MONROE - The Southwestern Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association recently awarded their sixth annual $2,000 Young Dairy Producer Educational Scholarship to Matt Minder of Minder Farms, Browntown.
The purpose of the scholarship is to encourage young dairy producers to pursue educational opportunities that will allow them to continue in the dairy business.
"SWCMA wants to promote the continuation of the family farm, and by awarding this scholarship to a young dairy producer, we hope to contribute to carrying on this tradition," Steve Stettler of Decatur Dairy of Brodhead and president of SWCMA said.
Minder, a recent graduate of Monroe High School in Monroe, will use the scholarship money to attend the Farm and Industry Short Course at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and pursue a certification in dairy herd management.
Matt plans to complete the two-year program and then return to the family farm. They milk 80 cows, and Matt has a future goal of operating a 300-cow herd with a free stall barn and milking parlor. Matt works with their farm's dairy nutritionist to produce high quality milk with good protein and butterfat composition.
Minder owns four Holstein cows and three Holstein heifers. Matt has enjoyed working on their family dairy farm since he was quite young.
The Minders are members of the Chalet Cheese Cooperative, and their milk goes to the Chalet Cheese plant in Monroe.
Minder has been showing dairy cattle for the last 10 years, both at the local and state fairs. He will be bringing one of his Holsteins to this year's Wisconsin State Fair in August. Minder has also been on various dairy judging teams. During high school, Minder was actively involved in FFA and held the position of chapter vice-president.
The purpose of the scholarship is to encourage young dairy producers to pursue educational opportunities that will allow them to continue in the dairy business.
"SWCMA wants to promote the continuation of the family farm, and by awarding this scholarship to a young dairy producer, we hope to contribute to carrying on this tradition," Steve Stettler of Decatur Dairy of Brodhead and president of SWCMA said.
Minder, a recent graduate of Monroe High School in Monroe, will use the scholarship money to attend the Farm and Industry Short Course at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and pursue a certification in dairy herd management.
Matt plans to complete the two-year program and then return to the family farm. They milk 80 cows, and Matt has a future goal of operating a 300-cow herd with a free stall barn and milking parlor. Matt works with their farm's dairy nutritionist to produce high quality milk with good protein and butterfat composition.
Minder owns four Holstein cows and three Holstein heifers. Matt has enjoyed working on their family dairy farm since he was quite young.
The Minders are members of the Chalet Cheese Cooperative, and their milk goes to the Chalet Cheese plant in Monroe.
Minder has been showing dairy cattle for the last 10 years, both at the local and state fairs. He will be bringing one of his Holsteins to this year's Wisconsin State Fair in August. Minder has also been on various dairy judging teams. During high school, Minder was actively involved in FFA and held the position of chapter vice-president.
