Thesings of Winona are Good Farm Neighbors
By Heather Thorstensen
hthorstensen@agrinews.com
Date Modified: 03/04/2010 9:22 AM
E-mail article | Print version
WINONA, Minn. — Doug and Cindy Thesing of Winona are proud of their dairy farm.
Ridgeview Dairy has been in Cindy's family since 1941, making her the third generation to live there. She's a plant person and likes to maintain the grounds, putting in more trees and flowers each year. She considers pulling weeds a break and works part-time as a florist in La Crosse, Wis.
"It's good for me to go to work and be an employee because I'm also an employer," she said.
The farm has one full-time and four part-time employees, including Doug and Cindy's youngest son, Aaron, 17. Their oldest, Brandon, 20, is a junior at the University of Minnesota studying animal science with a dairy emphasis.
Doug is willing to host groups at the farm to repel the notion that dairy producers don't care for their livestock. They've already hosted kindergartners.
"The more you inform people, the better you are," he said.
The herd is made of 150 Holstein and Jersey cows, milked three times daily.
"Doug loves his animals," said Cindy.
The Thesings are January winners of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Good Farm Neighbor Award. The monthly award goes to livestock producers who show they care for their animals, neighbors and the environment. Winners are selected by a committee with representatives from the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, the Minnesota Corn Growers Association and the state agriculture department.
Most of the Doug and Cindy's neighbors don't farm. There's only one other dairy operation on their county road.
"We do try to be mindful of our neighbors," said Doug.
They let people know when they'll be hauling manure and try to keep public roads clean. Driving through manure isn't fun for anybody, no matter where it came from, Doug said.
They have 600 acres, 370 of which are tillable and used to grow corn, alfalfa, a little wheat and soybeans. They use contour stripping and have planted winter triticale on corn silage ground to prevent erosion.
They practice no-till on some of their soybean acres and will try no-till corn this year on alfalfa ground. They've released pheasants into their woods and have worked to improve ponds and waterways.
"I was shocked," Doug said of winning the award. "It's just a way of life."
They will receive a plaque and a visit from Minnesota Department of Agriculture commissioner Gene Hugoson or deputy commissioner Jim Boerboom.
"It's always nice when your farm is viewed as a good farm," said Cindy.