Guest Blog

More than 208,000 jobs could disappear if we were to eliminate the immigrant work force in the dairy industry. These hard-working folks are performing jobs that, year after year, go unfilled by our domestic workforce.

My husband, Eric, and I have officially been owners of the farm for almost three months. We finished our corn silage recently, which made our first summer of harvesting our own crops complete. This means we have survived busy summer weekends, crazy weeks, finding a babysitter and everything else that comes along with farming in a summer.

At the end of the school year last year, Tucker and Cassidy pulled me into an aisle during our weekly Theisen’s trip. “Mommy, we want a drone,” Tucker said. “I have tons of money in my savings account. Can we get it?”

Henry Hemminghaus, my great-grandfather, was born in Germany in May of 1858. Born to parents who made their living in agricultural work, Henry worked alongside them, learning all he could. He was a hard-working, industrious young man pursuing a big dream.

What is it that you want to do? What’s your dream come true at World Dairy Expo (WDE)?

What had been a “should” when it comes to social media for the agriculture community has become a “must.” Millions of customers are ready and willing to engage with farmers. When we don’t take that opportunity, animal rights activists and others are there to fill the void.