
The Wisconsin Outstanding Young Farmer program has announced Lindsay and Eric Baneck, as the 2025 Wisconsin Outstanding Young Farmers. This was during the 71st Annual Awards Weekend Jan. 17-18.
The Banecks
Lindsay Baneck did not always know she wanted to be a full-time farmer until her senior year in college. This happened when her parents asked her to consider joining them in their successful cash crop, beef and produce business at Helenville. Her parents started Maple Mound Farms after they graduated from college and growing up on that farm she helped feed calves, gather eggs from their chickens, clean pens and help with their produce business. She and her husband Eric own 80 acres of their own, using her parents’ equipment to run their land. Her husband Eric has his own business but he helps out on the farm with repair work and other tasks.
In 2019 Lindsay made the decision to step up to become the full-time manager of Jelli’s Market. She quickly assumed 100% of the management duties involved with the day-to-day operations. She oversees the planting and harvesting of their 40 acres of fresh produce, hires, trains and supervises 20 seasonal employees, and does most of the bookwork and finances for Jelli’s Market.
Jelli’s Market has always provided a good way to promote agriculture to the non-farming community. Although sharing her knowledge about agriculture has always been Lindsay’s interest. Every summer and fall the farm hosts hundreds of students. These are from summer camps, daycares, classrooms and youth organizations by providing farm tours. She believes when customers and youth interact with a farmer they develop trust and appreciation of farmers.
Additional winners
- Sam and Brittany Olson, Chetek, Wisconsin, were named the Speak Up for Ag Winners.
- Adam and Marie Vanden Wymelenberg, De Pere, Wisconsin, were named the First Runners Up.
- Kyle and Janessa Olson, Shiocton, Wisconsin, were named the Second Runners Up.
Other finalists
- Matthew Holub, Boyd, Wisconsin
- Patrick & Katie King, Edgar, Wisconsin
- Megan and Kyle Zeman, Luxemburg, Wisconsin
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