Family:
Husband, Steve; Children, Derek (23) and Kori (19)
Tell us about your farm:
Steve and I are the owners/operators of Trescher Town-View Dairy which is located three blocks from downtown Cashton. The predominantly dairy farm uses village water, sewer and electric. We milk about 70 cows consisting of grade Holsteins and registered Jerseys. We raise all the heifer calves, and the Jersey bull calves are fed out and sold privately for beef. Because of our kids’ 4-H projects, we have a small herd of beef and a small flock of sheep. A batch of feeder pigs is also fed out each summer. The grain and forage for the animals are raised on 180 acres of owned land in addition to some neighboring rented ground. We own both of Steve’s parents’ home farms. The one in town that houses the dairy, sheep and hogs will be a Century Farm in 2016 and the country farm was a Century Farm in 1983.
What’s the busiest time of day for you?
The busiest time of day for me depends on the time of year. During the winter, it is 6 to 10 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. (chore time). In the summer, similar hours are busy, but if we are chopping, the whole day may be busy because you can usually find me running the tractor and chopper.
How much time do you spend doing farm work compared to house work?
Farm work comes first because that’s where the paycheck comes from. So, I probably spend five times the hours doing farm work as I do house work.
What do you do in your free time and why?
Most of my free time is spent with family. Family is the most important thing I’ve got, so it is on the top of my priority list to take care of and spend time with such a treasured aspect of my life.
What’s the best thing about farming?
I can’t narrow this down to just one thing. Seeing new life on almost a daily basis (i.e. baby calves, lambs and kittens or new emerged crops) is one thing and being your own boss is another. If my husband and I want to just take in a movie, enjoy a special meal at some restaurant or spend time with one or both of the kids, we can!
When you look back on your life, what do you want to be remembered for?
I would like to be remembered as a hard-working mom, wife and farmer who still took time to make a difference in the agricultural world.
Do you have any ideas that could make farming easier for you and all farming women?
The most important thing is to participate at various events where you can compare notes with other farm women who are in the same boat as you. This is a farm woman’s “continued education.” Also, take time away from the farm – it’s the most refreshing thing you can do for yourself.
Original article appeared in Dairy Star newspaper. It was reprinted with permission in the April/May 2012 issue of Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s Rural Route.
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