Remember to Vote: Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board Elections

Wednesday, May 2, 2007 8:27 PM CDT

Elections for the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB) will be held May 7-23. According to the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), nine nominees for the Board of Directors 2007 election have been certified. Here are the candidates and their representing districts:

District 3

Ed Jasurda

Phillips

Nominated for District 3, which includes Lincoln, Oneida, Price and Taylor counties, is Ed Jasurda of Phillips.

Jasurda and his wife Lori partner with Jon and Sherry Pesko in United Pride Dairy, LLC. Together they milk 775 cows and raise 620 heifers. The herd consists mainly of Holsteins with a few Guernseys and Jersey/Brown Swiss crossbreds. They also crop 1,500 acres of alfalfa, grass and corn.

After attending UW-Madison and Farm and Industry Short Course, Jasurda worked as a nutritionist and a classifier for the Guernsey Association. He then returned home to be the third generation to operate the farm.

A Foremost Farms USA producer, the farm has received several Excellent Milk Quality Awards from the cooperative as well as Progressive Genetic Herd Awards from Holstein USA. Last year, they hosted the 2006 Price County Dairy Breakfast.

Jasurda is also a member of Genex Cooperative, Northstar Cooperative, Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin, Dairy Business Association and Farm Bureau.

His reason for serving on the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board is: "Along with a livelihood, the dairy industry has provided me with many experiences, acquaintances, and satisfaction over the years. I would like to be able to contribute something back to our industry. Hopefully, if elected, I can represent our northern counties by guiding the research, promotion, and marketing of our milk."

Jasurda enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing sports, judging cattle and attending World Dairy Expo. He is also a member of Saint Therese Catholic Church.

He and his wife have two children, Evan, 15, and Mitchell, 13.

District 6

Patricia Boettcher

Bloomer

(Incumbent)

The incumbent Patricia Boettcher, Bloomer, is nominated for her fifth term to represent Chippewa and Eau Claire counties in District 6.

Her and her husband Herman operate their 110-cow dairy in partnership with their son Marc and his wife Diane. Milk from their Holstein and Brown Swiss cows is shipped to Foremost Farms USA. They own 322 acres and rent another 700.

Boettcher has received numerous award for her agricultural service including, North Country/WAXX Radio - AGGIE Award, 2003; Bloomer Chamber of Commerce - Farm Family of the Year, 2002; Chippewa County Kiwanis Ag Person of the Year, 1999; Wisconsin West Region Farm Family of the Year, 1996; and Bloomer Chapter/National FFA Distinguished Service Award.

She is involved in the state and county Farm Bureau and Farmers Union, represented Wisconsin for two terms on the National Dairy Board, served on the UW Heart of the Farm Advisory Council, is a member of Wisconsin Women for Agriculture, Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin, River Country Coop and AgSource.

Boettcher would like to continue her role on the WMMB Board because: "The producers of Chippewa and Eau Claire counties are professionals who take great pride in their dairies and in the industry of the state. It has been my privilege to serve them as their WMMB director for these past years. Much has been accomplished in positioning Wisconsin dairy products as the choice for quality by consumers across the country. WMMB regional marketing managers work with Wisconsin Cheese Companies to make certain that consumers ask for, look for and buy our cheese. Because of the Dairy Impact Program, residents in Wisconsin are increasingly aware of and acknowledge the importance of dairy to the economy of the state. The CowParade sponsored by WMMB drew millions of consumers from around the state, the country and the world to Madison and each cow relayed a special Wisconsin message about dairy, and at the same time raised a huge sum for the Children's Hospital and other charities including 4-H and FFA.

"There is much left to accomplish: extending Dairy Impact, expanding the producer communicator network, increasing the combined efforts between the Department of Tourism and WMMB, continuing to fund and increase Dairy Council efforts in all state schools. We cannot directly effect so many things as a board, but we can effect those and by doing so it will help our bottom line as producers.

"WMMB changes a little each year just as our operations change a little each year. It is your producer investment and I'm proud to have listened to you, visited with you and represented you. The ideas, thoughts and concerns you have expressed over the years formed by positions and I'll continue to represent each producer in this district with respect should you return me to the board."

In addition to their son Marc, the Boettchers have two other children, Eric and Paula.

District 9

Don Robaidek

Pulaski

District 9 Candidate Don Robaidek is the youngest of seven children and partners with his sisters Jean and Jane on their Pulaski family farm. He's looking to represent Menominee, Shawano and Waupaca counties on the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board.

