Mackinson Dairy Farm

Women in Dairy: Laura Daniels of Heartwood Farms from Cobb, Wisconsin

mtmacki — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 11:23:10 +0000

Laura Daniels is a mother, wife, farmer, dairy consultant and agriculture advocate. I met Laura at the 2013 Ag Chat Conference where she was the keynote where she related hitch pins to telling our story. I still remember the keynote to this day and am honored for her to share her story with us today as the conclusion to my Women in Dairy series. At Heartwood Farm in Cobb, WI, Laura and her husband Jarred Searls take great joy in teaching their children Nathan (15) and Julia (10) their values as they work together. While Laura and Jarred share in ownership of the farm, it is Laura who serves as General Manager in charge of day-to-day operations. They have 6 full-time employees, 300 beautiful Jersey cows and operate 650 acres of crop and pasture land. Laura and Jarred have been awarded Conservation Farmer of the Year by both the Iowa County Land Conservation Department and the local chapter of Trout Unlimited.

Nathan Laura’s son cares for a new baby at Heartwood Farm

Laura also does consulting on business development, team building, and employee management for Star Blends located in Sparta, WI. Laura is a graduate of University of Wisconsin Madison, in Dairy Science and Agricultural and Life Sciences Communications. She is active with organizations including Wisconsin Farm Bureau, Common Ground, and Iowa County Farmers Appreciation Day among others. She has helped coach the Iowa County Dairy Judging Team for 16 years. Laura is founder and president of the Dairy Girl Network an organization helping dairy women across the nation connect and succeed. This organization was my inspiration for this series. Laura was recognized at one of Vance Publishing’s 40 under 40 in 2014, and was honored to be chosen as the 2013 Wisconsin AgVocate of the year.

Laura and Julia with Heart one of the few Holsteins at Heartwood Farm

Her barn office is her advocacy headquarters, where she takes time each day to spread pro-agriculture messages on Facebook, Twitter, her blog and Instagram. She also hits the road to deliver pro-ag and motivational speeches across the country, inspiring many to find their passion, build their skills and have confidence to tell their story.

Laura’s Story in her own words:

It is my joy to help Mary wrap up what has turned into the most amazing display of incredible women in dairy farming. If you haven’t yet, please take time to look back at the last 58 days here on the Mackinson Dairy Farm blog. You will find farmers, consultants, and dairy believers. You will find women who have been farming for decades, young women just starting out and women who support dairy farmers each and every day. You will find women who raise calves, cows, dogs, cats, horses and lots of really special farm kids. Oh, and husbands we raise those too.

Most of all you will find passion, lots and lots of it.

Just a few of our beautiful Jersey cows at Heartwood Farm

You might be surprised that Mary found 60 women this passionate about dairy? Well I can tell you there are thousands and thousands of us across the nation. These are the women caring for the cows who produce milk for families everywhere. And the best news? There are more women like them. Their promise to love and care for their cows is real, and they are inspiring others to dedicate their time and talent to dairy farming. A review of the best dairy science programs across the nation shows this hope. More than half of the students enrolled are women. The top graduates winning the scholarships, and awards for dairy cattle evaluation and management are 70% female.

However, according to the Census of Agriculture only 5% of the primary operators of dairy farms are women. This also happens to be the percentage of women holding positions on our dairy cooperative boards of directors as well as top management at those companies. These statistics are disappointing.

But these numbers don’t concern me.

I am unconcerned because of the 60 women profiled here, and others like them in every corner of our great nation. Change is coming in the dairy business. It’s coming like a freight train. Women have always been instrumental on farms, especially dairy farms. Our roles have changed over the years and will keep changing, for the better of the women and dairy farming as a whole. For some that will mean continuing to be the farm wife who holds it ALL together behind the scenes as she raises her family at her side. Some it will mean being the owner or general manager, at the helm choosing the direction of the business. Others it will be providing services to farms: marketing, genetic analysis, crop consulting, milking equipment, calf care, herd management, veterinary service, cheese making, graphic design, etc. etc.

The important thing is that she lives the role she chooses.

Again, I urge you to look back at the strong self-directed women. They are owners, managers, service providers and mothers. Each living a life she worked hard to create. Each making dairy farming better than it was before.

We started the Dairy Girl Network as a way to bring these hard working women together allowing them to inspire and support each other. We began with networking events, a chance to share a glass of wine and unwind with like-minded women. This new organization has quickly gained momentum and national support. Dairy Girl Network is now a national organization with personal and professional development programming being planned along with more of our popular networking events across the nation. If you are a woman involved in any segment of dairy please check us out!

