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The Agnews with their award-winning cow Zsa Zsa: Tom and his wife Keely, Pat on the halter, Katie (sitting) and Phyllis.
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As if working 24/7, 365 days a year isn't enough for Wisconsin dairy farmers. Yet, many of them find time to serve their communities and agricultural organizations.
Owners and operators of a "traditional" Wisconsin dairy farm, Pat and Phyllis Agnew milk 55 cows, raise 60 head of young stock, crop 350 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat, oats and alfalfa, and operate a custom combining (harvesting) business. Thus, they're pretty tied to Mapleton Valley Farm.
Yet, this husband and wife team expresses their gratitude through local, state and national volunteerism. Pat spent more than a quarter century with the Stone Bank Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter and first responder. He clearly recalls the intense and brilliant flames he could see coming from his neighbor's barn and silos—nearly three decades ago. Unsure of how he could help, Pat simply jumped in his truck to see if he could lend a hand. The firefighters' professionalism amazed him, and he joined the fire department the following week. "I found myself in situations where I could save a building and sometimes save a life. I can't say enough about the folks who serve in emergency services. It's an awesome community effort that I will always cherish," says Pat Agnew.
With so few farmers in Waukesha County, Pat learned how important it is to have firefighters around during the day—when many local volunteer fire department members travel outside the area for their jobs.
"I really feel that serving as a volunteer is an investment in our future. Children learn from their parents, and that's why I believe volunteerism is so important."
~ Pat Agnew
The Agnews also volunteer their time working with area youth. As subdivisions have gobbled up a lot of Waukesha County farms, the Agnews have opened their barn doors to non-farm 4-H and FFA members wanting to learn more about the dairy industry and work with cattle. The Agnews' grown children—Katie and Tom—also lend a hand in mentoring and molding these young people.
"Having young kids around is a lot of fun! It makes the mundane and sometimes difficult job of training calves on the halter anything but mundane. The kids always fill the time with chatter and enjoy the feeling of great accomplishment after washing and clipping their project animals. All of this hard work is followed by fun at the county fair. We all win in the end," says Phyllis Agnew.
With a refrigerator full of 4-H and FFA members' pictures, the Agnews realize their involvement with these youth is worthwhile and appreciated. And then there are the Thank You notes. In late September, the Agnews host collegiate and 4-H dairy judging contestants from around the country—even a few from Canada—for a final practice session before they compete in their respective national contests, held in conjunction with World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis. "We receive such wonderful thank you notes from the various teams from around the country. I put them in a scrapbook and take them out on those 'not-so-great days.' I can't tell you what a lift they give to me," says Phyllis.
The pre-World Dairy Expo practice event also helps the Agnews create some family memories. This past year, Phyllis' 87-year-old mother, Sylvia Gerner, helped brown 50 pounds of ground meat for lunch. These youth and their coaches truly appreciated a home-cooked meal. Phyllis notes, "She (Phyllis’ mother) so enjoyed that—as did about 200 young people who received a warm sandwich on a cold, damp Wisconsin fall day. Our family gathers so much pride from entertaining these groups, exposing them to Milking Shorthorn cattle, and being able to give back for the many blessings we’ve received."
Pat and Phyllis also serve the dairy industry. Pat just finished two terms on the American Milking Shorthorn Society (AMSS) board of directors, including time as vice president and president. His other leadership roles include Wisconsin Purebred Dairy Cattle Association president, World Dairy Expo Dairy Cattle Exhibitor's Committee and Jefferson County Farmco (now known as Frontier FS) past president. Phyllis prepares the online newsletter "Tails & Trails" for the AMSS website. Plus, they own Mapleton Vly K Zsa Zsa, the "2010 Wisconsin Cow of the Year," as named by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.