Growing up, my dad would bring me along on his milk hauling routes across south-central Wisconsin. While he pumped milk, I would find the barn cats, name the calves, and become fascinated by the occasional robot milker in the free stall barn. What felt like simple curiosity at the time was actually the beginning of something bigger. I began to ask the farmers and my dad questions, most of which starting with “why.” Why are these cows eating something different from th

You may see a little girl digging a hole, but in less than a year, this will turn into the house and hobby farm of her family's dreams. I’m happy to report that little girl is me, and I dug the first hole to start our more than 40-acre hobby farm from the 13.8 million acres of agricultural land in Wisconsin. This is where each of my agricultural passions started. This is not a multi-generational family farm, but through the hard work of my family, we were able to start our o

Agriculture may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Ozaukee County—but for me, it’s where everything began. I grew up spending many days at my grandparents’ dairy farm, helping feed calves, milk, and other small tasks. Through 4-H, my curiosity grew through projects such as horse and pony, beef, and beekeeping. I was an active member of the horse education program, competing at state and national events while strengthening my public speaking. This mark

College, internships and international travel showed me the agriculture industry in different places, yet each opportunity strengthened my connection to Wisconsin’s diverse agricultural communities. From reporting on student stories at multiple National FFA Convention and Expos in Indiana to writing and broadcasting farmers’ stories in Idaho and Missouri, and studying abroad while traveling independently to more than 10 countries across Europe, I grew my communications skills

Dairy farmers have long been focused on sustainability as it is a core part of their farms. Depending on the specific plans set in place by each farm, sustainable practices can look different across Wisconsin for the 99% of dairy farms that are family owned. However, underlying sustainability principles for these farming families include caring for the land, water, and local communities, safeguarding their health for future generations. Photo courtesy of Dairy Farmers of Wisc