Dairy Star

Dairy Star "All dairy, all the time."

For Jim and Janet Kappers, farming has always been more than milking cows and working the land. It’s been a way of life ...
09/11/2026

For Jim and Janet Kappers, farming has always been more than milking cows and working the land. It’s been a way of life centered on family, community and helping the next generation of dairy enthusiasts.

The Kappers were recently named 2026 Fillmore County Farm Family of the Year.

“This award came as a surprise,” Janet said. “We are very humbled to receive it.”

While the Kappers have spent decades caring for their own farm, they have also devoted much time to supporting dairy youth in Fillmore County.

Read the full story on DairyStar.com: https://dairystar.com/stories/a-legacy-built-on-cows,31270?

As a New York Times best-selling author, Michael Perry used lessons growing up on his family's dairy farm that have kept...
09/09/2026

As a New York Times best-selling author, Michael Perry used lessons growing up on his family's dairy farm that have kept him rooted throughout his life. He's written 25 books, writes and performs original music, sold pilot scripts in Hollywood and recently signed an option for a musical in New York City.

“I’m a farm kid at heart,” Perry said. “My whole path has been very accidental, but it ties into my farm background. I learned everything I needed to know about surviving as a self-employed writer from cleaning calf pens — you just keep shoveling until you get a pile so big, somebody has to notice.”

Read more about Michael Perry and his dairy upbringing on DairyStar.com: https://dairystar.com/stories/never-stand-behind-a-sneezing-cow,31304?

09/08/2026

When Sarah Fitzgerald was on the cusp of starting her career as a dairy farmer, her family had to sell their cows. It was a devastating time for the Fitzgeralds, and Sarah was left uncertain of her future. The senior in high school had to pivot from her original plan, but she eventually found her way. Now Fitzgerald is milking nine cows, selling raw milk and makes soap from her cows' milk as she operates Sarah Fitz Holsteins and Jerseys.

Read the full story now: https://dairystar.com/stories/fitzgerald-farm-reimagined,31303?

Listen to her story on our podcast, Dairy Delivery: creators.spotify.com/pod/show/dairy-delivery

Sander and Amy Penterman believe that part of dairy farming is advocating for the industry and teaching the consumer abo...
09/06/2026

Sander and Amy Penterman believe that part of dairy farming is advocating for the industry and teaching the consumer about a world they're becoming increasingly removed from.

To do that, the Pentermans hosted U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and Wisconsin 7th district congressional candidate at their farm on August 3.

Read about the event on DairyStar.com: https://dairystar.com/stories/a-good-day-advocating-for-dairy,31279?

09/05/2026

Steve and Jeff Schmitt do a little bit of it all. The two manage Windy HIll Dairy in Fort Atkinson, Iowa as the farm transitioned to the second generation. Along with farming together, the two also play in the Fort Atkinson Community Band, sitting near each other and playing the trumpet on Wednesday nights throughout the summer.

Listen to their interview about trumpets and transition on our podcast, Dairy Delivery: creators.spotify.com/pod/show/dairy-delivery

Read their story on DairyStar.com: https://dairystar.com/stories/sound-the-trumpets,31299

The DeBauches became certified organic dairy producers in 1995. Their quest to become certified went smoothly, as the Jo...
09/04/2026

The DeBauches became certified organic dairy producers in 1995. Their quest to become certified went smoothly, as the John and Mary DeBauch were farming with organic principles since the '80s.

“We kind of fell into it,” John said. “We were farming the organic way already in 1988. We always believed that was the way we should be farming, the inputs we were putting in our land. The biggest thing we got away from was the sprays.”

Read more about the DeBauches and their 30 years of organic dairy farming on DairyStar.com: https://dairystar.com/stories/reaping-the-benefits-of-organic-production,31296?

Sara and Paul Fischer wanted to be more involved in where their checkoff dollars go. Five years ago, they got involved w...
09/04/2026

Sara and Paul Fischer wanted to be more involved in where their checkoff dollars go. Five years ago, they got involved with the Clark County Dairy Promotions Committee, and are continuing to build up momentum for two events that have been mainstays at the fair for 30 years, the Saw Cow contest and the Little Britches show.

Read more about their dairy promotion efforts on DairyStar.com: https://dairystar.com/stories/promotion-education-a-bit-of-fun,31289?

09/03/2026

For 40 years, the Dittbenners have been serving up shakes at the Brown County Fair in Minnesota. But for Reynold and Vivian, it's been about more than that, it's been about seeing and connecting with other farmers in their community.

Listen to the full interview on our podcast, Dairy Delivery: creators.spotify.com/pod/show/dairy-delivery

Read the story on DairyStar.com: https://dairystar.com/stories/four-decades-of-serving-shakes,31272

Congratulations to Meg Stuedemann who was named the 2026 Minnesota Farmfest Woman Farmer of the Year! Stuedemann farms w...
09/02/2026

Congratulations to Meg Stuedemann who was named the 2026 Minnesota Farmfest Woman Farmer of the Year!

Stuedemann farms with her husband, Kevin, at their organic dairy, milking 60 crossbred cows. Meg moved from the city to the farm in 2006 and immediately immersed herself in the dairy farming lifestyle.

Read more of her award and her story on DairyStar.com: https://dairystar.com/stories/hooked-on-agriculture,31269?

Every other day after morning chores, Keith and Rhonda Rach start up their semis and hit the road. The two manage a 29-c...
09/01/2026

Every other day after morning chores, Keith and Rhonda Rach start up their semis and hit the road. The two manage a 29-cow organic dairy and haul milk twice a week.

"I won't give up the cows, and he won't give up the trucks," Rhonda said. "We get to do both. Each provides us our happy place, and we have a chance to do both together."

Read more about how they balance trucking and farming on DairyStar.com: https://dairystar.com/stories/rachs-keep-trucking-along,31276?

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