f e b r u a r y 2 0 0 8 - swiss valley farms · 2018-07-12 · video of 50 years of swiss valley...
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f e b r u a r y 2 0 0 8
It’s Been a Long Winter!Winter in the Country on the Farm
page � SWISS VaLLey farMS DAIRYMAN
Published Monthly by:
Swiss Valley Farms Cooperative
P.O. Box 4493 Davenport IA 52808
563.468.6600 FAX 563.468.6613
www.swissvalley.com
Nancy Feeneyeditor/ Member relations Mgr.
Karen BohnertMember relations assistant
Swiss Valley Farms, Co. will produce, distribute and sell value-added, quality products for our:
Customers & ConsumersOwner/MembersWorkforce
Swiss Valley Board OfficersPresidentPam bolin................................................Clarksville, IaVice Presidentrandy Schaefer....................................blue Grass, IaSecretaryJeff Nimtz............................................Monticello, WITreasurerJames Schmitt.............................................Sherrill, Ia
Swiss Valley DirectorsLoyde M. beers.......................................eastman, WIDonald berlage......................................elizabeth, ILSteve Klug.....................................Spring Grove, MNDale Humpal.........................................ridgeway, Iafrancis Leibfried..................................Cuba City, WIG. Joe Lyon....................................................Toledo, IaJim Oelfke............................................Hamburg, MNDonald Peterson....................................Cashton, WIPatrick Schroeder..............................Lancaster, WIeugene Smith........................................Clinton, WIWilliam Strief..................................................farley, Ia
A DAY TO REMEMBER50th anniversary celebration
Swiss Valley Farms’ 50th year of operation will be launched in style on Tuesday, March 4 at the
Grand River Center on the Dubuque riverfront. This is when the co-op will present a day-long gala celebration and every Swiss Valley Farms member is invited!
Keynote speaker for the day is Rulon Gardner, who won an Olympic Gold medal in Greco-Roman Wrestling.Rulon was raised on a dairy farm in the mountains of Wyoming. He has an inspirational message for dairy farmers and ag enthusiasts everywhere and has entertained audiences across America and around the world. Swiss Valley Farms is pleased to present him to you during this 50th celebration.
Master of Ceremonies for the day is the “Voice of the Hawkeyes” Gary Dolphin, who will entertain you with his comments and introduce the speakers throughout the afternoon. That afternoon, you will hear comments from the Swiss Valley Farms CEO and Board President, as well as a few historical comments from some past presidents. Retired longtime CEO Carl Zurborg will also be on hand. Iowa Secretary of Agricuture Bill Northey will share some comments with you as well.
The day is totally full of exciting, entertaining and interesting things to do.
Here is how the day will proceed.The first thing you will want
to do upon arriving at the beautiful Grand River Center is to sign up for a bus that will drive you to the co-op’s bottling plant where you will be lead through a tour of the facility.
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While you are waiting on your bus to leave the River Center, you will definitely want to visit the Exhibit Hall, where you may:
Nibble numerous dairy goodies on the huge Swiss Valley product sampling table.
Watch famed cheese sculptor Sarah Kaufmann, who will be carving on the spot as well as have several cheese carvings on display.
Check out a cheese carving by “Butter Cow Lady” and co-op member Duffy Lyon.
Visit the Swiss Valley Country Store, where you can purchase numerous co-op branded items.
Participate in “JeoparDairy” from the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board.
Chill out while you listen to a live, cool jazz band from Western Dubuque High School.
Visit numerous ag-related organizational exhibits.
You definitely want to get the River Center before 10 a.m., since the last bus will leave for the Dubuque bottling plant at 10:30 a.m. and you don’t want to miss your bus!
A lunch buffet will be served
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FEBRUARY 2008 page �
beginning at 11 a.m. Dessert will be a “Make-Your-Own-Sundae Bar”, which some of you will recall was so extremely popular at our 40th anniversary celebration. During the hour and a half lunch time, you will be entertained by “The CornFed Girls” from Bellevue, IA, an extremely popular local group of women musicians who perform Bluegrass tunes that are sure to delight you.
The Exhibit Hall will continue to be open throughout lunch, but will close at 12:30 p.m., when the 50th Celebration Meeting will begin.
Your first step toward participating in this celebration, which will be long remembered, is to fill out the return-reservation card that was attached to your personal invitation that you recently received in the mail.
Then, get to the River Center on the Dubuque waterfront in plenty of time that morning to allow yourself lots of time to enjoy the tour and exhibits before lunch.
50th Anniversary AgendaMarch 4, 2008
8:00 a.m. Dubuque Bottling Plant tour begins Begin Tours of Dubuque Bottling Plant from the Grand Harbor
8:00 a.m. Exhibit Hall opens
10:30 a.m. Last bus leaves Grand Harbor for Plant Tour
11:00 a.m. Lunch begins
11:30 p.m. Ice cream sundae bar opens
12:30 p.m. Lunch ends and Exhibit Hall closes
12:30 p.m. Meeting begins Introduction, Mc Gary Dolphin Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Recognition of Past Board and Management Team Members Video of 50 years of Swiss Valley Farms
1:45 p.m. Keynote Speaker Rulon Gardner, Olympic Gold Medal Winner in Greco-Roman Wrestling
3:00 p.m. Adjourn
Olympic Gold Medal Wrestler rulon Gardner will be thekeynote speaker at the 50th anniversary Celebration Party.
page � SWISS VaLLey farMS DAIRYMAN
celebrating 34 years of quality milk awardsDisTRicT MEETing cOvERAgE
The 2007 Swiss Valley Farms district meetings are finished and mark 34 years of Blue Ribbon Quality Milk Awards. Co-op members work hard year around to meet Swiss Valley Farms quality milk standards. The end result of all of this effort is millions of pounds of high quality milk that Swiss Valley Farms turns into delicious
dairy products.
