Consumers visiting a Wisconsin dairy farm don't generally care about how many cows you're milking, how many acres you're operating, or what your milk production records look like.  They DO care about how you handle and care for your animals.  They DO care about better understanding what an average dairy farm provides not only for dairy products, but for the state's economy.  That's the experience of Rick Roden, dairy producer outside of West Bend.  He's also a board member of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

Roden and his family not only operate an 800 cow dairy operation, they also have an ag tourism business that's run by the family.  This outreach effort has scored Roden and his family tons of new friends, and followers that walk away from the experience with better understand, and more appreciation for Wisconsin's dairy industry and it's dairy farmers.

Resources are always available to farms preparing to host groups or events through Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.  Roden also suggests reaching out to your dairy processor, cooperative, fellow dairy operators, for their support and shared experiences.