I would like to introduce Katie Sattazahn a farm insurance agent from Womelsdorf, PA. Katie attributes growing up on a dairy farm for inspiring her love of agriculture. Today, her family still operates a dairy in Western PA and her husband’s family operates their dairy in Berks County, PA. Katie attended Penn State University. Currently her favorite hobby is the farm as she works as a farm insurance agent full-time, but trys to help on the farm as she can. Other interests include sports, gardening, learning new things, church, and enjoying family as much as possible.
Katie’s favorite dairy product is milk because it tastes great as is or can be made into so many other products. She loves lasagna and makes homemade ricotta—simply take a couple cups of fresh milk, boil for 5 minutes (making sure it doesn’t boil over!!), remove from the heat & add a couple tablespoons of lemon juice. Once it sits for a couple minutes, strain it & you have fresh ricotta.
Katie’s Story in her own words:
When did you start farming?
I’ve always farmed as I was blessed to be the farmer’s daughter. Growing up on the farm inspired my love for agriculture. I currently handle the financial management aspect along with some production aspects (although I have had to cut back since we started a family).
What do you want to share with others about the dairy industry?
I want consumers to know that the product we produce is what we drink at our kitchen table each night—that is how great of a product I think we produce.
What is the most rewarding part of being in the dairy industry? Challenging?
Farmers are awesome to work with—I understand what they need to insure because I am one. I know the passion that they put into their farms and I respect that, which is how I approach their insurance exposures—I know the farm means everything to them & I want to ensure they are properly covered should a claim occur. The most challenging is simply finding time for them to discuss their business, especially during planting and harvesting seasons.
What are 3 things you want consumers to know about the dairy industry?
- Farmers are not what are generally portrayed—a scruffy male in plaid and overalls with a pitchfork (with a red barn in the background) is not what most farmers look like. We are a diverse group and include very well educated group of people who wear many hats every day.
- We love our cows and we respect them. Cows are our number one priority. Our family depends on them—without healthy animals, we don’t have a way to keep farming.
- I would love for consumers to get to know their local farmers and visit farms so they know how farms are run.
What advice would you give someone interested in production agriculture?
If someone is interested in production agriculture, I would highly encourage them to find a mentor. Having a mentor as a resource can be a huge benefit and it’s always nice to have someone to bounce your ideas off of. Being patient is also key but you have to be actively pursuing your dream as well.
What do you envision the future of the dairy industry looking like?
I envision the future of the dairy industry as amazing. We are just at the beginning of becoming more resourceful, creating unique marketing campaigns to promote the perfect drink, and I hope to see a lot of young and enthusiastic people entering the industry.
Katie, thank you for sharing your story with us!
Did you enjoy this story, read the Entire Women in Dairy Series:
- Joanna Lidback of The Farm at Wheeler Mountain, VT
- Katie Boyke Grinstead of Vir-Clar Farm, WI
- Alicia Lamb of Oakfield Corners Dairy, NY
- Ysabel Jacobs of Ferme Jacobs, Canada
- Heidi Kovacs of Sugar Maple Jerseys, NJ
- Jolene Griffin, MI
- Melissa Woolpert of Country by Chance, VT
- Katie Sattazahn, PA
- Kim Bremmer of Ag Inspirations, WI
- Abigail Copenhaver of Farmstead Nutrition, NY
- Jodi Cast of JJC Jerseys, NE
- Amy Rowbottom of Crooked Farm Creamery, ME
- Britte Nooijens, Netherlands
- Julianne Holler, PA
- Cynthia Martel, VA
- Abby Swan of Kemridge Farm, WI
- Jamie Van De Walle, WI
- Joseta Halbur, WI
- Holly Smith, WI
- Jenny L. Baerwolf of Sassy Cow Creamery, WI
- Jenna Jongenotter, Canada
- Liz Neadow of Teacup Farm, NY
- Hannah Worden of Will-O-Crest Farm, NY
- Carla Wardin of Truth or Dairy, MI
- Amanda Freund of CowPots, CT
- Mandi Pacitti of Misty Brae Holsteins, Australia
- Jessica Chittenden Ziehm of Tiashoke Farm, NY
- Lisa Myers, MD
- Carissa Ann Tolzman, WI
- Danae Bauer of FarmGirl Photography, WI
- Ashley Kennedy of Messy Kennedy, MI
- Emily Lyons, Washington DC
- Joanna Rowher of Hollingstedt Schleswig Holstein, Germany
- Rita Mosset, ND
- Brianne Brown of Beslea Farms, Canada
- Pam Bolin, IA
- Janean Boss-Anderson, WI
- Jessica Peters of Spruce Row Farm, PA
- Amanda Williams, WI
- Trisha Boyce, PA
- Melissa Hanke, WI
- Tara Woyton, NY
- Melisa Konecky, NE
- Lizzie Frazier, NE
- Renee Norman-Kenny of Eat Farm Love, PA
- Amanda Killian of Dirt Road Holsteins, WI
- Kim Kester, WI
- Amy Ruegsegger, WI
- Alba Alvarez Nunez – Spain
- Emily Parker, WI
- Nicole Kearns, PA
- Cheyenne Ryzenga, MI
- Freynie Lancaster of Royalty Ridge, OR
- Maryanne Dudli, New Zealand
- Michelle, Keller, WI
- Ashley Abbott, VA
- Brenda Rudolph of Raising a Farm, MN
- Jennifer Heim, KS
- Janet Bremer of My Barn Yard View, MN
- Iris Barham Peeler, GA
- Laura Daniels of Heartwood Farms, WI
[…] Katie Sattazahn, PA […]