The names of Quality Award winners begin below. Swiss Valley Farms applauds everyone who received awards this year. Good luck in the coming year with your quality milk production.
District 6: 29 Year Award:Bob McNultyWatkins, Ia
District 6: 7 Year Award:Aaron, Sharon & LyleNunnikoven, Oskaloosa, Ia
District 6: 13 Year Award:Holly & Kevin BloodState Center, Ia
District 6: 19 Year Award:ISU Dairy FarmDr. Kenealy, ames, Ia
District 6: 5 Year Award:Joan & Ron FranckNewhall, Ia
District 61 Year Award
Crowley Farms IncCoggon, Ia
Harvey, Hugh LPromise City, IaRosdail & Son
Marion, IaSchulte, John
Norway, IaSmith FarmsKnoxville, Ia
5 Year AwardFranck, Ronald
Newhall, IaHaines, Mike
North english, Ia
7 Year AwardNunnikhoven, Lyle
Oskaloosa, Ia
8 Year AwardTakes, Daniel & Debbie
ely, Ia
10 Year AwardVan Vark, Bryce & Verla
Pella, Ia
11 Year AwardWormley, Joel & Jan
Newton, Ia
1� Year AwardDeklotz Dairy Inc
Newhall, Ia
1� Year AwardBlood, Kevin & Holly
State Center, IaFischels, Jeff
Independence, Ia
17 Year AwardCadden, George & Judy
brooklyn, Ia
18 Year AwardHenderson, Merle
Coggon, Ia
19 Year AwardBierschenk, Dennis
Van Horne, IaIowa State University
ames, Ia
�� Year AwardLyon Jerseys
Toledo, Ia
�9 Year AwardMc Nulty Farms
Watkins, Ia
District 1�1 Year Award
Beachy, NormanKalona, Ia
Helmuth, MoseDerby, Ia
Larson, JackOakville, Ia
Larson, Nathan & HeidiSperry, Ia
Mangels, Markblue Grass, Ia
Miracles Can HappenBoys Ranch
Wilton, IaNagel, Andy & Erin
allerton, IaRathjen, Gene & Judy
Wilton, Ia
� Year AwardGingerich, Steve
Parnell, IaHelmuth, Steven
Kalona, IaSlabaugh, Daryl
Iowa City, Ia
� Year AwardDodds, HerbertNew London, IaYoder, Leighton
Kalona, Ia
5 Year AwardGahring, JohnHomestead, Ia
6 Year AwardMiller, Merlyn
riverside, Ia
8 Year AwardRhodes Agricultural
Corpriverside, Ia
8 Year AwardVander Wal, Bruce
New Sharon, Ia
16 Year AwardMiller, Dean
Kalona, Ia
18 Year AwardLucas, Laverne
burlington, IaNewell, EugeneLong Grove, Ia
�� Year AwardSywassink, Donald
Letts, Ia
District 151 Year Award
Beers, Loydeeastman, WI
FEBRUARY 2008 page 5
District 13: 5 Year Award:Lynn & John GahringHomestead, Ia
District 13: 18 Year Award:Laverne & Paula Lucasburlington, Ia
District 6: 22 Year Award:Lyon Jerseys: Stuart Lyon, Rod Bolt, Eric & Terry Lyon,Duffy & Joe Lyon, Toledo, Ia District 13: 34 Year Award:
Don & Dorothy SywassinkLetts, Ia
District 13: 8 Year Award:Dale Rhodesriverside, Ia
District 15: 11 Year Award:Keith & Charlie Wright, eastman, WI
District 13: 18 Year Award:Eugene & Shirley NewellLong Grove, Ia
District 13: 16 Year Award:Dean MillerKalona, Ia
District 15: 21 Year Award:Gerald & Diane Oppriecht, eastman, WI
Beers, Loyde Jreastman, WI
Hill N Vale Acres IncPrairie Du Chien, WI
Puhl, Michaelelroy, WI
Swiggum, Dennis & KathySoldiers Grove, WI
� Year AwardSteger, Tim & TerryPrairie Du Chien, WI
� Year AwardSchmitz, Stephen & Cindy
richland Center, WI
� Year AwardEderer, Tom & Son
Plain, WIWestphal, Robert Jr & Pat
Soldiers Grove, WI
5 Year AwardPrew, Ronald & Joanne
eastman, WI
6 Year AwardEderer, David Limited
PartnshipSpring Green, WI
Heatherstone Enterprisesbaraboo, WI
Kepridge Farms IncViola, WI
Oppriecht, Dianaeastman, WI
7 Year AwardCopus, ClarenceSoldiers Grove, WI
Iverson, DavidSoldiers Grove, WI
Kinney, Joannblue river, WI
8 Year AwardArmbruster Bros Inc
Muscoda, WIGratz, David
readstown, WI
10 Year AwardBaldwin, BillHillsboro, WI
11 Year AwardWright, Charles
ferryville, WIWright, Keithferryville, WI
15 Year AwardOstrem, Duwayne
Viroqua, WI
16 Year AwardGilbertson, Larry
Chaseburg, WI
17 Year AwardDieter, Karenblue river, WI