Spruce Dairy Farms has 50 registered Holstein cows, along with their youngstock and registered breeding bulls. Their milk is shipped to Trega Foods.

They operate 286 acres, growing corn, oats, alfalfa and soybeans.

Robaidek is co-general leader of Angelica 4-H Club, where he's been a leader for 25 years. He is also a county, state and national member of the Holstein Association and a member of AgSource.

He'd like to serve on the board because: "I am interested in finding new and exciting ways to promote Wisconsin dairy products. I would like everyone to realize that Wisconsin has a very high quality line of dairy products that our dairy farmers produce. Also, I would like to see the board find more ways to keep our youth working on the dairy farms. One other goal would be to help find a way to get the producers a better price for their product by having a better marketing system in place."

Robaidek and his wife Donna have three children, Dustin, 19; Dana, 18; and Danielle, 10.

District 12

Ken Heiman

Marshfield

(Incumbent)

For District 12, Portage, Waushara and Wood counties, Ken Heiman of Marshfield is seeking another term.

He and his wife Joellen milk 165 Holstein cows and operate a corporation that bottles and sells milk and other dairy products through Weber's Farm Store, Inc. Additional milk is sold to Nasonville Dairy, where Heiman is a co-owner. They also farm 800 acres.

Their farm was named Small Business of the Year in 2006 and a Century Farm in 2005.

Heiman is a member of Central Wisconsin Cooperative, Dairy Business Association, Elk's Club, Eagle's Club, Fox Trackers and Our Lady of Peace Church. He serves as a director for M&I Bank and the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, as well as president of the Marshfield FFA Alumni.

"As a WMMB board member, I think it is very important that our farm families of District 12 know that they are getting their money's worth from every business. We must realize that WMMB is a business, and its job is to sell the consumer on the value of our products, to help with technology of new products, and to read and report what the consumer likes and dislikes are what they are looking for. As a voice of farmers throughout Wisconsin, WMMB must frontline questions asked by the media and get the facts to them quickly. I would hope to be a part of always improving the business part of the Wisconsin farms of District 12 and WMMB," he says of his intent to serve on the board.

The Heimans have three children, Shelly, Ryan and Josh.

District 15

Mary Cook

Wilton

(Incumbent)

A belief in the state's dairy industry is finding Mary Cook, Wilton, seeking another term on the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. She is the candidate for District 15 - Adams, Juneau and Monroe counties.

Cook and her husband, Ken, raise 190 Holstein and Brown Swiss cows and grow corn and alfalfa on 780 acres. Their son Alan partners with them in Ridge-Vu Dairy, which sells milk to Grassland.

The farm has received milk quality awards; DHIA milk, fat and protein awards; and the DHIA Proficiency Award. They've bred cattle that have been named Junior All-Americans and Supreme Champions. This year, the Cooks were named Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce Farm Family of the Year.

Cook is very involved with many community organizations and does a lot of volunteer work for both local and county organizations. She has served as president for both the Monroe County Dairy Promotions and Monroe County Dairy Association. She is on the Monroe County Dairy Breakfast Committee, Monroe County Farm Bureau and a 4-H dairy and general leader. The farm is a member of the Holstein Association, Brown Swiss Association, Manitowoc Milk Producer's Co-op, and Monroe County DHIA.

"As a dairy producer actively involved in our dairy operation each day, I'm seeking re-election to WMMB because I believe in our dairy industry and in the marketing and promotion of our dairy products. Our challenge as dairy producers and at WMMB is to increase per-capita consumption. To remain a strong and viable industry, we need to continue to communicate to our consumers that we are producing nutritious, safe, wholesome products and the need for dairy in our diets. We need to continue to market, promote, educate and fund research to help grow the demand for Wisconsin raw milk. Being a director on WMMB, I am personally involved with this," she says.

The cooks have three children: Tammy (Jeff) Larson, Michelle (Troy) Tiber and Alan (Chelsea) Cook, and six grandchildren.

District 18

Andrew Large

Port Washington

One of two candidates for District 18 - Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Washington and Waukesha counties - is Andrew Large, Port Washington.

Large and his wife, Kimberly, operate Mystic Meadows Dairy along with his parents. Predominately graziers, they have a semi-seasonal herd, milking 80 cows in the winter and 160 cows in the summer. They farm 330 acres, which is mostly pasture with small acreages of oats, corn for silage and alfalfa.

Andrew and Kimberly run the dairy with him coordinating the milking and her working on financials. His dad does machinery and facilities repair and his mom is the calf technician.

