National Ag Day Farm Tours

National Ag Day Farm Tours are offered yearly to local Washington County - 4th grade students in April. Using all five senses, students learn how Farmer Ross's beef cattle are raised and what they eat, how crop production/foods come to our table, and why soil and water conservation efforts are so important. A second tour, by Farmer Charlie, allows children to experience a dairy farm. Cows, heifers and calves oh my! Nearly 500 children from 10 local elementary schools (Hartford/Richfield/Germantown/Jackson) will visit both farms this spring!

FARMER ROSS BISHOP

Bishop Enterprises, located at 1736 Mill Road, Jackson 53037 (Town of Jackson) consists of 186 homestead acres dating back to 1846 and over 500 acres of additional rented ground. The farm was purchased in 2010* and is currently home to over 80 head of beef cattle consisting of the following breeds: Black Angus, Hereford and Black Baldy (Black Angus-Hereford cross). Continuous no-till farming has been practiced since 1994 on all land planted to corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa. These crops are grown to feed the cattle, to make ethanol, and to feed the world.

The students will experience the following while visiting the beef farm:
• The Cattle Chute
• Beef Cattle Feed
• Silos and Feed Bunker
• Farming Equipment (planting and harvest)
• Corn, Soybeans and Wheat Products
• Where Their Food Comes From
• Conservation, Healthy Soils and No-Till
• Agribusiness & Ag Careers
• Cattle By-Products

*Ross farmed/managed the Berggren Farm at this location from 1982-2010.

FARMER CHARLIE JONES

Krescent Valley Farm, located at W188N14023 Maple Road, Richfield 53076 (Village of Germantown) consists of 100 homestead acres dating back to 1854 and over 150 acres of additional rented ground. All cropland is planted to corn, peas & oats, wheat and alfalfa to help feed and bed the animals. The farm is owned by Charlie’s parents, Robert & Michelle (Kraemer) Jones, and currently houses nearly 200 head of dairy cattle consisting of the following breeds: Black & White Holstein, Red & White Holstein, Jersey, Ayrshire and Norwegian Red. Almost 300 total animals call this farm home.

The students will experience the following while visiting the dairy farm:
• Milking Parlor Tour
• The Milkhouse
• Bulk Tank - Fresh Milk Storage
• Dairy Cattle Feed
• The Freestall Barn
•Young Calves

**Charlie is the 7th generation to farm here.