Dairy part of everyday life Lake City

Page 4 • Country Acres South | Saturday, November 19, 2022 Dairy DairyFamily time the center of Ficks’ operation

BY TAYLOR JERDE | STAFF WRITER

LAKE CITY – The Ficks have overcome many obstacles together, yet their dedication and determination to their family, community, and dairy farm has remained unchanged. The Fick’s are actively involved in 4-H, Wabasha County Cattlemen’s Association, snowmobile club, and many sports. The six-person family operates a 230-cow dairy and they keep busy year-round. They also fi nd time to bring their 15-yearold daughter, Abby, to doctor appointments. In October year-round. They also fi nd time to bring their 15-yearold daughter, Abby, to doctor appointments. In October 2021, Abby was diagnosed with Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath tumor cancer. She lost her left arm as a result, but doesn’t let that slow her down as she still assists with farm chores. Tara and Troy run and operate T-N-T Dairy, along with their four children, Abby, 20-year-old Mallory, 17-yearold Rylee and 13-year-old Nolan. Between the four kids, the Ficks keep busy traveling to various sports including football, basketball, volleyball, softball, to various sports including football, basketball, volleyball, softball,

Abby Fick (left) and Mallory Fick stand with Abby’s 4-H dairy project this summer. The Fick family is actively involved in 4-H. and trap shooting. “Having the kids in sports is a great way for them to keep connected with their friends,” Tara said. Running their family farm and being active members of the community have earned the Fick family the title of Wabasha County Farm Family of the Year. The Ficks milk their cows, raise their own heifers, grow their own crops, and maintain the dairy. The members of the family complete all the necessary chores, with the exception of one-hired hand who does the milking. They mainly have Holsteins, with a few Brown Swiss for showing. Their oldest daughter Mallory lives off the farm, but likes to be on the farm and helps as often as she can. The Ficks enjoy workFamily Familying together as a family, and all have their specialty chores. Troy mixes the feed and feeds the cows and heifers, Tara feeds the calves, and the kids help with miscellaneous chores like hauling manure, bedding pens, fi eld work, driving silage trucks or driving the packer. Troy’s parents, Marvin and Ruth, began the farm in 1972. They lived down the road, but had always milked, and when the homestead came up for sale, they purchased it. Growing up, Troy was the only boy, but had three sisters. He enjoyed milking cows, and knew what he wanted to do when he came home from college. He graduated from college in 1992, and began to take over the farm. When Troy married Tara in 2004, she quickly adapted

PHOTOS SUBMITTED Rylee (from left), Tara, Mallory, Nolan, Troy and Abby Fick gather together after receiving their award in August. The Fick family owns and operates T-N-T Dairy near Lake City, where they milk 230 dairy cows. to the farm wife and mother role. “I enjoy doing the farm chores and mom duties,” Tara said. “I really enjoy cooking, baking and canning.” Troy’s parents still live on the farm with Troy and Tara and they like to help out with their grandkids from time to time, and handle other small maintenance occurrences. Ficks page 5

Rylee Fick shows his pig this summer at the fair. He enjoys the 4-H swine project.

Ficks

from page 4

Keeping active in various clubs and organizations have helped keep the Ficks in tune with the community. The kids are active within 4-H. Rylee enjoys showing pigs, Abby enjoys showing both dairy and pigs and Nolan enjoys autocross. As a family, the Ficks also share a love of snowmobiling. They are members of the snowmobiling club and like to go on trips, and fi nd a good change of pace when they are able to leave the farm to pursue this hobby. “It’s fun to go out, the kids enjoy it,” Tara said. “It’s also good family time.” The kids also know their chores and work have to get done before their fun activities. Troy and Tara like raising their kids on the farm, and are happy to have them involved in other organizations. “It’s a great way to raise a family and kids,” Tara said. Troy agreed. “We enjoy socializing and getting off the farm for a while.” Tara also used to work off the farm in the Lake City school district, for seven years until Covid hit in 2020. She liked to work off the farm, but said she also liked to come home and work with her family and the animals. “It’s hard work, but you can set your own hours,” Tara said. “We love working with the animals and being outside.” Throughout the years, the Ficks have made many updates to the farm. “We’ve come a long way with updating buildings and equipment,” Tara said.

Nolan Fick stands with his autocross car this summer. He enjoys working on his car.

651-345-3311

105 East Lyon Ave. | Lake City, MN 55041

Used Engines • Used Transmissions • Used Cabs • Used Rear Axel

Thompson Motors | Wykoff, MN 1-800-862-2002

bm64ln bp11sv

PRE-EMISSION ISX 2013 Freightliner Columbia 120

Stk# 71772 - $41,950

br24mk

ALLISON AUTO 2005 Ford F750

Stk# 71819 - $26,950

bp72fk

CUMMINS 2012 Kenworth T600

Stk# 178872-869 - $49,950

CUMMINS 2001 International 9900

Stk# 71808 - $29,950

www.LKQHEAVYTRUCK.com

Ficks page 6

CZNov19-1B-TV “Your future is secure with us” Come talk with our

Ag Lenders

Brian, Brady, Les or Warren!

WWW.ARDENTMILLS.COM

CZNov19-1B-TV WWW.PEOPLESSTATEBANK.COM

Deer processing $120 per head

Scan the QR Code below to see our complete inventory

This is our fi rst year providing skinning and deboning services from our downtown location. However, we have processed around 400 head of deer each of these last three consecutive years.

YOU TAKE THE TRIMMINGS