February is a month of love. This month’s Leader of the Land is a celebration of the love and passion farmers share for their land and animals. It is fitting to share the story of two high school sweethearts whose passion and love for agriculture inspired them to get started and keeps Deer Creek Angus Farms running successfully.
Karen Kerner and her husband, Greg, are the third generation to farm their land in Philips, Wis. A neighbor and friend named Charlie recognized the passion in Karen and Greg early on and told the young couple while they were still in high school that he wanted them to take over his farm. The couple worked with the bachelor farmer to create a succession plan for them to purchase Charlie’s farm.
Karen and Greg started with seven Hereford cattle in the mid-90s. They have since grown to 100 Angus cow-calf pairs. They transitioned to Angus because of the greater return on black cattle versus red cattle.
The family worked with NRCS to establish pastures and paddocks for rotational grazing their Angus herd.
The pastures thrive in June and July. It is important to manage the grasses throughout the season to maximize the efficiency of the system. Cattle are rotated through the system to spread manure around the fields and pastures.
Animal care is a top priority at Deer Creek Angus Farm. Shelter is always available for the cattle to protect them from elements and wildlife threats.
On the other hand, wildlife is a challenge. Wolves are a threat to their cattle. Cranes damage corn at germination. Excess deer and turkey feces in the pastures carry pathogens that can make the animals sick. The pair works with the USDA and DNR to help manage the impact of wildlife on their farm through relocation and special hunting permits.
Deer Creek Angus Farm is named for Deer Creek which runs through the land. The family worked with NRCS to put fences and buffers around the creek to keep the cattle out of it.
Deer Creek Farm implements several conservation practices on their farm including crop rotation, no-till, dragging pastures, cover crops and moving cattle into the woods to graze. Cover crops help to provide more feed for their cattle throughout the year. The couple is always learning new things about manure and soil management to protect those resources and be more efficient.
“We have children that will be the fourth generation here on this farm. It is important to protect these resources and do what we can sustainably to manage soil and water resources properly,” shared Karen.
Wisconsin Farm Bureau has been an impactful networking tool for Karen and Greg. They say WFBF allows them to serve as a powerful voice in the community and at the state capitol.
They also belong to the North Central Cattleman’s Association, a group that regularly gathers for pasture walks and idea sharing. Working with other farmers and experts helps area farmers get better and achieve their goals.
The Wisconsin Beef Council has been an important resource for Deer Creek Angus Farms. The state beef check-off group provides resources to help Karen promote her products and share information with area schools.
Karen markets beef from their farm at a storefront on their farm and at local farmers markets. She enjoys teaching people about beef at the farmers market and considers it a successful day to share her story and help her customers learn more. She also works with youth in the community to help with 4-H projects.
“As a farmer, we are doing the best thing we can. We work very hard,” Karen said. “It is the life we choose, yes, but like we tell our kids – we have the most important job in the world because we feed the world.”
Karen is passionate about caring for the animals and loves sharing the high-quality products that they produce. She is proud to share her passion with her community and pass her legacy to her children someday.
Leaders of the Land® is Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s brand for sharing sustainability stories. Monthly profiles highlight farmers across Wisconsin working hard to meet their environmental, social and economic goals.
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