Brodhead 262422 • www.randrautosales.net Independent Register 608-934-5400 608•897•2193 SHOPPING NEWS W2620 State Rd. 11/81 •Juda, WI. 922 W. EXCHANGE STREET, BRODHEAD, WI 53520 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016 Auto Detailing Available Family farms saluted at Green County ‘Crossroads’ BY TONY ENDS CORRESPONDENT Nationally syndicated agri- cultural journalist Alan Guebert brought his signature mix of hu- mor, realism and hope to Turner Hall last week. Several hundred people turned out despite a cold drizzle to hear Guebert, four area farmers and Family Farm Defenders Director Tom Peck speak. Kris Marion Jen Riemer It was Green County Defend- ing our Farmland’s second annual “crossroads” event, and it pro- claimed a new trend in values, lo- cally and nationally. The trend they proclaimed lifted up the value of people over single-minded focus on commodity yields and profits. “People look at the rural com- munity and see units,” Guebert told the crowd, “rather than what it really is – a biotic community. We Paul Beach Dan Wegmueller are people, living breathing parts people going hungry. of a community. Reading from his 2015 book, “There is one constant in agri- “The Land of Milk and Uncle Hon- culture, and that is change. Twen- ey,” which he co-published with ty-five years ago, there was no his daughter Mary Grace Foxwell, TONY ENDS PHOTO Brodhead Independent-Register GMO seed. Fifty years ago, there Guebert spoke endearingly of the Alan Guebert and his daughter-editor Mary Grace Foxwell autograph their new book The Land of Milk was no anhydrous ammonia. The hard-working people who have and Uncle Honey at the second annual Green County Defending our Farmland meeting in Monroe last last four generations have seen made America’s farmland produc- Tuesday, Oct. 25. massive changes, revolutionary tive. area, rent up thousands of acres accomplishments in the time since. changes,” he said. “We’ve got to be creative. Industrialization of agricul- for manure-spreading land base Town boards have begun to We’ve got to hustle. We’ve got to Guebert, who grew up on a 720- ture has rendered successive gen- and buy up all available feed, it study, write and enact livestock fa- show that we’re pro-ag. My great- acre crop and 100-cow dairy farm erations of hired hands, sons and will destroy opportunities for local cility siting and manure-handling est dream is that we can continue in southern Illinois, challenged his daughters of farm families obso- family producers, he said. to have family farms on the land audience to consider the next set of ordinances to protect public health lete with ever-bigger, more effi- for generations.” changes in farming and their role “I’m basically a 500-acre hobby and safety thanks to GCDF. cient mechanization. Program participants last week in those changes. farmer,” Beach said. “It’s no lon- Green County has also put fund- “What’s never obsolete, how- received a four-point list of ac- “Big ag is praying for your de- ger enough to sustain a family pro- ing in its proposed annual budget ever, are the lessons these simple ducing hogs and grain.” for a comprehensive hydro geolog- tion steps to support the group’s mise, for your failing,” Guebert hard-working hired hands taught efforts. They were asked to voice warned. “They know they’re in Dan Wegmueller, who in recent ic mapping and study. Proponents us,” wrote Guebert, from a 1995 years successfully transitioned say the resource will help guide support for the proposed clean trouble with their customers. column in his new book, “They, water study to their county board “Big ag groups are spending transfer of his parents’ farm, re- livestock facility, development and more than my father, took the boys counted a different perspective on business location in ways that pro- supervisor before their budget vote millions of dollars every year to of the farm and made them into alternatives to conventional trends. tect water. in November. fight for the very things you’re men.” The 438-acre farm on Montgom- The group has successfully The public was invited to hear against – consolidation, dirty wa- Guebert’s book weaves together ery Road about 3 miles southeast mounted a petition drive and mo- conservation biologist Curt Me- ter, despoiled land, hollowed-out award-winning columns that share ine at Monroe Arts Center next farms and empty communities.” personal insights to an era in the of Monroe hosted Green County’s bilized hundreds of people to sup- Dairy Breakfast on the Farm about port water protection in Green Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. Yet Guebert, who’s been cover- Midwestern farm family’s his- To stay informed regarding ing farm issues for 30 years since tory. It is published and available 1½ years ago. County. Wegmueller considered expand- The Riemer family raises