BRODHEAD — The food, the fun, the unabashed celebration of the ag and dairy industries — it all was there for the 46th annual Breakfast on the Farm event Saturday at Pinnacle Dairy, N4201 Decatur Sylvester Road.
But while the setting — that of a big mutli-state dairy operation, as opposed to a big, family-owned one — was new to the crowd, the celebration was all the same. The annual soundtrack of polka favorites rang out as hundreds dined, danced and toured the facilities. And not everyone saw the venue change this year as a negative — or even controversial.
“It’s very important that the public comes out to see” how the dairy industry is evolving, said Madeline Kuhn of Monroe, who strolled the grounds with her friend Nick Brummel, a smiling young girl in tow.
“People do have to be realistic,” said Brummel, who agreed that farms in the region might have to grow, to compete in today’s market. “For some people, change is very hard.”
Pinnacle Dairy opened here in 2018, milking about 5,400 cows. That produces 56,000 gallons of fresh milk daily that is trucked directly into local cheese production. By contrast, the average dairy farm in the state is still just under 250; and Green County’s average mostly reflects that number.
Another thing that never changes about the event is the delicious menu — scrambled eggs, sausage, cheese, homemade coffee cake, milk, coffee, orange juice, and ice cream — and they lined up for it starting early in the morning. The serving lines reportedly moved smoothly, though, so the only hassle was the usual flying insect or burst of wind.
The start-time was near daybreak on Saturday and shortly after shuttle-bus service began to circulate volunteers and attendees alike to the farm, where this year there was no on-site parking.
Still, there air was cool and dry and there existed plenty of parking on nearby roads, if attendees didn’t mind a walk of a half-mile at worst. For State Sen. Howard Marklein, strolling the grounds, the annual Green County Breakfast is among several he attends, or volunteers for, every year.
“The breakfast and agriculture are just a really important part of my district and Green County,” said the Republican from Spring Green.
Green County Ag Chest and others who put the event together and staff it each year, had not released any attendance numbers by Monday’s deadline, but seemed heartened by Saturday’s turnout.
“We are so grateful for the incredible-support behind this year’s Green County Breakfast on The Farm,” said a post-event post on the event’s social media channel. “Events like this don’t happen without the generosity, partnership, and community spirit of our amazing sponsors…your commitment to agriculture and our local community truly makes a difference.”