18 Year AwardAmundson,
Dennis & MaureenWestby, WI
Stoehr, Donaldeastman, WI
Stoehr, Frankeastman, WI
�0 Year AwardValley View Dairy Inc
richland Center, WI
�1 Year AwardOppriecht, Gerald
eastman, WI
District 161 Year Award
Baumgarten, DeniseTomah, WI
Baumgarten, GeneTomah, WI
Brueggeman, Richard
Sparta, WIClark, Carolyn
Wilton, WIFreit, Jamesbangor, WI
Freit, Robertrockland, WI
Krueger, DouglasMindoro, WI
Miller, DanielOntario, WI
Peterson, Donnarockland, WI
Schultz, DanielTaylor, WI
� Year AwardKroener, Betty
bangor, WILeatherberry, Lester
elroy, WIMikshowsky, Randy
bangor, WIRuff, Brian
alma, WI
� Year AwardHall, Larry & Roxanne
Tomah, WIOldenburg, Donald
Norwalk, WI
page 6 SWISS VaLLey farMS DAIRYMAN
District 16: 9 Year Award:Sun Ray Dairy, Julie Larson Mindoro, WI
District 16: 16 Year Award:Ron and Linda Hurtzrockland WI District 16: 6 Year Award:
Robert & Rita DreierTomah, WI
District 16: 15 Year Award:Ken, Marlus & Matthew SchmitzNorwalk, WI
District 16: 6 Year Award:James Reed with grandson Alex Hillsboro,WI
District 17: 19 Year Award:Leo & Brenda SchroederCastalia, Ia
District 17: 15 Year Award:Jerry Gibson & Brent GarbesWaukon, Ia
District 17: 32 Year Award:Don & Joyce BrinksOssian, Ia District 16: 5 Year Award:
Allen WittOntario, WI
District 16: 5 Year Award:Douglas L. Wolf with Rosanna, Hillsboro, WI
5 Year AwardDeetz Bros
eleva, WIFeldhacker, Scott
Hillsdale, WIFriske, Brian
Kendall, WIFriske, Richard & Janice
Kendall, WIWitt, AllenOntario, WIWitt, LyleOntario, WI
Wolf, L Douglas & AnnaHillsboro, WI
6 Year AwardBailey, Michael & Jean
Tomah, WIDreier, Robert & Rita
Tomah, WIEvergreen Ridge
Dairy LLCHillsboro, WI
Gorham, FloriedaTomah, WI
Schroeder, CraigWonewoc, WI
Vlasak, Steven & Sherryelroy, WI
7 Year AwardMarx, AllanCashton, WI
Ruf, Alan S & ColetteMauston, WI
8 Year AwardWild Rose Dairy LLC
La farge, WI
9 Year AwardSun ray Dairy LLP
Mindoro, WI
11 Year AwardBerg, Jeff & Johanna
La Crosse, WI
1� Year AwardRego, David & Linda
elroy , WI
15 Year AwardSchmitz, Kenneth & Marlus
Norwalk, WI
16 Year AwardHurtz, Ronald & Lynda
rockland, WI
District 171 Year Award
Crossroads Dairy LLCPostville, Ia
Linderbaum,
Dennis & EileenOssian, Ia
Meyer, Larry & NadyneGarnavillo, Ia
Moon, Dan & NancyMonona, Ia
Pattison, Lee & SaraGarnavillo, IaPreuss, LeeCastalia, Ia
District 17� Year Award
Lamborn Farms LLCLuana, Ia
Oyloe, RonaldDecorah , Ia
Tieskoetter, LeonPostville, Ia
� Year AwardSvendsen, Larry & Mary
Ossian, Ia
� Year AwardKurth, David
St Olaf, IaKurth, Gary &r Anne
Luana, IaSmith, Joel
fort atkinson, IaSmith, Wayne
fort atkinson, Ia
5 Year AwardHenkes, Daryl
Monona, IaHenkes, Dustin
Monona, IaHenkes, L’dean
Monona, IaKriener, Daleridgeway, Ia
Kriener, Donaldridgeway, Ia
Kriener, Larryridgeway, IaLenth, Terry
Luana, IaRapson, David
Hawkeye, Ia
6 Year AwardHumpal, Darryl
Ridgeway, IASchmitt, Steven
Hawkeye, Ia
10 Year AwardLantzky, Brian & Heidi
Hawkeye, Ia
1� Year AwardKoehn, David
elkader, Ia
FEBRUARY 2008 page 7 page 7
District 17: 18 Year Award:Schmitt Dairy, Mark, Glen, Melissa, Abby & Dianne Schmittft. atkinson, Ia
District 17: 19 Year Award:Rich KlostermanWest union, Ia District 17: 5 Year Award:
L’Dean HenkesMonona, Ia
District 19: 7 Year Award:Second Look Holsteins,Linda Holdorff, eden, WI
District 19: 9 Year Award:Tom & Joan OberhausWaukesha, WI
District 19: 7 Year Award:Hofa Park DairyDave & Zeke WagnerSeymour, WI
District 19: 8 Year Award:Norbert, Alice & Arnold GudexCampbellsport, WI
District 20: 20 Year Award:Duron Bratland (mother Judy accepting award)Spring Grove, MN
District 20: 22 Year Award:Gordon & Lee MeyerCaledonia, MN
