Organic farming - keeping the planet healthy

By Caroline Rosacker 

Following in his father's footsteps, Andy Schaefers of rural Clayton County continues the family tradition of organic farming.

Schaefers began working through the process to become compliant with USDA  standards in 1993. He began shipping organic milk to Organic Valley in La Farge, Wis., in May of 1996. He eliminated all grain from his herd's diet, switching to all forbes and pasture, and began shipping grass fed organic milk to Organic Valley in 2014. 

Organic Valley

Organic Valley's humble roots began after a group of Coulee region farmers were discarded by a bankrupt agricultural system, being told to get big or get out. They were concerned about the effects industrial chemical farming would have on their health, animals and the environment.

As the story goes, one farmer, George Siemon, put up posters calling area farmers to band together in agreement that there had to be a better, more sustainable way to  continue farming like they always had – to protect the land, animals, economy and people’s health. Through their commitment, Organic Valley, a farmer-owned cooperative was born.

The co-op set high organic standards for themselves, which eventually served as the framework for the USDA's organic rules. 

Organic Valley began growing and selling organic vegetables, and in less than a year was selling organic milk products. They found their local community members preferred the taste of organic milk  over other options. 

As the demand grew, soon Organic Valley emerged as the nation’s leading producer of organic dairy, and after 30 years in business continues to produce high quality organic dairy, vegetables and eggs. 

Schaefers organic dairy farm

"Organic grass fed dairy is higher in omega 3 and lower in omega 6," Schaefers explained. "It is also supposed to be higher in Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), which is an essential fatty acid that is  important for good health." He pointed out that years ago butter was yellow, now it is primarily white because cows are confined and fed diets high in grains.  

Schaefers' dairy operation averages about 80 head of cattle that graze on about 300 acres of his 550 acre property. "I have 250 acres of woodland, and within that, 18 acres that I would like to set aside for a nature preserve or an area available for green burial. It is just an idea I would like to pursue," he noted. 

The organic farmer's  cattle are a cross between a Jersey and a Holstein. He calls them calico cows. "You have to make sure no one sprays chemicals near you," he told The Press. "I have to mow and keep the brush down to keep the county and the utility companies happy."

Although Schaefers' three daughters appreciate his commitment to organic farming, they are not interested in taking over the family farm. "I am ready to hand over the operation to a young couple that have a great deal of experience with organic farming and organic dairy products," he said with a smile. 

Organic Valley's grass fed milk products can be purchased at Oneota Food Cooperative in Decorah. Their organic whole and reduced fat milk can be purchased at Kwik Star in Guttenberg.