Each year Kewaunee County Breakfast on the Farm is hosted by a different family farm – learn more about our 2017 host farm’s history!

You can find Wallace Dairy Farm, LLC on Facebook!

Wallace Family Dairy: Our Story

Paul Wallace, Jr. is a 4^th generation dairy farmer – born and raised on a dairy farm, he has always enjoyed working with cattle and being on the farm.

FAMILY FARM HISTORY   The original Wallace Homestead, located in Darboy, began in 1856. Paul’s father (Paul, Sr.), the 3^rd of 9 children, was raised there. After working 3-4 years out of high school, he then purchased a small dairy farm in Forest Junction (Brillion area) and operated it while working at the local paper mill. In 1978, when Paul, Jr. was 5 years old, the family relocated to the present-day farm.

Together Paul Jr., his father (Paul, Sr.), mother (Cathy), and sister (Kim) operated the dairy farm. With the closest relatives over an hour away, the family depended on one another, as well as on the relationships built with neighbors and local businesses to continue building the farm. Paul Jr.’s grandfather would travel to the farm to help when time permitted, especially during corn chopping season.

Paul, Jr. used his own money to purchase first registered Holstein for $1,200 when he was 14 years old. He used this animal to start building his herd of registered dairy cattle. To date, he still has 2 descendants of his first Holstein. While working for his parents, Paul helped focus on improving the genetic base of the herd by selecting specific production traits. Paul built his own cattle numbers while still working for his parents and helped increase the initial herd of 50 to the present-day 100.

Paul, Jr. made the initial purchase of cattle and equipment and took over full operation in early 2013. One of the biggest challenges, particularly after the change in ownership, is that Paul, Jr. and family live in Algoma, almost 10 miles from the farm itself. Not being on-site is challenging as they need to rely on his parents for assistance when animals are calving, or if heifers escape. Bad weather also factors in as the cows still need to be milked and fed twice a day regardless of road conditions.

As of early April 2017, the Paul, Jr. family is looking forward to living on-site – as they’ve closed on the house, barn, building, and some acreage. This nearly completes the 2^nd phase of the purchase plan. The family is now working hard to complete some renovations to make the farmhouse their own while Paul’s parents are working to complete their new home (north of the operation). Everyone hopes to be settled into their new homes by Fall of this year. While the farm has always been accessible to Paul, Jr. and family, being within steps versus 10 miles will make a big difference!

GROWTH & EDUCATION Paul, Jr. attended Lakeshore Technical College, earning a certificate in Dairy Herd Management. After completion, one of the requirements before he could return to his family’s farm was to work on another dairy for a minimum of one year. He worked for a then neighbor, Mike Pavich. While Paul always had an interest in genetics and breeding, it was here that he gained more knowledge and contacts which helped as he continued to build his herd. Eventually he applied the same ideas to his parents’ herd.

Working together, Paul, Sr. and Paul, Jr. complement one another, as Paul, Sr.’s strengths are crop and field work, while Paul, Jr.’s strengths are cattle. Together with his parents, Paul, Jr. has been able to grow the farm, build the genetic base of the herd, and find more cost-effective ways to operate the dairy.

THE FAMILY Paul, Jr.’s wife Corrina works as a special education aide for the Algoma School District. She has a degree in business and is taking additional coursework to obtain her elementary education licensure. The Wallace’s children attend Algoma High School. Aidan is a junior involved in band, football, basketball, and track. Emersyn is a freshman involved in band, volleyball, basketball and softball. The family are members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Algoma.

Over the last few years, the farm has been able to employ several hard working and reliable individuals to help keep the farm operating efficiently. Paul has confidence in these individuals which allows him more flexibility to attend family events and take occasional time off. Present employees include: Connor Buhr, Max Schoening, Jordan Schiesser, Casey Stangel, Matthew Bluett, and Casey Nelson.

Farming is a family affair. Paul’s dad remains involved on a nearly daily basis. Aidan is a regular fixture at the farm and Corrina and Emersyn contribute as well. Cathy can often be seen cutting lawn or supplying the guys with fresh baked goods. Additionally, Paul’s sister and some her children (Morgan, Bryce & Graham) still help from time to time along with Corrina’s parents Chuck and Jenny Hucek. Two of the dairy’s employees have been involved at the farm since they were little (nephew, Connor and family friend Max). The Wallace kids along with friends and family have shown dairy cattle at the Kewaunee County Fair throughout the years.

