BROWNTOWN — On a sunny day at Minder Farms, dairy cows can be found lounging in the shaded sand in the barn, munching on feed and nudging into their caretakers as they roam about. 

The cows don activity monitors that work similar to the activity tracker Fitbit. Everything they do, including how long they eat, lie down and even chew their cud, is recorded and sent to a computer that’s checked by a member of the Minder family. 

The technology allows them to tune into the patterns and habits of their livestock to catch any sort of sickness early to keep the herd healthy. And their health is a priority because the cows have an important job: they provide milk to Chalet Cheese Cooperative to aid in making its award winning cheeses. 

Even after four decades of the Green County Breakfast on the Farm event, the Green County Ag Chest and this year’s hosts will bring a new twist of tastings and educational items to highlight the local farm, their milk and what it’s used to create. 

Dave and Kathy Minder, along with their three children, Matt, Austin and Molly, of Minder Family Farms will serve as this year’s hosts. Dave admits this was the year he finally agreed to host. 

“They’ve asked me more than once, it’s just that I gave in this time,” Dave said with a laugh. 

He said part of all of the behind the scenes work for the breakfast will be worth it as it provides a platform to help educate people on where food originates. It also helps to spread the word of the importance of farming and all the good that comes from positive, smaller family owned and operated farms.

Along with educating and entertaining with traditional fun, this year’s breakfast will take on some new events. Because the farm’s milk is used in award-winning brick, limburger and baby swiss from Chalet, there will be samples of cheeses, including the stinky limburger for only the bravest palates. Those who take a taste of the notoriously pungent cheese will receive a sticker to wear proudly as proof. There will also be shirts which read “You Want Limburger!” sold during the event to highlight the audacity of only those who can stomach the widely known cheese. 

“We’re proud to have our milk go (to Chalet),” Matt said. “You have to have good quality milk to have good quality cheese and healthy cows to have good quality milk.”

Part of this year’s event will also feature those famous cheeses alongside wine from Hawk’s Mill Winery, a country business that’s just two miles from the farm. 

Ric and Teresa Joranlien own the winery. Teresa said Minder Farms within view of the customers is a popular highlight of the business. Many enjoy watching the Minder’s heifers graze on the hill. One day patrons even took turns with binoculars to watch as a heifer birthed a newborn calf. 

“It’s nice because people can get out of town,” Teresa said, noting that even the hum of the tractor and machinery provides a special ambiance to the winery. “It’s peaceful.”

The business, located just across the way from the Minder farm on Pilz Road, will have not only a tent for wine tastings that pair with the cheeses, but will also have a setup at the education tent. Teresa said breakfast goers will have a chance to see the wine making process from start to finish, including some grape vines, a presentation on growing, harvest and winemaking. 

Wine tastings will feature a handful of the most popular wines from Hawk’s Mill. Although they aren’t able to sell wine at the event, the business will open early that day for those looking to stop in after the breakfast. 

“I’m sure we’ll see a lot of the same faces but we hope to see some new faces too,” Teresa said. “We encourage everyone to stop by and enjoy some wine on their way out.”

Farm history, details

Minder Family Farms began when the homestead was purchased by Dave’s grandfather in 1912 after he came to Green County from Switzerland. Now in its fourth generation of farming, the farm has always served as a dairy. 

Over the years, the Minders have made several improvements to the farm, including the addition of the 200 cow free stall barn and parlor to make the farming operation more labor efficient. The Century Farm now milks around 180 cows and Matt and Austin live in neighboring homes.

The home farm includes 276 acres, but with additional rented land, the family farms 400 acres with enough crop to help feed their animals. They raise all of their own heifers. 

Although milk prices have plummeted recently, the Minder Family is happy to see their milk used in local, award winning cheeses. They stay optimistic by being thankful for their niche and are hopeful things may turn around for other dairy farmers. 

“Just like any job – you have your good days and bad days,” Matt said. “We didn’t think it was going to get this rough.”

Matt, 29, said he stays positive when it comes to farming and the outlook it brings to many in the area. He completed the University of Wisconsin short course for agriculture. 

The two boys love working on the farm alongside their father, near the home where they were raised. After each of their graduations from Monroe High School, both planned to come back to work on the farm. Austin, 23, also loves the farm and being outside. His first purchase after graduation was a tractor.

“I’d rather work with cows than people,” Austin said with a smile.

Their younger sister, Molly, is studying ag business at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. She’s also currently interning at Chalet Cheese Cooperative. 

Kathy milked alongside Dave for 17 years until she eventually began working in Monroe. For the last 12 years, she has worked as a central scheduler at Monroe Clinic. 

The Green County Breakfast on the Farm 2019 will feature a farm breakfast, live music in the original milking barn by the Soggy Prairie Band, arts and crafts, educational displays, antique tractor display and wine and cheese pairings. The Fabulous Farm Babe Pam Jahnke will host a brief program in the original milking barn at 8:30 a.m. The Green County Agricultural Chest organizes the annual celebration with support from area businesses and individuals.