Here in Wisconsin, we’re very fortunate to have so many value-added farms across the state. We have ice cream parlors, milk processing plants, cheese factories, and that’s just on the dairy side of ag. One of those value-added businesses brings us to Columbus, Wisconsin at Sassy Cow Creamery, which began back in 2008 with James Baerwolf, his brother Robert, and their families. Currently, the creamery uses milk from the two brothers’ farm’s 600 conventional dairy cattle and 200 organic cows to make ice cream and milk.
“My brother and myself, we’ve always farmed since we were kids,” James said. He explained that just like any other business, their dairy has grown over time, especially if you look back to what the farm was while they were growing up. James said that as time went on, they decided to start looking into the value-added side of dairy farming and were trying to figure out what would work best for them. That’s when they chose to create Sassy Cow and have had their doors open for the past 13 years.
“Really, it’s just doing a lot of research and looking at things that are maybe a little bit out of your familiarity or wheelhouse,” says James. He mentioned that their dairy farm is similar to most of the other larger dairies in the state. The only difference is that they knew that the value-added industry was the right path for them. He said in order to get into it, you have to really think about where you want to take it. Do you want to make ice cream? Milk? Cheese? Butter? What’s a good fit for your business and your family. He explained that farmers are always looking at value-added options, especially when it comes to livestock. “We see a lot more in the beef, pork, and meat side of it.”
An eye-opener that James brought up was how for some dairy farmers, it’s not that they necessarily love the idea of value-added, but it’s more of the fact that if they want to keep dairy farming, it may be their only option. “There are some states where the options of places to pick up your milk are getting pretty limited,” James said. He has had farmers talk to him about how the dairy plants in their state are so few and far between that they’re worried about the plants either shutting down or changing their practices and only picking up milk in a certain area, leaving them helpless. That’s when the dairy needs to realize that the only option is to start a value-added business or sell.
Other farmers choose to implement a value-added side to their farm because of other reasons. For example, James said that a big motive to make the decision is the next generation and their future. “The next generation is coming along and trying to figure out a way, how can we add in a family member without doubling or tripling our herd size,” he went on to give advice to other producers interested in the business, “there’s not a cookie-cutter mold. One of the ingredients that make things, operations, a little more successful is having that variety of strengths and interests within the operation.” He explained that’s how your company can be successful. By having a diverse group with different strong suits.
As far as the next generation on their farm and at the creamery goes, James said they’re in the same boat as most farms in the state. He mentioned how some of the kids can’t get enough of the farm, while others want nothing to do with it. At the end of the day, he said it’s really up to them and they’ll have to figure out if this is what they want, but that’s a decision they need to make on their own.
You can listen to the full interview with James Baerwolf on our podcast page.
