairy Farms

From the tale of Peggy’s mother, Alice, who at 7 years old faced the hardship of losing her father but held onto her dream of running the family farm, to my late mother, Michelle, who traded Italian gloves and fur coats for chore clothes to embrace farm life—both illustrate the universal truth that dairy farms are made of resilience and determination. Their ability to maintain tradition, manage challenges, and push forward through adversities is nothing short of inspiring.

The Recipe for Resilience

Beyond the fields and the barns, we share our dairy farm moms’ stories of tenacity, and we reminisce about the culinary traditions that brought us comfort and joy. From homemade strawberry jam and the dairyman’s chocolate cake to the detailed Barbie birthday cakes, these recipes served as cherished memories.

A Legacy of Love and Learning

One of the most touching aspects of our discussion revolves around the pivotal role dairy moms play in shaping the next generation. Peggy and I both attest to how our mothers instilled values of hard work, perseverance and compassion in us. These lessons have been crucial in raising children with a strong moral compass and an appreciation for the value of labor and community.

This UpLevel Dairy Podcast episode is a dedication to dairy farm moms and serves as a reminder of the strength, sacrifice, and sweetness that define not just dairy farm moms, but all mothers who devote themselves to nurturing future generations.

This Mother’s Day let’s honor all the incredible farm moms who have worked hard and taught us life lessons that we still carry with us today.

Listen to the full conversation between Peggy and I as we talk about the farm moms who raised us, as well as other farm moms that inspire us.

Pennsylvania's Painterland Sisters See Spectacular Success With “Side” Yogurt Business

Wed, 08 May 2024 19:54:38 GMT

When Stephanie and Hayley Painter started a yogurt business a couple of years ago to help support their family’s Pennsylvania dairy farm, they didn’t envision it quickly becoming the country’s fastest growing yogurt brand in the natural foods space. But that’s exactly what happened. Painterland Sisters Icelandic Yogurt is now sold in 2,200 stores coast to coast.

Stephanie explains how and why she and her sister achieved such success in a brand new podcast called Grow Getters , which explores “Agriculture’s most inventive side hustles.” Hosted by Davis Michaelsen and produced by Farm Journal Studios, Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions and sometimes exploring new technologies to add revenue to their operations. In agriculture’s challenging economic climate, these resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer.

Watch episode one of Grow Getters here.

Forbes Magazine’s “30 Under 30" List

With their organic, nutrient-dense yogurt, made using milk from their farm and from nearby farms, the Painter sisters have taken moonlighting to a whole new level, even landing a spot on Forbes magazine’s most recent “30 Under 30” list .

“We saw cool, powerful women helping their family’s business on the Forbes 30 Under 30, so my sister and I looked at each other and said, ‘We want to do that,’” Stephanie explains on the first Grow Getters podcast. “We want to represent dairy. Farming, right? Agriculture. Wouldn’t that be amazing to make it relatable, to make dairy cool and fun to the general consumer?”

More than achieving accolades, however, the sisters’ mission is to connect consumers with the farmers who are producing their food every day. They’re also committed to continuing the succession process on the family’s fourth-generation farm, preserving and even increasing its value for the next generation coming up quickly behind them.

Read more about the Painter sisters and their exploding business.

Following its debut on May 7 with the Painter sisters, Grow Getters will release a new episode every other Tuesday. Blending stories of side-hustle highs and lows with plenty of humor and even some flashy singing and piano-playing by Davis, Grow Getters is like no other show in today’s ag media world. The goal of the podcast is to celebrate and match the unbridled moxie, energy and creativity of its guests. Subscribe to the Farm Journal YouTube page for the latest episodes.