How We Got Here: New Dairy Stream podcast series featuring dairy farmers

Diving deep into farm history, challenges and agricultural advancements

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Dairy Stream, an agricultural-focused podcast co-hosted by Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative and the Dairy Business Association, proudly presents the “How We Got Here” podcast series. This three-part series, sponsored by BMO, features dairy farmers sharing the history of their farms and the steps they've taken to get to where they are today.

Podcast host Joanna Guza explores the stories of innovative farmers, highlighting their challenges, improvements, financial preparations and the future of farming and the industry. Each episode features a dairy farmer and a representative from BMO who has experience in agricultural banking.

“This series is unique as each farm reflected or focused on a different area, whether that was milk price challenges or put an emphasis on employee training,” Guza said. “It's fascinating to learn about the influences and steps that have shaped these farmers into who they are today and how their farm operates.”

Episodes in the How We Got Here series include:

• Norm E Lane in Chili, Wisconsin: The first episode in this series features Josh Meissner, owner of Norm E Lane. Meissner’s farm milks 4,000 cows and manages 5,000 acres. He’s accompanied by Brad Guse of BMO who has 29 years of experience in agricultural banking. Listen to the episode here.
• Solhawk Dairy in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin: In this episode, meet Dennis Hawkins, owner of Solhawk Dairy. Hawkin’s farm milks 2,200 cows and farms 3,100 acres. He’s joined by Paul Salm of BMO, who manages a portfolio of diverse production agricultural relationships with over 30 years of experience in the banking industry. Listen to the episode here.
• Verhasselt Farms in Kaukauna, Wisconsin: The final episode in the series features Ken Verhasselt, owner of Verhasselt Farms where they milk 4,000 cows and manage 5,000 acres. Verhasselt is joined by Don Adams of BMO who has just shy of 40 years of experience in the banking industry. Listen to the full episode when it’s released on December 11.

To learn more and listen to the Dairy Stream podcast, visit https://www.dairyforward.com/page/dairystream.

Photos:

DBA logo

Edge logo

Dairy Stream logo

About DBA:

The Dairy Business Association is Wisconsin’s leading dairy advocacy group, championing smart and sensible regulations affecting the dairy community. The nonprofit organization is comprised of farmers, milk processors, vendors and other business partners who work collaboratively to ensure that dairy farms of all sizes have the support they need to keep America’s Dairyland strong. More information: www.dairyforward.com.

About Edge:

Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative provides dairy farmers throughout the Midwest with a powerful voice — the voice of milk — in Congress, with customers and within their communities. Edge, based in Green Bay, Wis., is one of the top cooperatives in the country based on milk volume. Member farms are located in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.voiceofmilk.com.

About Dairy Stream:

Dairy Stream focuses on policy, sustainability, market trends, new technology and farmer involvement. This podcast is co-produced by the Dairy Business Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, organizations that fight for effective dairy policy in Wisconsin and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.dairyforward.com/page/dairystream.