For Mary Lewandowski, the milking parlor of her family’s dairy farm wasn’t just a place of work. It was the setting of her childhood. Now, the sixth-generation farmer is sharing that world with the next generation through her debut children’s book, “Welcome to My Farm.”
Published through the Wisconsin Historical Society, the book grew from an FFA project and a lifelong passion for storytelling. Lewandowski was inspired by her mother’s encouragement to journal as a child and the “Little House on the Prairie” series. She sought to bridge the gap between rural production and the dinner table.
“I realized that there was a great need for dairy education in the classroom,” Lewandowski said. “We come from a rural area. So especially important to teach our children about where their food comes from.”
The book serves as a guided tour, featuring actual photographs of Lewandowski’s farm. It breaks down complex agricultural processes into a language interpretable to an elementary student. It was important to Lewandowski that the book features all aspects of the farm, including pipeline milk systems as well as cow nutrition and life cycle. She added personal components by featuring her farm dogs, Buffy and Buddy, along the way.
While Lewandowski and her brother, Alex, have since graduated college and moved into full-time careers, their connection to the land remains a priority. Whether returning home to bale hay or assisting with chores, the siblings are focused on the future of the family business.
“Most importantly, we just want to definitely preserve the family legacy and hopefully raise a seventh generation on the farm,” she said.
As the dairy industry continues to evolve, Lewandowski hopes her story will foster an appreciation for small family operations.
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