01/01/2026
As I look back at this year I am proud of where i at right now. I am now a Audubon certified bird friendly ranch. By using managed grazing and control burning on land increases habitat for many of our very important grassland species. I took over the family farm in the 1980s where i was born and raised milking cows as a conventional operation. I became a grazing operation in 2005 which was one of the best decisions of my life, I also became certified organic in 2015 and became a 100% grass milk dairy for Organic Valley. In 2022 the dairy operation sold but i kept all my certified organic land and transition to a cow calf operation. Also with my son Holden we have a Aquaponic system which we grow lettuce year round in a repurposed dairy barn using tilapia. We direct sell to 100% grass-fed beef and the aquaponic lettuce to our local food community. My parents settled here in 1956 in 2026 we will be celebrating 70 years on the land and very proud of that and don't plan on going anywhere. I would like to think everyone who's walked this path with me. We the Family farms need to stand tall and proud because we are the future. Buy local eat well. God Bless America and Happy New Year