Mc Nally DairyMonona, Ia
Stence, Lillianelkader, Ia
1� Year AwardSmith, Jene
fort atkinson, IaThompson, Larry & Liane
Monona, Ia
1� Year AwardFranks, Kent
St Olaf, IaRuff, JohnMonona, Ia
15 Year AwardGarbes, Brent
Waukon, IaGibson & Sons
Waukon, Ia
16 Year AwardLandt, Neil
Luana, Ia
18 Year AwardSchmitt Dairy Incfort atkinson, Ia
19 Year AwardKlosterman, Rich & Sandy
West union, Ia
Schroeder, Leo & BrendaCastalia, Ia
�� Year AwardBrincks, Don
Ossian, Ia
District 191 Year Award
Breitkreutz, OwenNeosho, WI
Breuckman, ChadColumbus, WI
Brockmeyer, PaulWhitewater, WI
De Lange, Jameselkhorn, WI
Holewinski, NealPulaski, WI
Kabara, EdwardPulaski, WI
Kabara, KathrynPulaski, WI
Przybylski, GaryKrakow, WI
Schaefer, JeffreyWatertown, WISchaefer, KurtWatertown, WI
Schaefer, SusanWatertown, WI
Scheel, Gary & DorisWaterloo, WI
Thatcher, BrianWhitewater, WIWeier, HarryDeerfield, WI
� Year AwardMess, Clarence & Catherine
Watertown, WISauer Dairy Farm LLC
Waterloo, WI
� Year AwardVogel, Rebecca
Helenville, WIWard, Breckelkhorn, WI
� Year AwardBusy Bee Acres, LLC
Markesan, WILandl Farms Inc.
Kaukauna, WIRengo FarmsWatertown, WI
Schuessler, AudraKaukauna, WI
Schuessler, RobertKaukauna, WI
Smith, Eugene & ShawnClinton, WI
5 Year AwardDeaver, Mikeedgerton, WI
Debruin, Grant & KathlenJohnson Creek, WI
Tremaine, MalcolmClinton, WI
6 Year AwardElderbrook Farms
burlington, WILambrecht, Donald
Kewaunee, WI
7 Year AwardHofa Park Dairy Farm LLC
Seymour, WIMoore Farms Inc.
elkhorn, WISecond Look Holsteins LLC
eden, WI
8 Year AwardGudex, Alice
Campbellsport, WIKabara, James
Pulaski, WIPaszek, Dennis & Chris
Juneau, WIPeterson, Per K.Whitewater, WI
Vandoske Dairy Farms LLC
page 8 page 8 SWISS VaLLey farMS DAIRYMAN
District 20: 11 Year Award:Duane & Dan SextonMillville, MN
District 20: 7 Year Award:Ray Pickelgin, MN
District 20: 22 Year Award:Matt, Hannah & Lauren HendelCaledonia, MN
District 20: 20 Year Award:Gerald & Judy BratlandSpring Grove, MN
District 22: 6 Year Award:Oat Hill Dairy, Katie Olson, atwater, MN
District 22: 9 Year Award:Jodie & Jim OelfkeHamburg, MN
District 22: 6 Year Award:Brian Entingerbelle Plaine, MN
District 21: 19 Year Award:Michelle, Kayla &Rick MeyerIowa falls, Ia
District 4: 26 Year Award:Helen & Loren DuweGarnavillo, Ia
Cleveland, WIWelter, Kris & Phillip
Whitewater, WI
9 Year AwardOberhaus, Thomas & Joan
Waukesha, WIVan Daalwyk, Bob & Paula
Hilbert, WI
District �01 Year Award
Hammell, EdwardCaledonia, MN
Ketchum, Robert & Terriutica, MN
Neldner, JamesLewiston, MN
� Year AwardGerdes, WilliamCaledonia, MNKlug, Darrell
Spring Grove, MNKlug, Matthew
Spring Grove, MNKlug, Steve & Anna
Spring Grove, MNVanderzee,
Randy & BettyDakota, MN
� Year AwardJohnson’s Rolling Acres
Peterson, MN
6 Year AwardNeldner, Marvin
Lewiston, MNReps, Dennis & Marcia
utica, MNReps, Travis
utica, MN
7 Year AwardPick, Garyelgin, MNPick, Rayelgin, MN
8 Year AwardIngvalson Farms Inc
Caledonia, MN
11 Year AwardSexton Farms
Millville, MNSexton, Dawn
Millville, MNSexton, LeaMillville, MN
1� Year AwardAldinger, Roger
Winona, MN
15 Year AwardBratland, Darin
Spring Grove, MN
16 Year AwardSchumacher,
Paul & JenniferHouston, MN
18 Year AwardSelke, William
Dakota, MN
�0 Year AwardBratland, DuronSpring Grove, MNBratland, GeraldSpring Grove, MN
�� Year AwardHendel FarmsCaledonia, MN
Meyer Farms Dairy LLCCaledonia, MNSelke, Walter
Dakota, MN
District �11 Year AwardBlasberg, Allen
Tripoli, IaBlasberg, Doug
Tripoli, Ia
Nolt, Reuben & Veraalta Vista, Ia
Sonberg Farms, LLCOsage, Ia
Stauffer, TitusCharles City, Ia
Ten Hoeve, Gerben & JulieWaverly, Ia
Weaver, NoahOrchard, Ia
