Future Farmers Help Feed the Communities

Burnett Dairy Cooperative is a proud sponsor of several local County Fairs.  Established by dairy farmers in 1896, the farmer-owned Co-op continues to reinforce its commitment to both the agricultural industry and the local community by supporting the work of current and future farmers.  

"County Fairs are not just about ribbons and prizes; they're about building a strong foundation for the future of agriculture and the dairy industry,” stated Matt Winsand, CEO of Burnett Dairy Cooperative. “These events provide a sense of belonging, develop vital skills, and instill a passion for responsible farming."

In addition to collecting the milk that accumulates at the fairs and donating string cheese to hand out during the dairy shows, a Burnett Dairy representative attends the fairs to bid on auction animals. It was decided if any animals were won by the Cooperative, they would be processed and donated to food pantries in the local communities.

Mallory Miller attended the Washburn County Fair Auction and won a steer from Lane Albee, the meat will be donated to the Washburn County Food Pantry and Frederic Pathways Food Pantry. Justin Taylor attended the Polk County Fair Auction, winning a hog from Trigger Dodds and another hog from Rose Wood. The meat from these two animals went to Feed My Neighbor Community Food Pantry in Centuria and the Grantsburg Area Food Shelf. 

Taylor also attended the St. Croix County Fair, winning a hog from Amara Booth. The meat from this hog went to Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Baldwin, which provides free meals and groceries for families. Kavee Hangero attended the Dunn County Fair and Denise Nelson attended the Barron County Fair, unfortunately, no animals were secured at either of these fairs.

“The work that is being done by these youngsters is so important,” said Mallory Miller, VP of Feed and Grain, “If any of these future farmers are from your community, please thank them for their hard work and dedication. It’s important that they know they helped their communities.”

As County Fairs continue to foster a sense of community and provide an educational playground for young farmers, their significance in shaping the future of agriculture remains paramount. Burnett Dairy Cooperative would like to thank all the future farmers for inviting the Co-op to the fairs and plan to attend them again next year.