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DAIRY ST R
June 11, 2022
“All dairy, all the time”™
Volume 24, No. 6
Growing from within Nelson family farms for six generations, counting By Abby Wiedmeyer abby.w@dairystar.com
RICHLAND CENTER, Wis. – The Nelson family takes pride in passing the farm down to the next generation, something they have been able to do six times now. “I guess you do it because you love it and you want to pass it down,” Sherry Nelson said. “You think of it as being yours but essentially it’s not; you’re just being a steward of the land while you’ve got it.” Larry and Sherry Nelson farm with their two sons, Aaron and Andy, near Richland Center where the family milks 200 cows three times a day in a double-12 parallel parlor. Since forming the HuffNel-Sons LLC in 2000, the farm has evolved and updated to increase efciency
for the future generations. “My brother and I are just trying to do what we can to keep it going,” Aaron said. Daily chores are handled between the four family members and two employees. The morning milking is done by Larry, Aaron and Sherry while Andy does most of the feeding. Two employees milk the second and third shift. Sherry is mainly in charge of the younger calves. The rest of the 240 youngstock are cared for by Larry, Aaron and Andy. Anything that needs to be lled in defaults to Andy and Aaron. The family also farms 1,500 acres which is managed by Larry, Andy and Aaron. “We are lucky to have seven grandsons who are all very active with the farm,” Sherry said. “As their ages allow, they take a tractor
ABBY WIEDMEYER/DAIRY STAR
Andy, Sherry, Larry and Aaron Nelson stand on their farm May 23 near Richland Center, Wisconsin. The family milks 200 cows.
Turn to NELSONS | Page 6
Bores family serves their community Fire, EMS a tradition for Auburndale farmers By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
AUBURNDALE, Wis. – Four generations of the Bores family have served, and are serving, their community as re ghters and Emergency Medical Service rst responders. “I have always liked the re department,” said Todd Bores. “I went to the trainings with my dad and grandpa when I was a little boy. It was just natural that my kids have done the same, and I’m guessing their kids will be going along to trainings before too long.” Todd and Patti Bores milk 50 cows on their Wood County farm with all of their adult children: Riley, Collin, Reid and Kenni. Collin’s girlfriend, Heather Ertl, and Kenni’s ancé, Houston Olson, also help on the farm as needed. Patti Bores said service is just a part of their lives. “For us, the pagers going off is no different than having to call the vet or something breaks down; you just understand that plans are changed,” Patti said. “It has always been a part of our lives. These guys have never known anything
DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR
The Bores family – (front, from leŌ) Todd, Paƫ, Riley, Ralph and BeƩe Bores, Houston Olson, Heather Ertl and Collin Bores; (back, from leŌ Reid and Kenni Bores – milks 50 cows on their Auburndale, Wisconsin farm. The family boasts four generaƟons of service in the local re and EMS departments. different. They have never known Dad not being on the re department.” Todd’s grandfather, Arnold, and father, Ralph, were among the rst members of the Auburndale Fire Department when it was established in
1965. Ralph recently retired from the department after 55 years of service, including serving as the department’s president and treasurer. “My dad and I joined the department because they needed help, and that is
just what you did back then,” Ralph said. “The only training we had was the captain from Marsheld came out and we smoked up houses and learned how to put out the res.” Patti said the long-standing family involvement made it a natural progression for the children of each generation to continue the tradition. “Todd grew up in the department, and our kids have literally grown up in the department,” Patti said. Todd joined the re department 28 years ago. Riley has 10 years of service, Collin has 8, and Patti just celebrated nine years with the EMS. Todd is serving as the department’s chief as well as being a reghter and EMS. In addition to being reghters, Riley has several certications including HAZMAT while Collin is also an engineer. Reid is currently a driver and will be taking the classes at Mid-State Technical College this year to become certied as a reghter. Patti and Heather are both involved as rst responders. Heather serves as the EMS director and has plans to begin the reghter classes in the next year. Kenni and Houston typically pick up the slack with chores when the entire family is
Turn to BORES | Page 6