Wehling FarmsSumner, Ia
Wehling, LarrySumner, Ia
Wehling, RandySumner, Ia
Wehling, RhondaSumner, Ia
Wiese, WayneNew Hartford, IaWiese, Wesley
New Hartford, Ia
� Year AwardBalk, GeraldWaucoma, Ia
Fink, RickMaynard, Ia
Holstein Mktng CenterFredericksburg, IA
District 23: 8 Year Award:Craig & Alice DierickxMonticello, WI
District 23: 11 Year Award:Jeff & Julie NimtzMonticello, WI
District 23: 6 Year Award:Eugene & Louise TheisWaunakee, WI
Jones, DonaldDumont, Ia
� Year AwardArends, Darwin & Dulci
ackley, IaHorst, Robert & Patricia
bristow, IaRector, Chuck
Denver, IaRector, JohnCedar falls, Ia
Weaver, CurvinOsage, Ia
7 Year AwardNolt, JohnOrchard, Ia
8 Year AwardHagedorn, Roger
Sumner, Ia
9 Year AwardDBA Balk BrosWaucoma, IaCurtis, Chris
aurora, IaGibralter Farms Ltd
Iowa falls, Ia
1� Year AwardVohsman, Roger
Nashua, Ia
17 Year AwardMiller, RonaldClarksville, Ia
18 Year AwardHofmeister, Dallas & Pat
Geneva, Ia
19 Year AwardMeyer, Richard & Michelle
Iowa falls, Ia
District ��1 Year Award
Farber, Jon & CherylGreen Isle, MNStuewe, PaulCologne, MN
Thaemert, JustinNorwood young america, MN
� Year AwardBlock, JamesHamburg, MN
Boltmann, AngieHamburg, MN
Boltmann, RebeccaHamburg, MN
Boltmann, RobertHamburg, MN
Koepp, Wayne & Kerrybelle Plaine, MN
5 Year AwardTews, Keith & Pam
Hutchinson, MN
6 Year AwardEntinger, Brian belle Plaine, MN
Oat Hillatwater, MN
Siegle Schrempp, SandraCologne, MN
Siegle, StevenCologne, MN
9 Year AwardHighview Farms
Hamburg, MN
District ��1 Year Award
Anthony, David Charlesbrooklyn, WI
Devries, DelbertOrangeville, IL
Hessenius, Craigfreeport, IL
Laufenberg, KotyCross Plains, WI
Orchard, WilliamJanesville, WIWessels, JimMcconnell, IL
Zarndt, George & CarolPoplar Grove, IL
� Year AwardHoffman, Don & Mary
Waunakee, WIHoffman, Jeremy
Waunakee, WIHoffman, Kevin
Waunakee, WIHoffman, Nathan
Waunakee,WIJenson, Christa
Gratiot, WIWundrow, Leslie
Poplar Grove, IL
� Year AwardEsser, RichardMiddleton, WI
� Year AwardH D farms LLC
Lodi, WIHosch, Robert & Daphne
Monroe, WIStatz, Allen
black earth, WI
Statz, Vernonblack earth, WI
5 Year AwardFassbender, Paul
Mazomanie, WIMaier, EugeneCross Plains, WI
Maier, JulieCross Plains, WI
6 Year AwardAustin, Raymond
black earth, WITheis, DavidWaunakee, WITheis, EugeneWaunakee, WI
8 Year AwardDierickx, Craig & Alice
Monticello, WI
11 Year AwardNimtz, Jeff
Monticello, WINimtz, Julie
Monticello, WI
DisTRicT MEETing coverage
page 10 SWISS VaLLey farMS DAIRYMAN
ThE fARM hOusE B&Breconnecting the bridge to agriculture
by Karen Bohnert
Swiss Valley Farms cooperative members Loren and Dianna Engelbrecht, Fredericksburg,
Iowa, are reconnecting the bridge from city life to farm life with their bed and breakfast, The Farm House.
The Engelbrecht’s Bed and Breakfast has become a place for city people to experience a dairy farm—in spades. “It is a joy to watch people reconnect with nature and the land,” Dianna said. “It is the reward of our business.”A lil’ History
Loren graduated from Iowa State University in 1969 with a degree in dairy science. He milked cows in the Quad Cities for a short while in the
1970’s. Loren then went to work for the Holstein Association marketing cattle. When the Holstein Association decided to get out of marketing, Loren marketed cattle on his own for awhile and then in 2000, he got into dairy farming again, and began shipping to Swiss Valley Farms.
In 1967, Dianna was crowned Iowa Dairy Princess. Her resume is quite impressive—a teacher, a high school principal and in 2000, Dianna earned her doctoral degree in educational leadership and taught at the University of Northern Iowa.