On their Century Farm, they milk a number of breeds - Holsteins, Holstein/Jersey cross, Holstein/Ayrshire cross, Holstein/Brown Swiss cross, Belgium Blue cross and Swedish Reds. They market to Baker Cheese.

Large is a member of Farm Bureau.

He'd like to serve on the board for a variety of reasons. Large says, "As a young producer, it will be interesting to help not only market our product, but to help market ourselves. Farmers need to market their knowledge and business sense to the public, as well as their product."

The Larges have one two-year-old daughter, Savanna.

James Stemper

Plymouth

(Incumbent)

The second candidate for District 18 is the incumbent James Stemper of Plymouth.

Stemper and his wife, Mary Ann, along with their children Helen, Tom and Ken operate their 425-cow Holstein Farm as a sole proprietorship.

They market their milk to Dairy Farmers of America and operate 1,200 acres.

In addition to serving on the WMMB, Stemper is a director of the Sheboygan County Farm Bureau and Milwaukee Cooperative Milk Producers.

Stemper says he'd like to serve on the board again because: "I have been involved in the dairy industry all of my life. Improving the future of dairying in Wisconsin has been and still is a primary goal of WMMB. Our efforts in the past have helped the dairy industry get to where it is today; however, there is still a lot to do in achieving our goal. Through WMMB's marketing, research and education efforts, consumption of dairy products will increase as a great variety of products will be available and appealing to consumers of all types. Products must be available and appealing to children, adolescents, adults and seniors, accounting for each individual's health."

District 21

Judy Wubbenhorst

Westby

(Incumbent)

Judy Wubbenhorst, Westby, is seeking another term on the board. She represents District 21 - Crawford and Vernon counties.

Wubbenhorst and her two sons, Grady and Gregg milk about 60 registered Holsteins in a tie-stall barn and crop 200 acres of corn and hay. They are Foremost Farms USA patrons.

She also owns and operates a tax preparation business, specializing in farm taxes.

The Wubbenhorsts were name 2006 Vernon County Coop Family of the Year and 1997 Friend of the Vernon County Fair.

Wubbenhorst is a director of the Vernon County Holstein Association, delegate for Foremost Farms USA, treasurer for Westby FFA Alumni, member of state and national Holstein Associations and the Vernon County Dairy Promotion Committee.

She'd like to serve on the board again because: "I enjoy educating our communities about milk and our products. As a dairy producer, promoting milk products is a very important part of every day. The public today has very few ties to the farm and less knowledge than ever about the process of production. I would like to help build this knowledge and correct any false ideas that exist.

"My general belief is that it does not matter if we produce milk conventionally or organically, we are all interested in producing a healthy, safe and nutritious end product."

Wubbenhorst's daughter Gail has started farming with her husband, Rob Klinkner.

District 24

Mark Christenson

Lake Mills

(Incumbent)

Representing District 24 - Dane and Jefferson counties - is incumbent Mark Christenson, Lake Mills.

Christenson and his wife, Dorothy, milk 60 Holstein cows and crop 200 acres. Their milk is shipped to Dean Foods.

His has served on the Jefferson County Leaders Board and was the 4-H Leaders Board president. He was also president of the Jefferson County DHIA Board and a member of the Jefferson County Dairy Leader Group.

He would like to serve on the WMMB board for three reasons. "The first is to insure the dairy producer programs continue for milk quality (Milk Money), the environment (Discovery Farms) and herd health. Secondly, I would like to see promotion focus on milk, butter, cheese and yogurt. At present, as a director, I fully support focusing on kids with milk and its nutritious value. The new look of the school milk program targets cold, easily opened plastic bottles, which kids love. The butter promotion has been effective in switching moms from margarine to butter. Cheese here in Wisconsin continues to gain popularity all over the world. Promoting our "Pride" in cheese making and the great results has increased cheese demand. The third and final reason I would like to serve on WMMB is to insure we continue to partner and leverage promotion dollars. The National Dairy Board and our local processors have programs we can share or enhance to make promotion dollars go further. These three reasons, I feel, will provide solid direction and the best return on our promotion dollar investment," Christenson says.

They have four sons Jason, Bret, Seth and Troy.

DATCP is forwarding mail-in ballots to dairy producers who live within the eight districts. Producers who have not received a ballot by May 11 should contact Noel Favia at 608-224-5140 or 800-942-2474. Election results will be announced in June.

WMMB Directors guide the organization's financial affairs, affirm its mission, develop and set WMMB policies, and serve on one of two standing committees - Cheese Business or Communications and Local Promotions. Directors spend an average of 200 hours per year on WMMB activities.

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