Generational Family Farms: Carrying on the Legacy

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to grow up on a farm? In our newest blog, learn from Mandy and Brielle, who are a part of inspirational family farms that have been passed down through generations. Uncover what it was like to be born & raised on the farm, their involvement & impact today, as well as future goals & aspirations to carry on the long-lasting legacy.

Born & Raised

Mandy and Brielle, 16 and 18 years old, have been born into families who have cultivated land for generations. They’ve both been brought up on farms that continue to grow as the years pass by. 

Mandy’s family owns Deer Creek Farm, which started with her grandfather who had 50 dairy cows. To date, there are about 700 dairy cows! New calves are born each day and grow up next to several other animals on the farm, from hogs to sheep and steers–Mandy’s personal favorite.

While on Brielle’s family farm, she has raised a wide variety of animals in her day including goats, chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, cattle, and even horses! Since she was immersed into the farming life from the start, she’s learned it takes time and patience, and the animals come first, getting nothing short of royal treatment.

Involvement & Impact

Both girls, Mandy and Brielle, have grown into their own roles, have quickly become involved in the day-to-day operations, and continue to make an impact through competitions and 4-H clubs. 

On the farm, they each raise and care for all the animals, which takes time, patience, and hard work around the clock day in and day out. While they love working on the farm, they also love the excitement of competing.

Mandy and Brielle both have competed at the annual world-renowned Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction, specifically chasing the dream of Grand Champion for their prized steer. Mandy has been awarded not only Grand Champion for her market steer, but also recognized for showmanship. Brielle has also won Grand Champion, which fueled her drive to continue competing. After adding more steers to the farm, Brielle achieved another Grand Champion award in addition to Reserved Champion.

Putting their competitive drive aside, the two girls have also made their impact beyond the medals by playing an integral role in the local 4-H clubs. Brielle is actually the President of the Pine Creek 4-H Club and is designated to lead the younger generation into impactful clubs like these. 4-H clubs provide many great experiences, exclusive awards, scholarships, and unforgettable trips. 

Goals & Aspirations

As they say in the 4-H club, using their heads for clear thinking, hearts for greater loyalty, hands for larger service, and health for better living for the club, community, country, and world, Mandy and Brielle have big plans to return to the farm in the near future. 

Mandy will continue learning about the day-to-day operations and farming machinery. In the future, she plans to keep working for the family farm and carry on the generational legacy her grandpa started. 

Brielle plans to take her experiences and leadership opportunities from Pine Creek 4-H Club to college at River Falls. After receiving her degree with a double major in pre-vet medicine and meat animal science, Brielle will attend Iowa State to obtain her veterinary degree, and later return to the farm to apply her acquired knowledge in agriculture.

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After learning the stories behind Mandy and Brielle, from their upbringing, involvement & impacts, to future goals & aspirations of carrying on the family’s generational legacies, you’ll begin to understand there’s something truly special about life on the farm. 

See their stories and farms first-hand by watching Discover Wisconsin’s original short ‘Tomorrow’s Farmers Today: Girls in Agriculture’ below:

*This article is brought to you with support from Enbridge. 

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Hailey Rose: Writer for Discover Mediaworks. A born & bred Wisconsinite with a love for fishing, hunting, and enjoying the great outdoors.