live- GCDF initiatives, they were asked graduating from the University of through the University of Illinois to join their list serve by contacting Illinois in 1980, believes industrial Press ( www.press.illinois.edu ) ing the family’s 60-cow herd but stock and sells meat on a farm listened instead to data showing Bryce’s grandfather started 90 [email protected]. agriculture’s failure is inevitable Four local and area farmers also Individuals can also make tax- and impending. spoke up for farmers and farming many smaller grass-based dairy years ago. herds are proving more profitable Wisconsin Farmers Union presi- deductible donations to GCDF on- He pointed to massive debt, people during the Green County at line at www.greencdf.org. ever-rising costs of production a Crossroads program. in Wisconsin. dent of the union’s south central and dispelling of myths associated Paul Beach, of Clarno Township, “It was clear that you never stop chapter, Kris Marion, also ad- with industrial-scale practices. recently elected to Green County chasing your tail,” Wegmueller dressed the gathering last week. Greatest of contemporary myths Board of Supervisors, voiced op- said, of producers who pursue vol- Marion shared a personal history REMINDER is that scale, genetically modified position to a Nebraska family’s ume production, scale and heavy of healing and growth since mov- Be sure to turn your seed and chemical agriculture are proposed siting of a fourth huge investment in herds, facilities, feed ing to Lafayette County 11 years needed to feed the world, he said. cow dairy operation near Brod- and waste management. ago and starting a vegetable crop clocks back one hour “Less than 3 percent of all our head. He cited recent reporting of and livestock business. this Sunday, Nov. 6. agricultural exports went to the “I certainly would like to see this large-scale operations that typical- She praised local farmers who 100 most malnourished countries,” 6,000-cow farm proposal denied,” ly lose as many as 20 to 30 percent helped and taught her. She urged he said, pointing to a study he re- Beach said. “The biggest problem of their calves. Of 40 calves born protection of the local countryside ported in his column last week. I see in the future is how we’re to his own herd most recently, We- and its quality of life. “Most of our exports went to the going to help the young farmer al- gmueller said, none was lost. “All the things we love here are best fed 16 or 17 countries.” ready here who has 250 cows and Bryce and Jen Riemer, who in peril,” Marion said. “You are If industrial-scale food systems has to expand.” helped start Green County Defend- taking care of open spaces for all truly fed the world, Guebert said, If bigger operations are allowed ing our Farmland in summer 2014, people; you are caretakers for their there would not be 60 to 80 million to site massive facilities in the shared an overview of the group’s water, food, air, soil. RIECHERS MEAT PROCESSING The Family of ON THE FARM SLAUGHTER Kathryn Schneider USTOM BUTCHERING would like to thank all their friends and family for the C - donations, cards, prayers and just kind words. We would also MEAT PROCESSING & PACKING like to thank Woods Crossing and Monroe Hospice and all their care for Kathryn. A special thanks to the Three F’s group for the wonderful VENISON PROCESSING - luncheon, to Pastor Krystal and the United Methodist Church for their ADAMS WHOLE DEER & TRIMMINGS prayers and support during this difficult time. We would like to thank Since 1941 Newcomer Funeral Home for their guidance and support also. • Roofing ETAIL MEAT & SAUSAGE R Duane • Siding Steve, Paula & family • Insulation 608-439-5339 Jayne & Steve Platts Robert & Christine Schneider 800-887-3385 261573 Open Mon.-Fri. 8am-4pm • Sat. 8am-noon Janesville, WI 61341 103 W. Center St. • South Wayne, WI 262022 Page 2 - November 2, 2016 / The Independent-Register Doves and Diamonds: Celebrate Hospice Gala coming up The Beloit Regional Hospice annual enjoy a delicious hors d’oeuvre buffet, a diamond necklace donated by long- Doves and Diamonds: Celebrate Hos- raffles, photo booth fun, and an excel- time Hospice supporter Vickie Hanson pice Gala has been scheduled for Sat- lent silent auction. New to the event and a custom-created ring designed and urday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. at the Eclipse this year is valet parking to make sure donated by The Gem Shop in Rockton. Center on Riverside Drive in Beloit. all guests stay warm! Reigning Miss Wisconsin, Courtney The smooth sounds of a harp, then jazz The evening will also feature a pro- Pelot will be in attendance to model the and classical music will start the eve- gram including a jewelry prize package jewelry prize package and perform her giveaway and the presentation of the award-winning dance routine.