Age: Never too old to learn something new
Location: Horicon, Wisconsin
History of your dairy, in a nutshell: My husband, Robert, and I own and operate a 400-cow dairy, raising replacement heifers as well as growing corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa. I am responsible for young stock up to 6 months old, in addition to financial records, human resources, helping to plant and harvest crops. I also enjoy keeping the farm landscape maintained beautifully. We have three children: Kelly, Adam and Kimberly.
“If I wasn’t a dairywoman, I would be…” involved in my family’s business of sub-contract machining, started by my grandfather. G & V Machine Co. produces parts for Case IH, New Holland and John Deere, among others.
How long have you been a member of American Agri-Women? I joined 14 years ago after receiving a free membership in a prize package for winning the local Jaycees Outstanding Young Farmer competition.
Why did you join? I wanted to unite with other dairywomen in the area and nationwide to keep a connection between consumers and the farmers that produce their food. I also felt it was time for me to get involved in legislative and regulatory issues, and American Agri-Women is a great organization to learn from.
A little-known fact about AAW is … it is a multi-generational organization working together to be a voice for American agriculture. When American Agri-Women presents its positions and meets with legislators in Washington, D.C. at our June fly-in, you may see grandmothers mentoring granddaughters and mothers attending with their sons or daughters.
My favorite representative or employee is … our executive committee. All committee members are dedicated to American Agri-Women members and affiliates across the country and continue to keep members engaged in industry issues and promotion.
What this organization does best is … building the leadership skills of its members to be more effective in promoting the agricultural industry.
I feel valued as a member when … a first-time attendee to our annual meeting from a recently formed state affiliate informs us she is excited to be a part of American Agri-Women and says, “You all are great people.”
An influential or interesting person I’ve met through the organization is … Mindy Patterson
She is influential or interesting because … when Mindy talks, people listen. Mindy updated members about current legislative issues and regulatory progress at American Agri-Women’s mid-year meeting last year. According to a survey about the meeting’s speakers, Mindy’s legislative update was the most valuable to our members.
The dairy industry’s greatest opportunity is … communicating with consumers.
I hope my dairy legacy is … I was not raised on a dairy farm; I married an outstanding dairy farmer. I stepped outside of my comfort zone to promote the industry I fell in love with.
My advice to all dairymen/dairywomen is … take the time to connect with consumers on a day-to-day basis. Have your 30-second elevator speech ready for action! PD
American Agri-Women
1701 K. Street, NW, Suite 650
Washington, DC 20006
(888) 374-0375
Founded: 1974
Members: American Agri-Women is the nation’s largest coalition of farm, ranch and agribusiness women with more than 50 state, commodity and agribusiness affiliate organizations throughout the country.
Mission:
“We, as women’s agricultural organizations and individuals, unite to communicate with one another and with other consumers to promote agriculture for the benefit of the American people and the world.”
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Age: Never too old to learn something new
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Location: Horicon, Wisconsin
History of your dairy, in a nutshell: My husband, Robert, and I own and operate a 400-cow dairy, raising replacement heifers as well as growing corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa. I am responsible for young stock up to 6 months old, in addition to financial records, human resources, helping to plant and harvest crops. I also enjoy keeping the farm landscape maintained beautifully. We have three children: Kelly, Adam and Kimberly.
“If I wasn’t a dairywoman, I would be…” involved in my family’s business of sub-contract machining, started by my grandfather. G & V Machine Co. produces parts for Case IH, New Holland and John Deere, among others.
How long have you been a member of American Agri-Women? I joined 14 years ago after receiving a free membership in a prize package for winning the local Jaycees Outstanding Young Farmer competition.
Why did you join? I wanted to unite with other dairywomen in the area and nationwide to keep a connection between consumers and the farmers that produce their food. I also felt it was time for me to get involved in legislative and regulatory issues, and American Agri-Women is a great organization to learn from.
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A little-known fact about AAW is … it is a multi-generational organization working together to be a voice for American agriculture. When American Agri-Women presents its positions and meets with legislators in Washington, D.C. at our June fly-in, you may see grandmothers mentoring granddaughters and mothers attending with their sons or daughters.
My favorite representative or employee is … our executive committee. All committee members are dedicated to American Agri-Women members and affiliates across the country and continue to keep members engaged in industry issues and promotion.
What this organization does best is … building the leadership skills of its members to be more effective in promoting the agricultural industry.
I feel valued as a member when … a first-time attendee to our annual meeting from a recently formed state affiliate informs us she is excited to be a part of American Agri-Women and says, “You all are great people.”
An influential or interesting person I’ve met through the organization is … Mindy Patterson
advertisement
She is influential or interesting because … when Mindy talks, people listen. Mindy updated members about current legislative issues and regulatory progress at American Agri-Women’s mid-year meeting last year. According to a survey about the meeting’s speakers, Mindy’s legislative update was the most valuable to our members.
The dairy industry’s greatest opportunity is … communicating with consumers.
I hope my dairy legacy is … I was not raised on a dairy farm; I married an outstanding dairy farmer. I stepped outside of my comfort zone to promote the industry I fell in love with.
My advice to all dairymen/dairywomen is … take the time to connect with consumers on a day-to-day basis. Have your 30-second elevator speech ready for action! PD
American Agri-Women
1701 K. Street, NW, Suite 650
Washington, DC 20006
(888) 374-0375
Founded: 1974
Members: American Agri-Women is the nation’s largest coalition of farm, ranch and agribusiness women with more than 50 state, commodity and agribusiness affiliate organizations throughout the country.
Mission:
“We, as women’s agricultural organizations and individuals, unite to communicate with one another and with other consumers to promote agriculture for the benefit of the American people and the world.”