Laura at 11 years old with her first show calf Frisky

I’d like to end with my own path to being a dairy farmer.

I knew when I was 11 years old that I wanted to be a dairy farmer. I just thought I would need to marry a dairy farmer to be one myself. After college, I went to work as a cow nutritionist, a job I loved. After a few twists and turns I ended up in a beautiful house in a wonderful town with a great career in dairy cattle nutrition. All was well, but my dream of being a farmer seemed to be a distant memory.

Then I met him.

He was perfect. He had never milked a cow. But he believed in me and wanted to make my dreams come true. My dreams became our dreams. Turns out, I did need to marry the right man, one who thought I could set the world on fire, he still does.

We saved every penny and bought our farm. I did grow up on a dairy farm, but we bought someone else’s family farm. That was ten years ago. It is still a struggle when the milk price dips down, but we own our own farm. And I may have several jobs, but I am a dairy farmer first. The only thing I ever really wanted to be.

I said this earlier, but the passion that drives a woman in dairy is something to behold.

She is hard working because she chooses to be. She is tough as nails one moment and quick with a tender touch or word the next. She raises food for your family with compassion, care and integrity. I’m glad Mary has taken the time over the last 58 days to introduce her to you.

Laura, thank you for sharing your story with us! Make sure you follow Laura on social media, “Like” Heartwood Farms on Facebook, follow her on Instagram, Twitter and her blog.

Entire Women in Dairy Series:

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Women in Dairy: Ysabel Jacobs of Ferme Jacobs

mtmacki — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 11:38:47 +0000

Ysabel Jacobs is our first international woman to be featured during our Women in Dairy Series. Ysabel grew up on her family’s dairy farm with her parents, brothers and a sister. She graduated from the University with a degree in Administration Marketing International. Today, she farms with her father, Jean; her mother Marian, her husband Tyler (and their three kids: Alyson (5), Ryan (4) and Jayden (2); and her brother, Yan and his wife Vero (and their 5 kids: Elsie (8), Nellie (6), Henry (4), and Charly & Johny (2). Together, this true family operation operates two dairy farms, Ferme Jacobs and Ty-D Holsteins. At Ferme Jacobs, they have 600 head, milk 140 cows in addition to 1100 acres. Their breeding philosophy is based on type which is evident by numerous show accolades in addition to them marketing cattle and embryos worldwide. Together, Ysabel and Freder Fillion manage this part of the farming operation.

When Ysabel is not active on the farm, her oldest kids just started skate lessons, she is also an active biker and this year, trained and successful completed for a 140 km bike ride with a friend.

Ysabel’s Story in her own words:

What is your favorite dairy product?

Cheese. All kinds of cheese, my best nights are a wine and cheese supper!

Who is your favorite cow?

My favorite cow is Jacobs Goldwyn Valana. My favorite breed is Holstein. I love a dairy cow with lots of strength, great feet and legs and are easy to work with.

Editor’s note: Goldwyn Valana was the 2^nd place Mature Cow, 1^st place Bred & Owned, Reserve Senior Champion, Grand Champion Bred & Owned and Reserve Grand Champion Holstein at the 2015 World Dairy Expo!

What are 3 things you want consumers to know about the dairy products you produce?

We do have a very different family but we do what we love and it is never quiet because we work with animals all the time.
We look after our cows as if they were a part of our family so don’t imagine that we are hard on them.
Population should get closer to farms, as they produce their meals every day.

As a Mom what do you want to share with others about the dairy industry?

As a mom it is for me the best way to raise our kids even though there is risk on the farm. Kids have a nice opportunity and can challenge themselves at a young age.

When did you start farming?

I started as I grew up, on our family farm. Now, I manage the marketing operation of the farm and look after all the new babies until the age of breeding.

Describe a typical/average day for you.

Start my day by feeding calves with my mom
Come back for breakfast with the kids as they start school
During the day: I am responsible for show planning during the fall. I manage the vaccination program and work with the cattle to get them ready for show. I also look after the workers to make sure they are all happy and then I work on selling embryos. We raise around 160 newborn calves every year and I look after them with my mom.
At night I do chores again with the kids and come back home around 7 pm for bath, supper and homework and then it’s time to go bed…

What is the most rewarding part of being in the dairy industry?

The dairy industry is a large family worldwide, it seems like we all know each other as we speak for the first time.

What advice would you give someone interested in the dairy industry?

