YOUR FARMERS
THE FARMERS
DAN
Growing up on the family farm, the land, known as “The 80”, was always a special place to me. In my younger years, it provided a far away (1 mile) stomping ground to hunt, fish and explore. Today, I still hunt and fish but have found the land to be my true passion. As a high school graduate, I wanted to expand my agriculture education and attended UW – River Falls, in the Dairy Science program. I then gained valuable experience by moving to Arizona and working on a 4000-cow dairy farm. Upon returning to Wisconsin I worked on the family farm for 1 year before pursuing my own dairy farm for nearly 20 years. While operating my own farm, I also started an on-farm Cheesecake Bakery, selling on site and at farmers markets. After selling the farm I took on a new career in the corporate food industry, learning many valuable skills in food production and safe food handling. My true passion has always been farming and the outdoors. It's exciting to call "The 80" home again!"
SHEILA
I grew up a “city girl” in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin and thought my life was meant to be in the big city. After high school, I went to college in Chicago and received a bachelor’s degree in Business Operations Management and worked. Chicago was fun for a few years but decided to give Los Angeles a shot. The L.A. company I worked for closed and landed me back in Wisconsin, the best thing that could have happened! While raising my family I worked in many different jobs, often 3 at a time, gaining great experience in many different areas. Patience came from driving school bus for 17 years. Multitasking came from waitressing for 14 years. Sense of humor (and a little profanity) came from working in kitchens, as a caterer, prep cook, and delivery driver. My me time was spent in my flower gardens and dreaming of a yard large enough for a vegetable garden. That dream came true when the kids grew up and I returned to the corporate world. Here I learned the importance of knowing where our food comes from and met the man to finish my life with. Today, so many families (and mine previously) use fast food and box prep meals as a way of feeding our families. Working in the food manufacturing industry and having the ability and knowledge to grow our food has changed my thinking. It's fun, it's nutritious, and it’s NOT expensive! Get on board, eat fresh and eat local! A farm girl is what I have become, and I love every minute of it!