Marathon County is working hard to save energy. In 2025, more than 100 local businesses,
manufacturers, schools, hospitals, and farms improved the efficiency of their facilities with support
from Focus on Energy.

Farming has played a major role in this achievement. Last year, 62 farms in Marathon County
completed more than 180 energy-saving projects, resulting in $325,000 in total savings. These
upgrades help family farms lower costs and stay strong for the future.


No Joke Dairy is a fifth-generation family farm in Marathon County that has belonged to the Redetzke family since 1911. Otto and Ottelia Redetzke built the original barn, and the farm has remained in the family for over a hundred years. Although the family stopped milking cows in 2011, brothers Matt and Sam Redetzke chose to start the dairy again in 2015. They restored the herd and brought the farm back to life. Now, four generations work side by side, making it a family-run farm.

The farm cares for 400 cattle in total, including young animals, and has a milking herd of around 200 Jersey cows. The Redetzke family also grows crops on 660 acres to feed their animals, keeping the farm self-sufficient.

Kevin Weiler, Focus on Energy advisor visits with Pam Jahnke and FTD host, Matt Redetzke, about their investments.


Energy Efficiency Upgrades with Focus on Energy
No Joke Dairy has implemented a series of energy-saving improvements in partnership with Focus
on Energy:

• Livestock Waterers (Installed in 2022 and 2023)

• LED Exterior Lighting (2023)

• Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) Vacuum Pump (2019)

• High-Bay LED Fixtures (2019)

• Annual Energy Savings: 68,710 kWh
• Annual Cost Savings: $8,671*
• Environmental impact: Reduces 108,836 pounds of CO₂ each year. This is equal to taking 12
gas-powered cars off the road or powering 10 homes for a full year
*Savings are estimated using average statewide rates and may vary by site.

Marathon County is working hard to save energy. In 2025, more than 100 local businesses, manufacturers, schools, hospitals, and farms improved the efficiency of their facilities with support from Focus on Energy. Farming has played a major role in this achievement. Last year, 62 farms in Marathon County completed more than 180 energy-saving projects, resulting in $325,000 in total savings. These upgrades help family farms lower costs and stay strong for the future.
 No Joke Dairy is a fifth-generation family farm in Marathon County that has belonged to the Redetzke family since 1911. Otto and Ottelia Redetzke built the original barn, and the farm has remained in the family for over a hundred years. Although the family stopped milking cows in 2011, brothers Matt and Sam Redetzke chose to start the dairy again in 2015. They restored the herd and brought the farm back to life. Now, four generations work side by side, making it a family-run farm.
The farm cares for 400 cattle in total, including young animals, and has a milking herd of around 200 Jersey cows. The Redetzke family also grows crops on 660 acres to feed their animals, keeping the farm self-sufficient.
Kevin Weiler, Focus on Energy advisor visits with Pam Jahnke and FTD host, Matt Redetzke, about their investments.
 Energy Efficiency Upgrades with Focus on Energy No Joke Dairy has implemented a series of energy-saving improvements in partnership with Focus on Energy: &bull; Livestock Waterers (Installed in 2022 and 2023) &bull; LED Exterior Lighting (2023) &bull; Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) Vacuum Pump (2019) &bull; High-Bay LED Fixtures (2019) &bull; Annual Energy Savings: 68,710 kWh &bull; Annual Cost Savings: $8,671* &bull; Environmental impact: Reduces 108,836 pounds of CO₂ each year. This is equal to taking 12 gas-powered cars off the road or powering 10 homes for a full year *Savings are estimated using average statewide rates and may vary by site.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

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Daily audio and podcasts from the Mid-West Farm Report Madison!