Farming Conversations

We asked a group of local farmers and advocates, “What do you wish people knew about farming today?"

"Farmland values have increased approximately 30% over the past year. Rising land prices have made it more difficult for beginning farmers to purchase land. While there are programs through the USDA Farm Service Agency that offer low-interest loans to beginning farmers for land purchase, the programs typically limit the size of the loan and the acreage that can be purchased. There are not really any grants available to help beginning farmers purchase land."

—Paul Dietmann, Compeer Financial and former Sauk Co. Agricultural Agent

"It turns out the reality of dairy is a lot more challenging than the cute little cheese factory we had dreamed of owning. But we’re finding ways for our farmers to get a premium on their milk checks and building trust. Over the years, there have been funerals and arguments, weddings and children. We’ve found that we’ve bought into a community that’s bigger and more important than just our business."

—Bob Wills, Cedar Grove Cheese

"The majority of agriculture in America is extremely mechanized and not at human scale. To actually know a farmer whose hands grow your food is special." "I once read that farming is a life of hope. Boy is that true! You hope for good weather to get in the fields & rain to make crops grow. You hope the costs are less than the income coming in and for fewer breakdowns. Farming comes with great responsibilities, not just to the community but to the animals, crops, and laborers."

—Karl Hausner Farm

"I like to get done."

"Dairy farming is full of an overwhelming number of everyday tasks; cows need to be milked, fed, new calves need careful attention and new moms often need some extra care. Despite the work that seems endless, I always feel good when I have finished these tasks each day, when all the new calves have fresh bedding, a boost from the first milk colostrum and I've given them their vaccinations. They are ready to do their job, growing up to be healthy milk cows. Each day has these completed tasks. All to start again the next day!"

—Nels Nelson & Sarah Lloyd

"I want people to know that farmers care DEEPLY about the land and their animals. Farmers make sure all their animals are fed first before they take time to eat. Farmers will not count the long hours but work until the job is done (or done enough for the next day). A farmer's joy is found in fresh cut hay, newborn calves, and daily working with family. Although the work is hard, rewards are not only measured in dollars but in the peace of mind one finds connected to the earth."

—Dorothy Harms, Valley Springs Farm

"So much thought and decision making and puzzle piecing and pivoting are involved in farming. Although the physical labor of organic vegetable farming might seem like it takes the most work and energy, the mental and emotional energy spent running a vegetable farm is just as important. It is a rare day that I know exactly what will happen when I wake up. Gotta be on and aware and analyzing situations at all times."

—Laura Mortimore, Orange Cat Community Farm

"Farming has the capacity to turn forests into deserts or deserts into forests depending on how it's done."

—Dan Enge, Veggie Emporium