From as young as I can remember, agriculture has been the focal point of my life. I grew up on my family’s farm just across the river in Stillwater. Due to urban sprawl and my desire to dairy farm, our family was forced to relocate and, at the same time, expand our dairy farm. Over the years tending to this land and my livestock, and as Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), I witnessed firsthand the immense transformation of agriculture in our state and across the nation. And while the sights and sounds of farming have changed over the years, the heart of it has not: Wisconsin farmers remain committed stewards of the land, proud caretakers of their livestock and land, and are essential contributors to our rural communities and economy.

That’s why I believe it’s important to speak up in support of modern dairy farms like Ridge Breeze Dairy in Pierce County and to speak honestly about what farms like these mean for Wisconsin’s future and our local economy.

We live in a state where agriculture supports one in nine jobs and contributes over $116 billion to our economy annually. Dairy is at the core of that impact, and it’s not by accident – it’s because of generations of innovation, adaptation, and hard work by farm families of all sizes, and also because of our rich soils and productive livestock. But for our dairy industry to remain competitive and sustainable, it has to evolve, embracing technology, engineered building design, and equipment that lets you manage and care for the individual cow in larger numbers.

I understand that the term “CAFO” (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation) can evoke strong emotions. But it’s important to separate fact from fear. These farms are heavily regulated, held to rigorous standards by the Wisconsin DNR, including strict water quality rules, manure management plans, spill protocols, and zero-discharge requirements. These are not operations cutting corners – they are investing heavily in infrastructure, compliance, and innovation to be part of the long-term solution for agriculture.

As DATCP Secretary, one of the most consequential efforts we undertook was implementing the Livestock Facility Siting Law, which created fair, science-based standards for how farms could grow while protecting local resources and community interests. That law, developed through bipartisan collaboration and public input, was designed to bring clarity, predictability, and balance to a growing livestock population. In fact, CAFOs in general were originally established in statute in the 1950s for the poultry industry, 1970s for the swine industry, and 1990s for the dairy industry to operate responsibly, safely, and with respect for the environment and surrounding communities as they expanded. These farms are required to follow strict standards under the Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permit, which includes detailed nutrient management plans, professionally engineered manure storage, land application restrictions, emergency spill response protocols, and more – all designed to make sure that farm expansions incorporate science-based research to protect water quality, reduce nutrient runoff, and support long-term soil health. These rules established over decades of research reflect our belief that you can protect water and air quality without shutting the door on economic opportunity.

Operations like Ridge Breeze Dairy demonstrate that belief in action. They bring not just milk to our markets but jobs, tax base, and stability to rural communities that too often struggle to keep young people and businesses from leaving. Veterinarians, feed mills, mechanics, nutritionists, truckers, construction firms, and entire local economies benefit when a modern dairy farm puts down roots and grows.

Importantly, these are still family farms – often multi-generational and multi-family operations, with deep ties to the community and a long-term interest in protecting the land and water their kids, grandkids, and neighbors will depend on. Ridge Breeze Dairy, for example, is not run by a faceless corporation – it’s operated by Wisconsin-born farmers who care about the same rivers, roads, and schools as their neighbors. Their cattle drink the same water their families do. Their kids go to the same schools. Their dollars stay local.

I also want to acknowledge that modern farming can feel unfamiliar. We often imagine dairy farms of the past: the red barns, 40 cows, and a small family working side by side. That image is part of our state’s legacy, and it still exists in many places. But today’s farms also include modern milking systems, nutrient recycling, precision manure application, and conservation practices that were unheard of a generation ago. That’s not a betrayal of our heritage – it’s a continuation of it, born from universities’ science-based research and engineering for cow comfort.

Agriculture must be allowed to evolve, just like every other industry. What hasn’t changed is the work ethic, the values, and the responsibility that Wisconsin farmers take seriously every day. No one is more motivated to protect the land than the people who rely on it to feed their animals and their own families.

It’s time we talk about Ridge Breeze Dairy – and others like it – not as something to fear, but as something to learn from, collaborate with, and celebrate. Because in the end, a sustainable, thriving dairy industry is not just good for farmers – it’s good for Wisconsin.