Loren and Dianna were named Outstanding YC winners for Swiss Valley Farms in 1979 and traveled
to both New Orleans and Miami to represent the co-op at NMPF.
In 1993, Loren and Dianna bought this old Victorian farmhouse that “needed a lot of work.” The Engelbrechts spent nearly five years renovating the house and it was in 1998 that they hosted their first customers at the Farm House Bed and Breakfast.
All guest rooms are decorated differently to reflect Dianna’s and Loren’s eclectic interests and feature private baths, TVs, VCRs, air conditioning, individual heating controls, queen and king size beds. They have two suites available that offer a Jacuzzi, deck, and other personal amenities. Wireless Internet is available throughout the house, and they get quite a bit of business travel.
Guests can choose from five rooms at the Farm House Bed and Breakfast: the Safari Room, the Room with a View, the Victorian Room, the Bovine Room and the Mickey Mouse Room.An interactive dairy farm
Loren and Dianna milk between 50 to 80 Holstein cows. With Loren’s marketing arm and customer contacts, they’ve developed quite a market to sell fresh dairy cows to various dairy operations throughout the Midwest. “We sell up to 80 fresh heifers a month and have just as many newborn calves a month,” Loren said. With all the newborns on the farm—The Farm Bed and Breakfast’s guests get a pretty good chance to witness the miracle of life. The Englebrechts have a camera in the barn to show
The englebrecht’s bed & breakfast Victorian farm House.Photo by Kelli Boylen reprinted with permission of Dairy Star, LLC. Use of Dairy Star material does not imply endorsement of any product or service. Copyright 2007 Dairy Star LLC.
FEBRUARY 2008 page 11
the births live in the house. “Some guests even stay up late to witness the calving process,” Loren said.
The Engelbrechts tell an amusing story about how the guests were eating breakfast, watching a calf on the television trying to stand up. Dianna had her back to the guests while cooking breakfast and when the guests started clapping and cheering, she realized it was because the calf had finally stood on its own.
The B&B guests have plenty of activities to keep them busy. Many get up early or head out in the evening to help Loren milk. “It is fun to let them squirt milk when they have
never even touched a cow before. Their eyes about pop out of their heads,” Loren said. Other guests help feed bottle calves, gather eggs, fish in the farm pound, walk, run or bike on the five-mile natural trail, shop in the farm’s wine and antique shop—and, of course, they all enjoy a full-course farmer’s breakfast cooked by Dianna herself.
Dianna and Loren love their guests and in nine years of having their Bed and Breakfast doors open, they’ve never had an unpleasant visitor. In return, the reservation book for the B&B has filled up rapidly. In each of the past three years, the number of
guests has doubled from the previous year.
“Our mission is to help people relax, and to see agriculture in a positive way,” Dianna said. “And people are so grateful.” Many of their visitors are from Minneapolis, Des Moines, Madison and Chicago. They estimate that 80 percent of their guests are urban.
The Englebrechts are bridging the generational gap by allowing this real farm experience to touch grandchildren to grandparents. “Families with children of all ages travel to the farm together and
Loren & Dianna englebrecht.Photo by Kelli Boylen reprinted with permission of Dairy Star, LLC. Use of Dairy Star material does not imply endorsement of any product or service. Copyright 2007 Dairy Star LLC.
Continued on Pg. 15
page 1� SWISS VaLLey farMS DAIRYMAN
Yc’ERs, iT’s TiME TO REgisTERfor the 2008 YC spring break
It’s time to register for the two-day Young Cooperator Conference. This year’s YC conference will be held at the Best Western Midway Hotel in Dubuque, Iowa on Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29th.
2008 YC Spring Break ScheduleFriday, March 28 10:00 a.m. Registration 10:30 a.m. Welcome & early bird door prizes 10:45 a.m. Question & Answer Session Gordy Toyne, Co-CEO, Swiss Valley Farms 11:30 a.m. Lunch 12:30 p.m. Marketing Review Ron Schroder, Director of Marketing, Swiss Valley Farms 1:00 p.m. Dealing with Family & Hired Help Workshop Dr. Bernie Erven, Professor Emeritus, Ohio State University 2:30-3:00 p.m. Ice-cream Social Break 3:00 p.m. Family & Hired Help Workshop 4:30 p.m. Break 6:30 p.m. Dinner 8:00 p.m. Entertainment
Saturday, March 29 7:30 a.m. Breakfast 8:30 a.m. Producer Panel Three Swiss Valley Farms producers will give power point presentations, talking about their herd &
management practices. 10:00 a.m. Swiss Valley Farms product test contest 10:30 a.m. Iowa State University Dairy Farm Virtual Tour Iowa State University Rep will give a tour of their new facilities 12:00 p.m. Lunch 12:45 p.m. Discussion of the National YC Program 1:00 p.m. Wrap-up Session 2:00 p.m. Conclude
Who is a Young cooperator? You are a Swiss Valley Farms Young Cooperator if you are between and including the ages of 18 and 45 AND 1. You are a Swiss Valley Farms co-op member 2. Or the son or daughter of a co-op member 3. Or if you work in the dairy operation of a Swiss Valley Farms member
2008 Outstanding Young cooperative contestAlso during this conference, the Swiss Valley Farms Outstanding Young Cooperator Contest will be held on Friday. If you
want to open the door on unlimited opportunities for learning, leadership and travel, look into participating in this contest. Fill out the YC Contest Application on the next page, write the short essay and submit everything in an envelope separate from your Spring Break Registration form. The contest interviews will be held during the day Friday with results announced at the end of the conference on Saturday. This year’s NMPF National Dairy Summit will be held in late October in Nashville, Ten-nesse at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.
