5 Minutes with Manitowoc County’s Levi Bratt

Tell us a little about yourself.

My wife Michelle and I have two children, Logan and Caroline. I work for Holsum Dairies, a multi-site dairy farm with more than 8,000 cows. My responsibilities include equipment operation, lead our manure dragline application crew as well as general maintenance. Michelle works for CNH at the Saint Nazianz location as a continuous improvement specialist. We met at the UW-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course. We’re longtime members of the Manitowoc Culver’s Futurity committee. Logan shows cattle from a local farm as part of his 4-H project and plays hockey, which has become a family hobby. 

What do you enjoy most about your career in agriculture? Why?

I enjoy my career in agriculture because I play a role in making food available for all.

What is one agriculture experience that has defined you and why?    

One experience that has defined me was leaving my career in artificial insemination after ten years and stepping into a position outside of working with cows and going into a more mechanical or equipment related job. I remember the first Christmas card I received from the farm manager at the time had a message written in it; “One of the hallmarks of a talented person is their ability to step outside their comfort zone and excel.” That message has stuck with me ever since.

What is a Farm Bureau experience that you are most proud of and why?

To date, I think the experience I am most
proud of was simply saying “yes” when I
was asked if I would be interested in joining the Manitowoc County board of directors. That experience allowed me to become an alternate delegate one year at the WFBF Annual Meeting and being able to step in for a delegate that year. Since then, I have been a delegate each year and also elected vice president of our county board.

What are some of the challenges you face in your career in agriculture and how do you handle them?

Currently, I think the biggest challenges I face are those that come with handling liquid manure. There’s always going to be the various perceptions people have around what we are doing when we’re applying to fields. People are interested in things like following setbacks, over applying, field run off and road damage.

We have had people stop to watch as we are working, I will typically try to talk to them and try to find out if they have concerns or questions about what we are up to. I find that if you’re friendly and cordial right away it almost always goes very smooth. I have no problem letting people watch us work, I’m very confident that my team of people are doing things properly when it comes to applications. We do an annual applicator training so we’re up to date on any rule changes. We also stay within prescribed application rates and out of areas where manure is restricted. 

Why are you proud to be a Farm Bureau member? 

I am proud to be a Farm Bureau member because of what the organization stands for and what they accomplish with their influence at all levels of government. Also, because of the ability Farm Bureau has to support rural programs like 4-H, FFA and other educational opportunities in regards to agriculture.

---

This article originally appeared in the 2025 December | 2026 January Rural Route issue.