Welcome to Appleton, Wisconsin. We are very excited to be in Appleton for the 2023 National Outstanding Young Farmers Awards Congress. This has been a long time in coming, as we had planned to be here in 2021 until Covid canceled our plans. The hotel was gracious enough to work with us to move our plans to 2023. They have gone through a remodel in the past year and are looking forward to hosting us.
The region has been planning for an extended period to make this Congress memorable for all of us. They have made plans for many great tours and an exciting night out on Friday evening. Please take a moment and thank the regional committee members for all their hard work and effort to make this special for all of us.
We are thankful for all of the support and commitment from all the alumni in the Outstanding Farmers of America (OFA) as we continue to honor our National Outstanding Young Farmers. I am sure we can all remember our first year as a finalist and all the excitement at hand. Please take a moment and introduce yourself to this year’s finalists and share your experiences from throughout the years as part of the OFA. Please enjoy yourselves this weekend, support the finalists, and make some new friends.
Sincerely, Andrew and Erin Kimmel (PA 2007),
Presidents of Outstanding Farmers of America
2023 NOYF Finalists - from left, Andrew and Brooke Birchen, Illinois; Jon and Amy Hegeman, Alabama; Ryan Imbach and Tracy Schohr, California; Brad and Tara Peacock, Arkansas; Kyle and Rachel Zwieg, Wisconsin; Micahel and Kassidy Carter, Georgia; Carl and Betsy Long, Pennsylvania; Mike and Halie Schultz of Michigan; Jake and Kyli Stevens of New York; and Mike Brooks of New Jersey.
2023 NOYF Winners - from left, Brad and Tara Peacock of Arkansas; Jon and Amy Hegeman of Alabama; Kyle and Rachel Zwieg of Wisconsin; and Carl and Betsy Long of Pennsylvania.
Keller’s Retired Tractor Museum (KR) - Located in Brillion, which is in northeastern Wisconsin. Many one of a kind and first production tractors are included at this museum, from experimental models to the 8010.Most of the tractors are John Deere, but the collection does include other makes. This collection, which has grown to over 500 tractors spread out between many sheds and was started by the Keller family who owned a John Deere dealership many years ago.
Drumlin Goat Dairy (DN) - Drumlin Goat Dairy is a 9,000-goat dairy that has been recently built, combining a couple of area goat dairies. We will be able to view milking goats in a rotary parlor and driving through the barn will be awesome.
Wayside Dairy (DN)- Wayside Dairy is a 4th and 5th generation dairy owned by Dan and Barb Natzke, son Jeremy and daughter Jenna. It was founded in 1863 and is currently milking 2,000 cows three times per day. Farming over 3,000 acres growing mostly corn for silage, alfalfa, wheat and soybeans. Cover crops are used extensively. A manure digester will be added in 2023 to produce renewable clean energy. Check out the facebook page: (20) Wayside Dairy, LLC | Facebook
Lambeau Field (CM) - One of the most revered stadiums in the country, Lambeau Field, is hosting its 61st season of football this year. Lambeau Field is the longest continuously occupied stadium in the league – 15 years more than the next-closest which is Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City at 46 years. In pro sports, only the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park (106 seasons) and the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field (104 seasons) have been active longer. What was once just a football stadium that fans could use only 10 days during the season is now a Packers culture center that can be experienced all year. Within the five-story Lambeau Field Atrium, is the Packers Pro Shop; corporate meeting and event facilities such as the Legends Club where Friday evening will take place; the Packers Hall of Fame; and a restaurant. Lambeau Field Tours will be available Friday evening. Visit website to learn more: Lambeau Field Stadium Tours | Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame & Stadium Tours (packershofandtours.com)
Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center (DH) - Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center, Manitowoc, WI, where curiosity grows! An idea of Norval Dvorak’s (Wisconsin’s second OYF winner in 1955) took root and this total ag experience opened in 2018. You can explore more than 10,000 square feet of interactive exhibits and displays on two floors. Kids and adults make a connection with the origins of their food and the modern technology that keeps ag production efficient and food safe. There is a café, gift store and ice cream. Numerous Wisconsin OYF farmers were and are part of this unique learning experience. Learn more before you come at: www.farmwisconsin.org