The age limit on this national YC contest is 21 to 40 years.
FEBRUARY 2008 page 1�
Yc spring Break conference Registration formGet you registration in ASAP. Registration deadline is Friday, March 14, 2008.
Include your $10 per person check with your form.
YES! Reserve a room for me at this YC Spring Break March 28-March 29, 2008 in Dubuque, Iowa
Name PhoneAddressProducer# Doyourequireasmokingroom?
Mail this form and your check to Swiss Valley Farms Co, YC Spring Break PO Box 4493, Davenport, IA 52808
Swiss Valley Farms 2008 Young Cooperator Contest to select OuTsTAnDing YOung DAiRY PRODucERs
Contest Rules1) To be eligible to enter, contestants must be a member of the cooperative or in the immediate family of a member and active in the dairying operation or a full-time employee of a Swiss Valley Farms member dairy operation, be between the ages of 18 and must not have turned 41 before November 1, 2008.2) To enter: Fill in the following form as completely as possible.3) Entries must be submitted to Nancy Feeney at the Swiss Valley Farms Corporate Headquarters by Friday, March 14, 2008. Entries may be Faxed to the Corporate Headquarters at 563.468.6613. Entrants will be interviewed by the Member Relations Committee on Friday afternoon, March 28th at the YC Conference in Dubuque, Iowa, where the final judging will take place.
YC Contest Application Part 1 Tell Us About YourselfContestant’s Name (s)_____________________________________Phone # ____________________________________Address __________________________________________________________________________________________Birthdate _______________ Age ________ Number of Years in Dairying ______________________________________ Community and Civic Activities (Also list spouse’s activities, if applicable) Use additional sheet is necessary: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Agricultural related activities and organizations: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________List Other Cooperatives in which you have memberships. (Indicate if director, etc.): ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YC Contest Application Part II Write Down Your Thoughts
On a separate sheet of paper, write your thoughts on the following question.“ As a co-op member, what do you see as the most important service Swiss Valley Farms Co.
performs for your dairy operation?” Please keep your answer to 250 words or less. Remember that we are looking for your opinions and ideas.
There is no right or wrong answer to this question._______________________________________________________________________Mail your entry to: Swiss Valley Farms, Co., Outstanding YC Contest, c/o Nancy Feeney
PO Box 4493, Davenport, IA 52808Entries must be in the SVF Corporate Headquarters by: Friday, March 14, 2008
DO nOt put this fORM in the saMe envelOpe as yOuR spRing BReak RegistRatiOn fORM.Contestant # ___________(This # will be assigned by the Member Relations Committee)
page 1� SWISS VaLLey farMS DAIRYMAN
Somatic Cell Range % of A Farms0 - 100,000.......................................................4 %100,001 - 200,000.......................................23 %200,001 - 300,000......................................29%300,001 - 400,000........................................21 %400,001 - 500,000.........................................10 %500,001 and above......................................13%
Somatic Cell Range % of B Farms0 - 100,000.......................................................2%100,001 - 200,000.........................................16%200,001 - 300,000......................................20%300,001 - 400,000......................................10%400,001 - 500,000.........................................16%500,001 and above...................................36%
During the Month of December, these Swiss Valley Farms
Members averaged below 100,000 for their
somatic cell count.
Darwin & Dulci Arends 90,000Chad Breuckman 62,000Kevin & Donna Carolan 77,000Mike Deaver 67,000Randy Dreier 72,000Elmer Engelken 97,000Michael Engelken 97,000Brian Entinger 95,000Larry Gilbertson 77,000Hendel Farms 85,000Hodson-Dirksen Farms LLC 67,000Dallas & Pat Hofmeister 95,000Robert & Patricia Horst 67,000Wayne & Kerry Koepp 91,000Donald Lambrecht 71,000Koty Laufenberg 64,000Cheryl Meier 56,000Mike Meier 56,000Oat Hill 74,000Kenneth & Marlus Schmitz 77,000Mark Allen Schrock 83,000Sexton Farms 98,000Dawn Sexton 98,000Lea Sexton 98,000Titus Stauffer 84,000Donald Stoehr 97,000Frank Stoehr 97,000Steven & Sherry Vlasak 92,000Leighton Yoder 68,000
J. GordoN ToYNe Co-Ceo
Office: 563.468.6644Home: 563.289.3535
LeClaire, Ia 52753
NANCY FeeNeY member relations mgrOffice: 563.468.6640Home: 563.359.9100
bettendorf, Ia 52722
KAreN BohNerT member relationsOffice: 563.468.6641
Mobile: 563.320.2895east Moline, IL 61244
TIm GeNThe lab & safety managerOffice: 563.583.7669Home: 608.744.3515
803 S. School St.Cuba City, WI 53807
mArV ThomPSoNraw milk sales & transportation
Office: 608.366.1770Home: 608.269.4850
617 Monroe St.Sparta, WI 54656
roN BreNNer field supervisorOffice: 608.366.1770Home: 608.782.0012
204 Goddard St.LaCrosse, WI
ThomAS TeGeLer field supervisorOffice: 563.583.7669Home: 563.875.2059
1320 11/2 St. S.W.Dyersville, Ia 52040
douGLAS ANderSoNHome: 608.375.2690
Mobile: 608.287.4025 149 Wildwood Ct.boscobel, WI 53805
rANdY heISeLHome: 608.625.2045259 e. Lakeview Dr.
