On Saturday Jan. 27, the 65th Annual Wisconsin Outstanding Young Farmer Awards Ceremony was held in Watertown. Many were honored during the even but it was Andy Fisher a dairy farmer from Manitowoc County who walked away the 2018 Wisconsin Outstanding Young Farmer.
“I am very honored to have been nominated by my county extension agent Scott Gunderson and even more honored to win the award,” said Andy Fisher.
Fisher, grew up on his family’s dairy farm, developing a great work ethic and learning from his dad and brother. Although he didn’t have the opportunity to take over his family’s farm, he continued to learn about farming while working during high school on a relative’s farm.
Andy decided to continue his education by attending the UW-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course. After attending Short Course he worked part time on their family farm while working full time as an automotive technician/service manager at a local cooperative. Then at the age of 25 Fisher, his ex-wife and former in-laws formed a partnership in Riverside Dairy, LLC. Tom and Jean Tienor remain silent partners in the business he has continued.
Fisher’s currently crops 600 acres to raise feed for his 400-cow dairy herd and young stock. Given the farm’s close proximity to the Manitowoc River, he is extra vigilant in controlling soil erosion and run-off. Andy works with his agronomist to follow the farm’s nutrient management plan. In a recent interview with Farm Assistant Jenna Lee, when asked about the efforts he puts into sustainability on the farm, Fisher said,
“Its important now a days for farmers to be transparent and to work with you local county agents, and agronomists to try to use sustainable practices as much as you can.”
On the cow side Andy is continually striving to improve pregnancy rates and health within the herd. Last June, the Riverside Dairy herd reached 103 pounds per cow without rBsT and in November 2017 the farm was recognized by the dairy Cattle Reproduction Council with a gold rating for reproductive efficiency, fertility and well-implemented management procedures.
His long term goals include reducing debt by making wise financial decisions so he is financially in a position to purchase more land when it becomes available. Fisher also strives to be a good father to his sons Cole, 13 and Austin, 11 in school and sports.
During the award ceremony Fisher was surrounded by family including his 99-year-old Grandmother Orabelle Fisher. Orabelle and her late husband Lawrence were the first recipients of the Wisconsin Outstanding Young Farmer Award in 1952. Orabelle beamed with pride as her grandson was too honored with the award.
Also recognized during the Wisconsin Outstanding Young Farmer award ceremony were Justin and Darci Daniels. Justin and Darci, were selected as the 2018 Wisconsin Outstanding Young Farmer Runner-up candidates, and winners of the “Speak up for Ag” award, sponsored by The Country Today. The Daniels’ are dairy farmers in Jackson County where they live with their two small children.
There were two other candidates that were nominated and participated in the Outstanding Young Farmer award weekend and honored during the ceremony. The candidates included Justin and Kotti Hintz from Waupaca County, and Michael Prochnow of Dunn County.
Back Row (Left to Right): Kotti Hintz, Justin Hintz, Michael Prochnow
Front Row (Left to Right): Justin Daniels, Darci Daniels, Andy Fisher
Since Fisher was selected as the 2018 Wisconsin Outstanding Young Farmer he will now apply to compete in the national Outstanding Young Farmer competition in 2019.
The Outstanding Young Farmer award is based 50 percent on progress in ag career, 25 percent soil and water conservation and 25 percent contributions to community, state or nation. These aspects of an outstanding farmer all contribute to the goals of the program which are to foster better urban-rural relations through the understanding of farmers’ challenges, as well as the appreciation of their contributions and achievements; to bring about a greater interest in farmers/ranchers; and to help build an urban awareness of the farmers’ importance and impact on America’s economy.
For more information in the Wisconsin Outstanding Young Farmer program visit, http://www.wi-oyf.org/
