Every community has its distinct qualities and characteristics. But there are a number of priorities that are consistent across Wisconsin neighborhoods. From critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges and rural broadband to sustainability in conservation and water and soil quality, it’s in everyone’s best interests for community members, elected officials, farmers and also business leaders to work together to share ideas and meet common goals.
The 2024 Agricultural Community Engagement® (ACE) Twilight Meetings are designed to spark positive conversations and ideas in separate locations around the state. Hosted by local dairy farm families, the free events feature a farm tour followed by ice cream and open conversations about the issues and opportunities that are most important in the surrounding communities. ACE Twilight Meetings are made possible through a partnership between Professional Dairy Producers® (PDP), Wisconsin Counties Association and also the Wisconsin Towns Association.
The 2024 ACE Twilight Meetings will be held at:
- Mon., Aug. 26 – St. Croix County: Luckwaldt Agriculture Inc., 2606 County Rd. D, Woodville, Wis. Hosted by Dan and Mary Luckwaldt family.
- Tue., Aug. 27 – Wood County: Grass Ridge Farm, 7916 Apple Rd., Pittsville, Wis., (at their heifer farm location). Hosted by Matt, Paul and Carl Lippert.
- Wed., Aug. 28 – Kewaunee County: Pagels Ponderosa Dairy LLC, N4893 County Rd. C, Kewaunee, Wis. Hosted by JJ and Chase Pagel family, Bryan and Ashley Pagel family and Jamie Witcpalek family.
- Thu., Aug. 29 – Columbia County: Wargo Acres, Inc., W13157 Cty Rd J, Lodi, Wis. Hosted by Gordon and Emily Carncross, and Craig and Jen Carncross family.
“We are looking forward to hosting a tour and an evening of open dialogue at our farm,” said Paul Lippert, herdsman and HR manager at Grass Ridge Farm. “These ACE Twilight Meetings are a great way for neighbors and local community leaders to see firsthand the innovations that are being used on today’s dairy farms. It’s a great way for us to connect about the topics that are most important to our community members.”
Each meeting will begin with a tour of the host dairy farm at 6:00 p.m. Attendees will also have the opportunity to view each dairy’s milking facilities, barns and the technologies they use. Ice cream will be served at 7:00 p.m., with open dialogue about such shared issues as water, conservation, roadways and transportation, educational opportunities and more. Meetings will conclude at 8:30 p.m.