Work with passion and you will enjoy it. My grandmother use to say; find a job you like and work for it, you will find success.

What do you envision the future of the dairy industry looking like?

Lots of change is going on right now in Canada but I hope that there will always be a place for family dairy farms. Family dairy farms are a treasure for us and the next generation coming.

To read more about the Jacobs’ family, I encourage you to check out these Bullvine articles:

Stay connected with Ysabel and Ferme Jacobs on their website and Facebook page.

Ysabel, thank you for sharing your story with us and good luck to Ferme Jacobs at the Royal Winter Fair!

Entire Women in Dairy Series:

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30 Days of Dairy: My brother, Matt Mackinson of Mackinson Dairy Farm

mtmacki — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 17:57:31 +0000

It’s November 30th, so I am writing my last 30 Days of Dairy introduction. It’s a little bittersweet but am excited to introduce my brother, Matthew Mackinson (age 30) of Pontiac, IL. Matt and his wife, Amy have one son,Isaac. Our parents are Donald & Rita. I am the older, Matt is the middle child and David is the youngest. Mackinson Dairy Farm is a conventional dairy that milks 160 head of Registered Holsteins with a few Ayrshires and Milking Shorthorns. The cows are milked in a double 6 herringbone parlor. We raise all our own feed besides protein meal and corn by products that are fed. Our crops include corn, soybeans,alfalfa, wheat, rye and oats. Our milk is sold to Prairie Farms Dairy and goes to either Peoria as fluid milk or to Joliet where it’s made into cheese.

Matt, Amy & Isaac Mackinson

Growing up, Matt was involved in 4-H with dairy and crops as his main projects. After high school, Matt headed up to Madison, WI and attended the University of Wisconsin Farm Industry Short Course. Farming is Matt’s life and if he has any free time left, he spends it with his wife & son, enjoys building stuff and is involved with the Livingston County Young Leaders. Before returning to the farm full-time, Matt worked at our local John Deere dealership, KSR as a mechanic but we always knew that all he wanted to do is farm with our Dad. What’s Matt’s favorite dairy product, chocolate milk!

Matt’s Story in his own words:

When did you start farming?

I’ve worked on the farm growing up,but after I graduated high school and came home from college, I took over the cows.

View of part of the farm from the silo!

Has your farm changed since you became involved?

It has changed drastically. In the last ten years, we have remodeled the parlor from a double 4 to a double 6, put up a 140 cow coverall with sand free stalls, dug a lagoon (that holds 2.8 million gallons of manure), built a corn silage bunker, 2 heifer barns, a maternity barn and we just finished the calf shed. We also utilize AI24 system (electronic heat detection system) and I can access all of our cows records via pocket dairy on my phone. In coordination with Dr. Justin Powell, we are actively using embryo transfer and in-vitro fertilization on a few of our elite animals. With regards to the grain portion of the farm, we use GPS, autosteer and mapping.

Who do you farm with?

I farm with my Dad (Don), Uncle (Roy) and Dan and I am responsible for the cows. I do everything from milking, feeding the calves, mating, general herd health and vaccinations to their ration and everything else I forgot to mention.

What has been the most rewarding part of farming for you?

The most rewarding is seeing a calf being born, when you exhibit a grand champion, hauling a bumper crop to the elevator and being able to raise my kid the way I was raised, through hard work.

What has been the most challenging part of farming for you?

The to do list never gets shorter, dealing with and accepting what God and mother nature deal you…from an et heifer born dead, to a field of hay getting rained on, a drought etc.

What is the biggest misconception about the dairy industry?

That our cows are full of drugs, hormones and we abuse our cows. At our farm, we only administer antibiotics when our animals are sick. We also do not use the synthetic hormone rBST. We abuse ourselves caring for our cows.

Who is your favorite cow?

Growing up it was always Rita 3…she wasn’t a show cow. Now…. it would be Darcy, Shania and Mona.

What is your greatest achievement thus far?

Greatest achievement has to be, being given the reigns to run a successful dairy farm. Shipping quality milk that qualifies for the maximum amount of premiums to selling animals that go on to be successful, caring for animals that win purple banners and breeding and developing animals that are successful.

Do you open your farm for tours or agro-tourism opportunities?

Yes, we give tours and welcome visitors.

What’s one question you always receive about what you do?

A lot of people think we’re like grain farmers and go to the coffee shop daily and people don’t truly grip that it’s a 24/ 7 /365 job.

What is one message you’d like to get across to the general public about what you do?

