Plans for a second picnic are underway, as Young Cooperators Bryanna and Dylan Handel are set to host the second FarmFirst summer picnic on their farm in Barneveld, Wis. on Tuesday, August 22.
As a family-friendly event, this picnic is intended to bring dairy farmer members together, for a chance to socialize and network. The event will focus on bringing young dairy farmers together, ensuring that they are connected with other farmers and industry resources to ensure they have the right tools moving into the future.
Bryanna Handel, host of the picnic and owner of B. Kurt Dairy along with her husband Dylan, is excited to welcome area farmers to her homestead.
“We’re very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish as a young dairy farm family, purchasing our own farm and building up our Jersey herd. We look forward to what the future holds and believe as cooperative members that we are a voice for making that future bright,” says Bryanna Handel.
Attendees to B. Kurt Dairy will have a chance to learn more about how Bryanna’s attention to detail keeps her cows cool and comfortable and what she does to keep her focus on components for her Jersey herd. They also pasture-graze their herd seven months out of the year. Guests will have a chance to tour the farm, and there will also be outdoor games for kids.
The picnic will also include a brief presentation by Brenda Murphy, Director of Producer Communications and Programs at the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB), as she will share the latest on industry data and campaigns for what WMMB has done in dairy promotion.
“Dairy farmers wear many hats and are constantly considering new ways to improve how they do things on their farm. When it comes to learning from others, we hope that these types of events help build the network of resources that help dairy farmers accomplish their goals. On top of that, we also believe in the benefit of making new dairy farmer friends, near and far,” says Julie Sweney, Director of Communications at FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative.
Another intention of the picnic is to gather more interest and awareness about the Young Cooperator Program available at the FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative. FarmFirst Young Cooperators are defined as producers between the ages of 18 and 50, interested in getting more involved in the cooperative and industry through educational, social and leadership events.
Lunch is provided by the cooperative; RSVP is encouraged to ensure an accurate meal count. Interested members should contact Julie Sweney at 608-286-1909, and to follow FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative on Facebook for more information leading up to the event.
The FarmFirst Young Cooperator program has hosted two picnics so far, including the first-ever picnic being held last year in Pittsville, Wis. by Steph and Alan Hughes. For more information on FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative events, please visit www.FarmFirstDairyCooperative.com.
FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative was established in 2013 and is based in Madison, Wis. The cooperative represents farms in Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana through policy bargaining, dairy marketing services, laboratory testing opportunities and industry promotion.
