Share this
by Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative on Jun 12, 2026 1:37:51 PM
Many dairy farmers know that growing a dairy farm requires more than adding new barns and cows; it requires an extensive amount of paperwork, testing and deadlines. That’s why when Norm E Lane owners Josh and Emmett Meissner heard about the Maestro program, they were among the first to sign up.
Norm E Lane is a fourth-generation, family-owned dairy farm in Chili, Wis. The Meissners have been farming in the area since the farm was first established in 1946. Today, Josh and his son Emmett milk 4,000 cows and manage 7,000 acres of cropland.
Over the years, the farm has undergone several expansions and, about two years ago, acquired a second site. With many moving parts and responsibilities, Josh wanted to streamline the WPDES permitting process and ensure that all necessary compliance requirements were consistently met.
“I wanted to find a way to improve communication between all the stakeholders working together, from nutrient management planners to engineers,” Josh said. “Tim (Baumgartner) has been excellent at communicating with other stakeholders and us. He coordinates a monthly call with those who need to be involved and helps keep us on track so that nothing gets missed.”
Tim Baumgartner, chief financial and regulatory officer, leads Edge’s Maestro permitting program, a first-of-its-kind program designed to assist farmers through the complexities of obtaining and maintaining a WPDES permit.
“Tim helps make sure we’re meeting deadlines for things within our permit that need to be accomplished throughout the year,” he said. “Having someone in our corner who keeps track of all the moving pieces provides me with peace of mind.”
The farm doesn’t currently have any plans to expand; however, they now have all the right people in place to help make that happen if an opportunity arises in the future, Josh says.
“I definitely recommend the Maestro program to any farmer who might be looking to simplify, take things off their plate and have the assurance that everything is being handled,” Josh said. “With regulatory and environmental regulations frequently changing, having someone who stays informed and supports us is invaluable.”