Lafarge, WI 54639
Fred ImdIeKe
Home: 320.256.493236356 roanoke LaneMelrose, MN 56352
KArA KooPmANN Plant: 563.583.7669
Home: 563.876.39006142 roller Coaster rd.epworth, Ia 52045
roGer LeNIuSOffice: 319.352.5463Home: 319.352.5015
319 9th St.Waverly, Ia 50677
KeN LeY Plant: 608.348.3932
Home: 608.943.6240225 S. CliftonLivingston, WI 53554
LYNNe meLCherT
Office: 563.926.2363Home: 563.926.2794
117 Culver rd. N.e.Hopkinton, Ia 52237
JIm murPhY Home: 563.422.5789Mobile: 563.380.0393
430 LindenWest union, Ia 52175
JIm SChmITZ Office: 563.925.2321Home: 563.925.2015
202 bechner St.Greeley, Ia 52050
CherYL ZABLoCKI-WAGNer Office: 920.822.2887
Mobile: 563.663.1306W1919 Hofa Park DrSeymour, WI 54165
BoB ZIeLSdorF Office: 608.366.1770Home: 608.269.5452
309 North StreetSparta, WI 54656
Field Department & Procurement Division Directory
mIKe hoWALdHome: 815.938.2651
faX: 815.938.91517105 N. freeport rdforreston, IL
doN deSJArLAISmembership & procurement
Office: 563.468.66xxMobile: 563.271.2290
LeClaire, Ia 52753
swiss valley farmsfiElD PERsOnnEl & sTATs
ClASSiFieDADS
fOR sale: Delaval rotary milking equipment, 3 inch, stainless steel pipeline, Surge pump-over receiver jar and three new pulse milker units. Interested, call Wilbur Kelderman @ 641.949.6264.
Continued on Pg. 15
It sure looks like winter. Swisss Valley Farms members and past YC winners, Kent & Sandy Franks, Franks’ Farm in St. Olaf, Iowa graces this month’s cover.
The Franks milk 80 Registered Holstein and Ayrshire cows with a herd average of 24,800 lbs. of milk. They have two children who are active on the farm: Bryon, 12 and Rachel, 10. Bryon was featured in the January 29th Dairy Star. The story talked about his extreme involvement with his Ayrshire cows.
On ThE cOvER
sometimes all learn about farming for the first time,” Dianna said. Their visitors include everyone from young families to baby boomers.
A tire swing has many hours on it, and these city folks that flock to this B&B find a country, farm life just what they needed to decompress. Visitors get to connect with nature, enjoy the simplicity that we farmers have grown found of—quietness, sunsets and sunrises and more.
“So many people say this is the most beautiful place. I think it is because of the serenity,” Dianna said. “People are hungry for this. They are tired of being over stimulated.” More agriculture
The Engelbrechts planted their own grapes on nine and half acres, and started making their own wines a year and half ago. They are preparing to sell it in their existing antique and wine store—an old machine shed. This shed also has a large room, the Gathering Room, which was originally built as a room to host bus tours, but it has turned into a special events room. The room features floor to ceiling windows overlooking the farm.
Between the Bed and Breakfast, winery and Gathering Room, the Engelbrechts’ operation employs three people full-time and three part-time, in addition to Loren and Dianna.
Loren and Dianna have two sons: Michael and Matthew. Michael lives in Oregon and manages two John Deere dealerships. He and his wife have part ownership in the Gathering Room and the gift shop, and his wife
Christina is Engelbrechts’ bookkeeper and helps with marketing. Michael and Christina’s children are Noah, Becca and Leah, who all love to visit their grandparents and their farm.
Matthew is an engineer and his wife, Katrina, live with their daughter Rachel in Fredericksburg. Katrina works in the winery and helps at the Gathering Room.
To learn more about the Farm House Bed and Breakfast, go to www.thefarmhousebb.com.
ThE fARM hOusE B&Breconnecting the bridge to agriculture
continued
Continued from Pg. 11
Loren englebrecht in his vineyard.
your copy of
Post Office Box 4493Davenport, IA 52808
Address Service Requested
PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE
PAIDPermit No. 141Davenport, IA
schOlARshiP AnnOuncEMEnTThe Insurance Center
The Insurance Advisory Council has announced six $500 scholarships that will
be available May 2008.Three of these scholarships are provided by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and three are provided by T.I.C., Inc.
To be eligible for a scholarship, students must be a high school graduate, continuing their education in an agricultural related field while attending a post-secondary college,
university or technical school program.
To attain a scholarship application, call 1-800-362-8046 and ask for Randi. The application form should be completed and returned to: Insurance Advisory Council, T.I.C. Inc., Attn: Randi Santos, 701 Sand Lake Road, Onalaska, WI 54650. The deadline is March 15, 2008.