If you choose to buy organic food or all natural food for your family, that is totally your choice and I respect that. But don’t be someone who is uninformed and think our products aren’t safe. Everyone says gmos are terrible, but I bet 95% of those people have no idea what a gmo even is.

What do you hope for your kids or future generations on your dairy?

That they are given a fair chance to market their product to the general public and care for their animals the way they were raised and not the way people assume we do.

What advice would you give to anyone interested in getting into farming?

I would first suggest to work for a dairy farm first and not only do the manual labor but also all the book work. I understand as well as anyone that it’s born in you. It’s a lot of work bu tI wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Matt showing Darcy

Matt, thank you for taking time to participate in our “Thirty Days of Dairy” series. If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our blog (no spam, just an email when we post a new blog) so you don’t miss any posts.

As I conclude my Thirty Days of Dairy, I need to thank a few people. First, I would like to thank the 34 dairy farmers that shared their story with us this month. I would also like to thank my family as this project as been very time consuming but worth every minute. Finally, I would like to thank each one of you that has read, commented or shared one of these stories. I hope you have enjoyed my Thirty Days of Dairy! ~Mary

Entire “Thirty Days of Dairy” Series:

Introduction

Sarah & Andy Birch – Derby, VT – the dairy farmers that were my inspiration for the 30 Days of Dairy!

Melissa Collman – Boring, OR – an organic dairy farmer from the West Coast!

Macy Sarbacker – Belleville, WI – a blogger, editor and dairy farmer from American’s Dairyland!

Karen Bohnert – East Moline, IL – a very talented writer, Mom and Jersey lover from my state!

Lisa Myers – Hamstead, MD – one of my best friends that moved back home to run their dairy!

Rebecca Schlehlein – Platteville, WI – a dedicated farm employee that loves her Brown Swiss!

Heather Moore – Maquoketa, IA – Special Events Coordinator turned Dairy Farmer!

Katie Dotterer-Pyle – Union Bridge, MD – Spanish teacher and dairy farmer that makes sure her cows enjoy their stay!

Brent Pollard – Rockford, IL – an innovative dairy farmer who loves to tinker with things.

Krista Stauffer – Washington – a 1st generation dairy farmer and very talented AGvogate for the dairy industry!

Diane Loew – Byron, MI – a writer, blogger and dairy farmer from Michigan!

Nicole Fletcher – Southampton, MA – a Cabot Creamery dairy that milks Holsteins & Jersey’s!

Elinor Opitz – Maple Lake, MN – a young lady just starting her Ayrshire dairy!

Alise Sjostrom – Brooten, MN – one of the readheads behind Redhead Creamery!

Tara McIntosh – Ontario, Canada – our only dairy farmer featured from Canada!

Jenna Kilgus – Fairbury, IL – a Jersey dairy farmer that bottles their own homogenized milk!

Will Gilmer – Sulligent, AL – our only dairy farmer from the “south”!

Gene Zimmerman – Colby, WI – our only dairy goat farmer featured this month!

Darleen Moore-Sichley – Oregon – a Mom, AGvocate and Gurnsey dairy farmer!

Michelle Eilenstine – Mountain Grove, MO – a dairy farmer & University of Missouri grad!

Jenni Tilton-Flood – Clinton, Maine – a Cabot Creamery dairy that milks 3400 Holsteins!

Kalli Ehrhardt – Baldwin, MD – A Mom and dairy farmer!

Craig Swenson – River Fall, WI – a dairy farmer who loves his red & whites!

Katie Harris – Washington – a mom & dairy farmer from Western Washington!

Annaliese Wegner – Ettrick, WI – the Modern-day Farm Chick!

Morgan Kliebenstein – Darlington, WI – a dairy farmer, Genex employee, Mom & wife!

Matt & Joe Engel – Hampshire, IL – the brother behind Luck-E Holsteins!

Stephanie Aves – Popular Grove, IL – a dairy farmer & agriculture teacher!

Beverly Donovan – Benton, Maine – a dairy farmer & accountant!

Sadie Frericks – Melrose, MN – a dedicated AGvocate, dairy farmer, mom & wife!

Greg Schulte – Darlington, WI – the cheesemaker at Brunkow Cheese!

Katie Deslippe – St Mary Ontario – a young lady that loves everything about dairy!

Carrie Mess – Lake Mills, WI – the well-known AGvocate Dairy Carrie!

For a listing of all the 30 Days Bloggers that Holly Spangler rounded up, visit here.

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