MONROE — The Monroe Arts Center invites the public to the Green County premiere of ‘Dairyland’ at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27.
Directed by Taylor Pipes, this film takes audiences inside the dairy industry as it inches closer to extinction. Handed down from generation to generation, family dairy farms have been operating for well over 100 years. Over time the dairy industry has transitioned to corporate farms, and as a result family farms are feeling the brunt. This timely topic brings awareness to not only Wisconsin but to dairy farms across the Midwest and United States as well.
Born and raised in Elkhorn, director Taylor Pipes personally connected with this story. Before filming Dairyland, he created a thesis film titled Cheese Wars. This film captured the battle for cheese marketing between Wisconsin and California. Ten years later, he was inspired to create Dairyland after seeing the rapid change in livelihood in Wisconsin.
During his Dairyland journey, Pipes connected with Wisconsin natives Dan and Ashley Wegmueller. Dan and Ashley help present the accurate story of the fate of Wisconsin’s dairy industry. They are fourth-generation caretakers of Wegmueller Dairy, a grass-fed dairy farm nestled in the rolling hills of Green County. After facing the Ag Crisis in 2017 and 2018, they decided to find new ways to bring business to their farm. Pioneering the concept of dairy tourism, Ashley renovated an existing farmhouse on their property. This idea not only gave the farmhouse a new life, but it provided the opportunity for guests to experience an urban getaway located on their dairy farm. Since then, they have continued to add to this experience by providing horseback lessons and guided trail rides on their property. Not only has it given their farm another purpose, but it has also given guests the ability to learn more about the love and care they provide for their animals and the environment.
In addition to sharing stories from the Green County community, the award winning ‘Dairyland’ includes a combination of interviews, animations, and archival footage. ‘Dairyland’ is a ticketed event that will take place in the Gunderson Stiles Concert Hall at Monroe Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27. All proceeds benefit children’s programming at the Monroe Arts Center.
After the viewing, there will be a talk back with the Director, Taylor Pipes and Dan Wegmueller. Tickets are $15 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets online visit monroeartscenter.com or call 608-325-5700.