Glenn & Mary Harder Organic Dairy Farm, W3042 Trout Ave., Rib Lake
Farm Operator Brandon Probst
Topic: Training the next generation of farmers
Hosted by: Taylor County LCD, Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Program, and Organic Valley Dairy Cooperative.
You are welcome to join us for a noon lunch sponsored by Organic Valley Dairy Cooperative
The Harders have ran a longtime grass based dairy operation. With grazing being a natural fit, the Harders had their farm certified to organic production 8 years ago. They currently sell their milk through Organic Valley Dairy Cooperative. A little over a decade ago, the Harders hired a neighborhood kid named Brandon Probst to help with part time chores on their farm. All through and after graduating from high school, Brandon continued to work for the Harders. After his high school graduation, Brandon enrolled in the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Program. Shortly after going through the 2 year DGA program, Brandon became the main operator of the farm. He currently handles the bulk of the workload and makes a lot of the daily decisions that need to be made on the farm. Brandon has certainly benefited from the mentoring, as well as the classes and other education offered through Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship.
The Harders have also benefited by employing Brandon, and becoming a master farm for the DGA Program. Nearing retirement, Glen has been able to ease his daily workload, while continuing to offer some mentoring and decision making advice. He still continues to work alongside of Brandon helping with the daily chores and tasks on the farm.
Join us for some good discussion about the management of this unique and successful dairy farm operation. We will also have a farm tour and pasture walk. There will be handouts with information about DGA as well as other grazing related materials.
Directions from Medford: Take Hwy 13 North of Medford 4-1/2 miles to Hwy M East. Go 3 miles to Wellington Lake Drive. Turn left onto Wellington and head north 3 miles to Trout Ave. Turn right onto Trout and head 2-1/2 miles East to the farm on the North side of the road. Or from the corner of Hwy 102 & CTH C (East of Rib Lake): Take Hwy C south 4 miles to Trout Ave. Turn right and head West 1-3/4 miles to the farm. Watch for signs!
For more information or questions contact: Grazing Specialist Bob Brandt at (715) 965-6771 or the Taylor County LCD at (715) 748-1469