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Patrick and Jean O’Brien (left) and Thomas and Lyn O’Brien (right) farm in Fitchburg, Wis. Their goal is to build strong, lasting relationships between rural and urban communities.
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Fitchburg, Wis., became a city on April 26, 1983, after Madison's continued encroachment led to more and more development of the lush rolling fields around the town. Fitchburg roots for the O'Brien family can be traced back to 1899 when Cornelius O'Brien purchased 140 acres (which was known as Stoner's Prairie) in the Fitchburg area.
Today, the O'Brien brothers Tom (wife Lyn, daughter Kelly, three sons: Greg, Peter and Jeff) and Pat (wife Jean, son David) are fourth-generation dairy farmers, working hard to play an integral role in Fitchburg. For them, "Farming in the Burbs" provides several opportunities—and a few challenges.
Two Brothers — Their Roles
- Pat O'Brien – Co-owner/manager; financial records and bill paying; employee hiring, training and evaluation, relief milker, manure hauling
- Tom O'Brien – Co-owner/manager; works with the nutritionist and herdsperson to coordinate rations and the feeding program; back-up feeder; oversees all phases of crop production
Both brothers are involved in community activities. Pat serves as a Dane County Farm Bureau Board member and is Chairman of the County Dairy Promotion Committee. Tom serves on the Fitchburg Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee.
The O'Briens welcome invitations to educate their neighbors and community leaders. Their farm's location offers a unique opportunity to teach youth and adults about dairy and crop farming, Fitchburg's agricultural heritage and the city's development.
"Every day we work hard to be a strong part of our community. We feel it is our duty to provide education to not only the students (and their parents) and teachers at the schools that border our farm, but also to the community members that stop daily. Agriculture is such an important part of our community and state. Thus, we welcome opportunities to explain modern farming practices to people of all ages and backgrounds."
"We strongly believe that is it our responsibility to build on the foundation of previous generations to nurture the land and give back to the community."
~ Stoner Prairie Dairy
At Stoner Prairie Dairy, modern farming practices include milking three times daily in a state-of-the-art milking parlor, conserving electricity, producing hot water as a byproduct of the milk cooling process, housing cows in a freestall barn with sand-bedded stalls and rubber flooring, creating and following a nutrient management plan, and breeding cows via artificial insemination (AI). The modern milking parlor and barn provide exceptional cow comfort and foster a healthy and safe environment for both cattle and farm workers. The nutrient management plan helps manage the amount, source, placement, form and timing of applying nutrients (particularly animal manure and milking parlor water).
An "addendum" to the business's nutrient management plan covers proactive neighbor relations. The O'Briens ask their neighbors about planned outdoor activities and visit with them about manure application intentions. If the O'Briens need to "react" to a complaint, they speak directly to the person who expressed concern and ask how they can improve in the future.
"Although we can't please everyone, we feel that the majority of the city is proud of our ties to the dairy industry. People say they look forward to the smell of fresh cut hay, seeing cows graze on pasture, and watching crops grow each spring and summer and being harvested each fall."
The O'Brien family takes great pride in its family, Irish heritage and farm business, and they want the community of Fitchburg to be proud of its farm neighbor–Stoner Prairie Dairy.
What's next?
Due to their close proximity to Madison and surrounding communities, the O'Briens are investigating the possibility of diversifying the farm by adding ag tourism or direct farm product sales. "This change in our farming structure just might attract a fifth generation to carry on the O'Brien legacy on Stoner Prairie."