The 28th Annual Fourth-Grade Farm Tour was held earlier this month.
Members of the Kutz family once again opened their farm for touring to approximately 750 fourth-graders from 24 schools across Jefferson County.
Fourth-graders, their teachers and chaperons arrived from schools within the communities of Watertown, Johnson Creek, Jefferson, Fort Atkinson, Waterloo, Cambridge, and Eagle.
The family-owned dairy operation milks some 1,900 registered Jersey cows.
The children were supported by some 150 adults, according to information released by farm tour co-chairs Patti Hurtgen and Mariah Hadler.
Students arriving at the Jefferson-based farm cycled through various “stations,” receiving a presentation at each about a particular aspect of dairy farming.
Among stations made available to students were those of beef and swine, sheep and goats, “Field to Table,” “Then and Now,” “Careers,” the farm’s milking parlor, animal and veterinarian care, housing and facilities, land preservation, crops, and a visit with the farm’s calves.
At each station, students were greeted by a presenter. Those serving as presenters included members of the Kutz family, the farm’s staff, and the agricultural industry. Presenters were assisted by FFA members from five chapters, including those from Cambridge, Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Lakeside Lutheran, and Palmyra-Eagle, the release noted.
FFA members also served as tour guides, leading groups of students between the various stations.
The field trip, which is offered to area fourth-graders and accompanying adults free of charge, is sponsored by the Jefferson County Farm Bureau and the Jefferson County Agri-Business Club.
Lunch was provided to students, teachers and chaperones, and teachers received an educational packet of material and a hardcover book about agriculture, which, this year, focused on the dairy industry, the release stated.
Culver’s provided a free scoop of custard to attendees, the release continued.
About the farm
The Kutz family farm is owned and operated by Kutz family members Ron and Pam Kutz, along with their three sons and their sons’ families. The sons and their wives are: Allan and Katie Kutz, Aaron and Melanie Kutz, and Andrew and Robin Kutz.
Ron and Pam began the farm in 1973 with 10 Holstein cows.
In an interview conducted by Fort Atkinson Online with Allan in October of 2021, he noted that his parents began the farm raising a few pigs.
They received a heifer calf for Christmas, he said, and that was the beginning of the dairy farm. In the beginning, the farm milked Holstein cows, but in 2002, the family switched to Jerseys, Allan said, because the animals were smaller, heartier, and more efficient. Today, the farm milks cows three times each day. The farm has 30 full-time employees.
During a farm tour held as part of a fundraiser for the Badgerland After School Enrichment Program (BASE), which was held on the Kutz family farm in the fall of 2021, Allan told those in attendance that Jersey cows are known for being friendly and curious.
He noted that the farm produces some 140,000 pounds of milk each day.
Photographs from this month’s fourth-grade farm tour follow.
Students visit the “Sheep and Goat Station” presented during the Kutz farm tour. The event this year was held May 3.
A presenter offers information to students stopping at the “Beef and Swine Station.”
Students queue up for lunch.
Students find a spot at the table to enjoy lunch on the farm.
Students pet calves in the calf barn on Kutz farm.
Students explore grain formulated for calves at the “Calf Station.”
A student tries his hand at lifting a bale of straw.
Melanie Kutz, at center, offers a presentation to students visiting the “Freestyle Stall and Housing Station.”
Sharing information at the “Animal and Veterinary Care Station,” an FFA student displays a tool used to trim hooves.
Aaron Kutz, at center, offers information to students in advance of entering the farm’s milking parlor.
An employee at Kutz Farm mans the milking parlor.
Students visit a station titled: “Now and Then,” meant to offer a timeline associated with dairy farming and changes within the industry.
Farm tour co-chair Mariah Hadler, at center, instructs FFA student volunteers about tasks and duties they will perform throughout the day.
Contributed photos.
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