Grant County Dairy Breakfast on the farm once again Sunday, June 11

By Rachel Mergen

The Lancaster FFA Alumni are changing their Grant County Dairy Breakfast tradition this year. They are moving it from the Lancaster fairgrounds, where the breakfast has occurred for over a decade, to a Bagley farm. Todd and Julie Fischer and family will host this event, one which may begin the return of the on-farm tradition, on Sunday, June 11, from 7 a.m. to noon.

With two dairy operations, approximately 750 cows, 1,800 acres and four children, the Fischers could be defined as busy. Todd enjoys the work though, even declaring that it is what leads to fun and enjoyment in his daily life. After wanting to be a farmer since he was 2, he has been living out his dream career for the past 27 years. Accompanying him in his journey are Julie, his wife of 23 years, and their children Christine, Jessica, Marty and Zach. He is excited to be able to share with the community the work he and his family have done over the years, growing from only 17 cows to the success they have found today. 

Fischer believes having the dairy breakfast on a farm once again will help expand the minds of those attending. When speaking of what he hopes people will learn from the event, he said, “There is opportunity for everyone in the industry.” 

There are different jobs available in the dairy industry, and he can confirm they aren’t as bad as some may believe. He is also optimistic about the idea that attendees may see how well dairy cattle are treated, even on commercial dairy farms. He stated that, on his farm, “Everything is done around the cows.”

During the Grant County Dairy Breakfast June 11, Fischer will be busy socializing with the attendees and answering any questions they may have about the dairy industry. He hopes many people will attend and enjoy his family farm. 

To allow for the community to have the best experience possible, many events will occur that morning. One of them,  sure to interest all members of the family, will be milking, which will occur three hours later than usual for the farm, starting at 7 a.m. He welcomes attendees to come watch. 

The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board will also have a booth set up, along with Southwest Tech, the Grant County Farm Bureau and the West Grant Rescue Squad. In addition, there will also be free Grant Regional Health Center blood pressure checks. 

There will be children’s activities and machinery on display. WGLR Radio will also announce the 2017 Grant County Farm Family of the Year. The breakfast includes all-you-can-eat pancakes, ham and ice cream, along with many other dishes and beverages.

Tickets will be available at the event for a small cost. Fischer’s farm is located at 10690 Maine Rd. in Bagley. Shuttle buses to the farm will run every 15 minutes from River Ridge High School and Middle School and the Bloomington Fairgrounds.