Category Archives: WWGTD

Meet & Greet: Macy Sarbacker

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We are welcoming Sarbacker Cattle Company and Macy Sarbacker today!  Sarbacker Cattle Company is a family owned Holstein operation located in Belleville, Wisconsin, just South of Madison.  They are in a major transition currently.  Over the past three years they have sold off their Dairy Milking Herd and are currently raising Holstein Heifers with the intent for them to be show heifers.

At a mere 21 years of age this gal has graduated from Iowa State with a degree in Ag Journalism and Mass Communications.  Macy has helped transition Sarbacker Cattle Company in the past 3 years and has goals to continue to expand the new operation and possibly starting up a custom heifer raising operation.  If you are looking for that perfect show heifer, be sure to check her out!

Macy Sarbacker

Aside from her work on the farm, Macy is doing great things for Agriculture outside of their family operation, she is the Dairy Editor at Agri-View which is Wisconsin’s leading Ag Newspaper.   The Montana Ranch Adventure has had the opportunity to be a feature in Agri-View thanks to Macy!

When asked the question of Why Blogging and Why Ag? Macy answered, “It’s important for me to be involved in my dairy operation because I believe in the future of agriculture. I grew up immersed in agriculture and sincerely wish that everyone had the opportunity to do so. I also think it is important for me to be involved in my family’s dairy operation because it provides me with the opportunity to educate others. The average person today is so far removed from farms, that they don’t have any idea what goes on in the agriculture world. Being involved in my family’s dairy operation allows me to live out my passion and explain my passion to the general public.”  Macy believes that it is so important to continue to increase transparency in the Ag Industry and states that, “There’s no reason to lie or keep secrets.  If we’re open and honest with the public, we gain trust and respect.”  We couldn’t have said it better ourselves!

   I want to know your dirty little secret…..ok you don’t have to give that up, but tell me something unique about you, your operation, your family, anything goes! 

“Last winter my family lost our entire barn, office and calf barn to a barn fire. As if it wasn’t tough enough to sell our milking herd, losing our third generation farm was a tough blow. We now have a newly built show heifer barn and office! Through our tough times we learned the importance of the agriculture community. Farmers, friends and neighbors from close and far pitched in to get calves out of the barn, to save paperwork from the office and to bring us home-cooked meals for weeks after the fire. As difficult as it is to experience loss and change, we so quickly learned how grateful we are for the support of the agriculture community.”

– – To Macy and the entire Sarbacker family, we are sending our prayers and lots of love, we know how devastating fires are to Agriculture Family Business.  We are wishing you the smoothest and best recovery and know you have so much support backing you!  Thank you so much Macy for sharing your story with us, and being a part of “Women Who Get Things Done in Ag” feature!   To check out more on The Sarbacker Operation, and Macy follow her on Facebook, at her Blog, and also, check out Agri-View!

Meet & Greet: K*Jo Farms & Kellie Gregorich

 

 

 

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K*Jo Herefords & Kellie Jo Gregorich from Lamotte, IA is our “Girl that is Getting Things Done” feature today!   Kellie and her Father work together to run their operation of a couple hundred acres and 60 head of purebred shorthorn, Herefords, and miniature Herefords cows.  They run a cow/calf operation from start to finish until they are ready for the Market.  This is the perfect set up considering Kellie works full time as well. Kellie Gregorich1

I have to say quote Kellie on this because for me to rewrite it would be a shame.  I asked Kellie to tell me about her:  “I’m a blonde hair, blue eyed, ‘firecracker’. I’m very headstrong and believe you can get anywhere with hard work. My family is extremely important to me and means everything to me. Without my parents, I wouldn’t be where I am today. My sister always pushed me to achieve bigger and better and I hated it then, but now I can’t thank her enough. I enjoy scrapbooking, riding horses, playing my clarinet, riding my bike, bonfires, showing cattle, and photography. I’ve been called nice, sarcastic, funny, ‘go-getter’, cow freak, and many other things, but those are my favorite! I guess it’s hard for me to write about myself, but if you check out my blog, Kelli For Ag, you will get a better feel for who I am, what I believe in, and what I enjoy doing.”   There is no way to sum that up, She is a strong-willed, hardworking gal who puts her family first, and her cattle second.  I can’t think of a better way to be.

Kellie Gregorich

When asked the question of Why Blogging and Why Ag? Kellie answered, “I’m a fourth generation farmer. For those of you that are farmers, that’s all you need to know. To others, being a fourth generation farmer is ‘kind of a big deal.’   Agricultural has always been a part of my life. It means everything to me. If I’ve had a bad day, a day on the farm can take away all the worries, concerns, and bad feelings. Ever heard of ‘runner’s high’? Well I have ‘farmer’s high’. It’s been in my blood for generations. It’s something I thrive on and enjoy doing. Most women don’t get excited about feeding calves, having a bottle calf, grinding feed, or raking hay, but this one does. In 3rd grade we had to draw what we wanted to be. I drew “Farmer Kellie”. Someday I hope to be a full time farmer and make 3rd grade Kellie’s dream a reality. Farming will be something that I do for the rest of my life.’”  Kellie is hoping to use their family operation to teach others that not all farmers are ‘bad farmers.’  I want others to really see what is going on in farming.

 I want to know your dirty little secret…..ok you don’t have to give that up, but tell me something unique about you, your operation, your family, anything goes! 

“I’m kind of a chicken freak too! I love my laying hens and get seriously excited to go pick eggs every morning!”  I won’t lie Kellie, I’m a little jealous, I haven’t had the time to start with Chickens but someday I hope to, there is nothing better than a farm fresh egg!

Kellie Gregorich2

It has been so great getting to know you Kellie and allowing others to see the great things you are doing in Ag!  Thank you being a part of “The Women that Get Things Done in Ag” Feature!  To read more about Kelli check out her Blog Here.  Kellie has also been a part of FarmHer Inc, which is a great exposition on Women in Agriculture through Photographs!  Too Cool!