Past,Present, Future. Read our Past, Present Future feature startig on page 13 of the 2nd section!
DAIRY ST R
Volume 24, No. 9
“All dairy, all the time”™
June 25, 2022
“Together, we’re raising a standard in the industry, and consequently, we’re expected to do more. It’s like earning a batting title in baseball. You better keep hitting.” – Steve Schlangen
Exceptional efforts in everyday farming Schlangens honored as 2022 sustainability award winners By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
ALBANY, Minn. – Steve and Cheryl Schlangen have been humble leaders in the dairy industry, known for their forwardthinking decisions that have ensured the long-term viability of their farm for generations to come. Such decisions have not gone unnoticed as the couple was named one of four dairy farms receiving the 2022 U.S. Dairy Sustainability Award by the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. “One of the coolest parts about all of this is that we’re a small family farm,” Steve Schlangen said. “Almost everything we do can be replicated by other people.”
Minnesota woman triumphs at Special Olympics USA Games By Maggie Molitor Staff Writer
EDEN VALLEY, Minn. – On June 12, Sidney Kuechle returned to her family’s dairy farm with a new title, Olympic gold medalist, after competing in the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games June 5-12 in Orlando, Florida. She expressed how proud and grateful she was for the experience through a message she sent her sister, Shelby Borman, who was cheering for her with the crowd of fans. “I’m crying happy and sad tears,” said Sidney in the message. “I’m sad I can’t hug you right now but also happy because I am so proud of myself.” The 20-year-old Olympian received gold medals in the 400-meter dash and the shot put. Additionally, she competed in the 100 and took fourth place. Sidney is the daughter of Perry
The Schlangens milk 60 cows with one robot and farm 200 acres of farmland in Stearns County near Albany. Over time, the couple has implemented more than 30 conservation practices including cover cropping, establishing buffer strips, nutrient sampling and management using a manure stacking slab and manure injecting system as well as LED lighting in the barn. “It’s the right thing to do for our future, for us and our children and future generations,” said Schlangen referring to his young grandson. “You want the land to stay productive and the water to be safe and clean. If you can farm for good yields while making the land better year in and year out, it’s a win-win.” This year’s group of honorees display superior management in greenhouse gas reduction and water-use efciencies that align with the industry’s 2050 Environmental Stewardship Goals.
Turn to SCHLANGENS | Page 6
PHOTO SUBMITTED Steve and Cheryl Schlangen milk 60 cows and farm 200 acres near Albany, Minnesota. The couple were recognized as one of four dairy farms that received the 2022 U.S. Dairy Sustainability Award by the InnovaƟon Center for U.S. Dairy.
Kuechle wins gold
“I was kind of nervous a little bit, but mostly excited,” Sidney said. In the preliminary rounds, Sidney placed middle of the pack in the three events she competed in. When it was time to complete in the nal round for the 400, it was late morning and 90 degrees, and Sidney was ranked fourth in her heat. With all odds against her, Sidney ran her best time ever with a nishing time of 1 minute and 28 seconds, shaving off 20 seconds from her time in the preliminaries. “I told myself, ‘I’m going to get there,’” Sidney said. “I was just going with the ow. I was just going to keep going.” Finishing rst, Sidney received her rst gold. “Every time she competed, she did better than the last time,” Perry MAGGIE MOLITOR/DAIRY STAR said. “She never ceases to amaze me.” Sidney Kuechle stands with her parents, Sarah and Perry, in the freestall barn at In shot put, Sidney threw 6.09 her family’s farm June 13 near Eden Valley, Minnesota. Kuechle won two gold meters to secure her second gold medals at the 2022 Special Olympic USA Games. medal. Sidney began her journey to the and Sarah Kuechle and has three and Eden Valley. Special Olympics at Eden Valleysiblings – Shelby, Sawyer and Porter. The Special Olympics USA Watkins High School where she The family milks 250 cows and farms Games united more than 5,500 900 acres of land with Perry’s sisters athletes from across all 50 states and Turn to KUECHLE | Page 7 in Stearns County between Watkins the Caribbean to compete in 19 sports.