The Wallace family says, “we feel blessed to be able to share our farm with family, friends, and the community. The values, strong work ethic and life experiences gained on the farm are like no other. We are honored to be able to contribute to educating others about how dairy farmers contribute to the agriculture industry, support the local economy and give back to the community.”

~ Wallace Family Dairy

Hungry?  Volunteers Eat Free.

Come make memories with us, sign up to volunteer at Kewaunee County Breakfast on the Farm – enjoy a delicious dairy brunch, volunteers eat free!

We’re excited to share some fun farm facts about Wallace Dairy Farm – the family farm hosting our 2017 Kewaunee County Breakfast on the Farm, on June 11th, 2017!

HERD

100 Cows
   75 lb. Milk/Cow per Day
   Milking 2x per Day
   Fat – 3.9% Test
   Protein – 3.2% Test
   SCC – 150,000

CROPS

315 Acres (owned & rented)
Corn – 126 Acres
   61 grain
   65 silage
Barley – 40 Acres
Alfalfa – 146 Acres

EMPLOYEES

1 Full Time
5 Part Time

PROFESSIONALS

HERD VETERINARIAN

Dairyland Veterinary Service
   Dr. Bill Kaufmann
Advanced Veterinary Service
   Dr. Jeff McFarlane

NUTRITIONIST

CP Feeds
   Stephanie Nagel

HOOF TRIMMER

Dave Mleziva

MILK MARKETER

Arla Foods

MILK HAULER

Arla Foods

FEED MILL

Rio Creek Feed Mill
Cornette Farm Supply
Franks Feed Mill

Stay tuned for more info!  COMING SOON: our host family’s farm history.

Each year Kewaunee County Breakfast on the Farm is hosted by a different family farm – learn more about our 2016 host farm’s history!

Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy – family farm est. 1946

John grew up on the Pagel Family’s homestead farm purchased by his parents, Carl and Garnet, in 1946—80 acres, 8 cows, 6 pigs and a few chicken. Their 7 children, John being the youngest, were always involved in the farm work. Adopting the typical Wisconsin farm-family work ethic necessary to support their growing family, the farmstead’s land and animals that provided their livelihood. With their progressive dairy practices Carl gradually expanded the dairy to 380 acres and 65 milking cows before his retirement in 1980.

John purchased the Ponderosa Dairy from his parents in 1980, after attending the U.W.-Madison Farm Short Course Program where he was prepared to be a progressive dairy business man as well as a steward of their land and its environment. In 1985 the Ponderosa Dairy experienced a devastating barn fire, losing 48 cows and heifers plus the farmstead’s iconic red barn that had sheltered their dairy herd for 40 years. John rebuilt a larger, efficient “free-stall’ barn to hold 100 cows and a modern milking parlor.

In 2008 John’s family met—Jamie, John Jr., Bryan, Dustin and their spouses—and decided to work together to expand the Ponderosa Dairy business. Each member agreed to specialize in a segment of the farmstead’s management, production and maintenance, ensuring that their Wisconsin dairy remains a leader in progressive and responsible dairy farming in Wisconsin. In 2013 John added another new barn, specifically to house dry cows and a new maternity ward to complete Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy LLC on their homestead property, plus 3,000 calves and heifers on their Ponderosa Calf Ranch. In addition there are 2,300 heifers at Pagel’s Coleman Ponderosa.

Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy hosts more than 7,000 visitors annually who come to their farm to learn about modern, progressive dairying. John’s dream has always been to show consumers about where milk comes from, and to create and market products on the Pagel homestead. In 2014 John purchased Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese and in 2015 opened The Cannery Public Market in downtown Green Bay. Like John has always said, “From The Cow To The Countertop” which sums up his philosophy on just how fresh beef and dairy must be to truly own the title “farm-to-table.” Who knows what the future holds for the Pagel family but one thing is for sure, it will be done with the same passion as in years past.

~ Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy

Hungry?  Volunteers Eat Free.

Come make memories with us this Father’s Day (6/19/2016), sign up to volunteer at Kewaunee County Breakfast on the Farm – enjoy a delicious dairy brunch, then see cows being milked and cheese being made at Pagels Ponderosa Dairy!