Story originally printed in the Vernon Broadcaster or online at www.vernonbroadcaster.com
Published - Thursday, July 03, 2008
Westby farm to host Twi-light Holstein event
Rob and Kari Anderson of rural Westby will be hosting the annual Vernon County Holstein Twi-light Meeting on Friday, July 11.
The Andersons reside on a century-old farm at S1415 Lovaas Ridge Rd. with their three children, 8-year-old Lucas, 6-year-old Karly and 14-month-old Link.
The Andersons purchased West Nook Farms 12 years ago from his parents, Loren and Gerry Anderson, who currently reside in the city of Westby. Rob’s grandparents, Lawrence and Helen Anderson, sponsored the county Holstein Twilight meeting 40 years ago, in 1968.
The Andersons are in the process of converting their 70-acre home farm to organic, with certification expected in 2009. The Andersons also rent 47 acres. They currently milk 26 Holstein cows and own 70 registered animals.
“We need to focus on the future with genetics,” Rob Anderson said. “We have no desire to go big. We like being small family farmers.”
At the meeting, a meal will be served at 7 p.m. The evening program includes reports from the Vernon County Junior Holstein Association and state and national representatives of the Holstein Association. The guest speaker for the evening will be Dave Kammel, UW-Extension ag engineer.
Wisconsin State Holstein Princess Shi Lurvey will attend and the Vernon-Crawford DHIA will present individual cow production awards and herd recognitions.
Visitors will be able to tour of the facilities and the public is invited to attend the dairy promotion event.
“You don’t have to be a farmer or raise Holstein cows to attend. We want everyone interested in farming to stop by,” Kari Anderson said.
All stories copyright 2006 Vernon Broadcaster and other attributed sources.