ELDORADO, Wis. — Saturday marked the first day of Dairy Month in America’s Dairyland.
Wisconsin generates more than two billion pounds of milk each month, according to Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.
Janet Clark helps run one of the many family-owned dairy farms keeping the Dairy State going. She said she’s been farming at Vision Aire Farms in Eldorado full-time since 2010.
Clark is part of the fifth generation of farmers in her family, and the second to focus on dairy farming. She now runs the farm with her husband and brother, with help from her kids, nieces and nephews.
“We’ve always had farming in our blood, taking care of our land and our animals,” Clark said.
Despite a long family history, she said she didn’t know initially if she wanted to be a farmer. After going to college for business, she realized she couldn’t stay away from the farm for long.
“Being able to have my children grow up with me while we’re caring for animals, I couldn’t ask for a better life,” Clark said. “It is just something that, when it’s in your blood, you know what you want to do.”
Clark said life as a dairy farmer doesn’t come without its challenges, but she said one of her favorite things about the job is the support she’s found from other farmers.
“When you’re in the dairy community, it is like having an extended family,” she said. “Whether there are happy things going on, or whether there’s a tragedy that happens within our community, your dairy farmer friends are always the first ones there.”
Clark said she also loves reaching out to those who aren’t as familiar with the dairy industry.
“Being able to have the time to have a conversation with a consumer, and share what my passion is, and why I care about these animals, and why I do what I do every day,” she said. “Those are the things that I wish we could be able to share more of.”
The milk produced at Vision Aire is made into cheese. Clark said she’s proud to make a product that will feed families near and far.
“I know that we have what is best for our land and for our cows at the heart of everything we do,” she said. “It really gives you a sense of belonging when you know that you’re putting food on the table for somebody that can’t do that for themselves.”
For more information on Dairy Month events across the state, click here.