Wisconsin dairy farms host 2024 ACE twilight meetings

By Blake Jackson

In Wisconsin, communities share common priorities such as essential infrastructure, sustainability, and environmental quality.

Addressing these concerns requires collaboration among residents, officials, farmers, and businesses. To facilitate this, the 2024 Agricultural Community Engagement (ACE) Twilight Meetings will be held across the state, promoting dialogue and connection on vital issues.

Organized by Professional Dairy Producers (PDP), the Wisconsin Counties Association, and the Wisconsin Towns Association, these meetings offer a platform for engaging discussions.

Hosted by local dairy farm families, the events are free to attend and feature farm tours, ice cream, and open conversations on key topics affecting the community.

The 2024 ACE Twilight Meetings are scheduled as follows:

• Monday, August 26: St. Croix County at Luckwaldt Agriculture Inc., 2606 County Rd. D, Woodville, Wis., hosted by the Dan and Mary Luckwaldt family.
• Tuesday, August 27: Wood County at Grass Ridge Farm, 7916 Apple Rd., Pittsville, Wis., at their heifer farm location, hosted by Matt, Paul, and Carl Lippert.
• Wednesday, August 28: Kewaunee County at Pagels Ponderosa Dairy LLC, N4893 County Rd. C, Kewaunee, Wis., hosted by the JJ and Chase Pagel family, Bryan and Ashley Pagel family, and Jamie Witcpalek family.
• Thursday, August 29: Columbia County at Wargo Acres, Inc., W13157 Cty Rd J, Lodi, Wis., hosted by Gordon and Emily Carncross, and Craig and Jen Carncross family.

“We are looking forward to hosting a tour and an evening of open dialogue at our farm,” said Paul Lippert, herdsman and HR manager at Grass Ridge Farm near Pittsville, Wis. “These ACE Twilight Meetings are a great way for neighbors and local community leaders to see firsthand the innovations that are being used on today’s dairy farms, and for all of us to connect about the topics that are most important to our community members.”

Each event will commence with a tour of the host dairy farm at 6:00 p.m., where attendees can observe animal care, milking facilities, and farm technology.

Following the tour, ice cream will be served at 7:00 p.m., leading into open discussions on topics such as water management, conservation, and infrastructure. The meetings will wrap up at 8:30 p.m.

To learn more and to register for the free event, visit www.PDPW.org or contact PDP at 800-947-7379.

Photo Credit: istock-fangxianuo