Brian Brown and Jeff Hendrickson were recognized as Master Agriculturists in farming, community service and leadership during a presentation by the Wisconsin Agriculturist, in partnership with Growmark FS; Twohig, Rietbrock, Schneider and Halbach S.C. of Chilton; and Compeer Financial.

Because of the pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 Master Agriculturists were recognized together on August 11, 2021, at La Sure's Banquet Hall in Oshkosh.

Recipients of the 2020 award were Jeff Hendrickson; Kent Wendorf, Viroqua; Eric Rygg, Eau Claire; and Charlie, George, Tom and Mark Crave, Waterloo.

The 2021 award recipients were Brian Brown; Jack Herricks, Cashton; Brian Forrest, Stratford; and John Judd, Mount Horeb.

The Master Agriculturist award is presented to honor not only the selected individuals, but also their families.

"The winners were selected for their proven ability and accomplishments as progressive farmers, as well as for the time, effort and leadership they contribute to community, church and agricultural organizations," said Fran O'Leary, editor of the Wisconsin Agriculturist. "The Master Agriculturist program is the oldest farm awards program in the state, and is one of the longest-running career-achievement honors programs in U.S. agriculture. The award dates to 1930, when Wisconsin Agriculturist first started honoring top Wisconsin farmers for their hard work, dedication, success in farming and exemplary leadership."

Brian Brown

Brian and his wife, Yogi, own Sunburst Dairy near Belleville. They milk and care for 500 Holstein cows and raise 500 Holstein heifers and calves, and, using a variety of conservation techniques, grow crops on approximately 1,000 acres.

Brian grew up on his family's farm near Belleville. Growing up, he participated in 4-H, FFA, was on dairy judging teams, and enjoyed any type of shop class while in high school because, "I ALWAYS knew I wanted to work with cows."

After completing UW Short Course, Brian rented a farm close to the family farm to start building equity in cows and equipment. In 1984, Brian and Yogi purchased an adjoining farm with his parents to make room for his younger brother to farm at the family's home farm.

Brian said he always takes the opportunity to learn, whether it is from UW Extension, neighbors, trade shows, business conferences or even traveling to other countries to teach and learn from other cultures.

After purchasing the farm in 1984, Brian envisioned continued improvement for cow comfort, conservation techniques and labor efficiencies. In 1998, to make this vision a reality, Brian and family chose a new site for the dairy and construction was started on a 300-cow free-stall barn and parlor. In 2007, a second free-stall barn was constructed.

With cow comfort in mind, the couple and employees care for their cows in a sand and sawdust bedded free-stall barn. The cows are milked in a parlor that is adjacent to the free-stall barns. Because of Brian's interest and knowledge of genetics, he breeds the cows for strength and balance with high milk production and components and long life.

Calves are raised on the farm until six-months of age and then are returned to the farm from a heifer grower prior to calving. Brian also believes in employing well-trained staff. The family provides trainings for cow handling, cow psychology and safety, and regularly emphasizes the importance of consistently producing high quality milk and meat and the teamwork, and fun, that is involved.

When growing crops, Brian keeps in mind that he is growing 'cow feed' and not just corn or alfalfa. Currently, he is using no-till, cover crops, and following a manure management plan developed by an independent crop consultant. He uses multiple considerations when selecting herbicide and insecticide spraying in fields, especially near waterways. A consent consideration is improving feed quality and enhancing environmental stewardship.

Brian served as a board member on church council; as a regular bowler with 'Bowling with the Boys', a member of a co-ed volleyball team; too many kids activities to list, but provided all of advantages that he had growing up on a farm to his children and other kids who had an interest in cows, crops or farming. Brian also enjoys hunting and an occasional practical joke or two.

He has served as Young Farmer Group and board member, chair and board member for Accelerated Genetics; 4-H dairy leader for the Belleville Busy Beavers; chair and founding member of the Farmers of the Upper Sugar River Watershed; member and host for Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin; on the Commercial Exhibitor Committee for World Dairy Expo; Hosted international tours for World Dairy Expo; board member for the Union Co-op; board member for Landmark Co-op; host of the Dane County Breakfast on the Farm and Farm to Table Dinner Fundraiser; host for dairy tours for elementary students, international guests, Autism Society, FFA Day on the Farm, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin) buyers and chefs tours, medical doctors in training, dental offices, and UW Extension; host for extending training/shadowing opportunities for young adults from Ireland, Turkey, Germany, Belgium and Wisconsin; and works closely with UW-Madison on research projects: Cow comfort, breeding, hoof care, employee health; and is a trusted resource for state and local media and agricultural organizations.

The couple have four adult children: daughters, Erin and Whitney; sons, Chris (wife Rachel) and Cory (wife Katy); and three grandchildren.

Jeff Hendrickson

Jeff and his wife, Kate, own a 325-acre farm south of Belleville and additional land near Blanchardville. The family milks and cares for 125 Holstein cows and raises 150 heifers and calves. On their 315 acres of cropland, they grow corn, hay, oats, and wheat and follow a conservation plan of three years in corn, one year in oats with new seeding and hay for a minimum of three years.

Jeff knew from a young age that he wanted to be a dairy farmer. After graduating from Pecatonica High School in Blanchardville, he worked as a herdsman for two years before joining his dad and brother on the home farm.

After he and Kate were married, they started farming near Monticello.

In 1991, their milk man mentioned that there was a farm south of Belleville for sale and they looked at it and made the purchase. Cows are milked in a barn with 59 tie stalls and four box stalls. Half of the cows are housed in the tie stall barn and half are housed in a free stall barn.

The Jeffrey-Way herd average is 29,600 pounds of milk with 3.7 percent butterfat and 3.3 percent protein. The breed age average is 112.8, with 56 cows scored Excellent and 49 Very Good.

Jeff focuses on breeding cows with high type, high production, good feet and legs and high cow Total Performance Index that stay productive for years.

The couple has sold cattle to farmers in many states and other countries, including Canada and Japan. Embryos have been exported to Germany, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Hungary, New Zealand, and South America.

While growing up, the couple's children were active in 4-H, Junior Holstein, and showing and judging dairy cattle. During their 30 years of showing, the Hendricksons received numerous awards including Reserve All-American, two All-American nominations; five Junior All-American nominations; and seven Junior All-Wisconsin winners.

The Hendricksons have received 28 consecutive Progressive Breeders Registry awards and have won the Herd of Excellence award three times from Holstein USA. They have won the Distinguished Holstein Breeder Award and the Outstanding Young Holstein Breeder Award from the Wisconsin Holstein Association and were named Wisconsin Dairy Farm Family of the Year.

Besides being a member of the county, state and national Holstein associations, Jeff has been a 4-H leader for 30 years, served on the East Central/Select Sires board for 16 years, served on the Green County Dairy Youth Recognition Auction Committee for 17 years, served on the First United Church of Christ Church Council for four years and served on the Board of Directors for the Green County Holstein Breeders and the Green County Dairy Herd Improvement Association.

The Hendricksons have hosted many 4-H and FFA judging contests and clinics at their farm and have hosted tours for schools and other groups.

The couple have five adult children: sons, Brandon (wife Kim), Trent (wife Kelsey), and Brooks (wife Riley); daughters, Kelsi Mayer (husband Jeremy) and Brienne; and nine grandchildren.

The keynote speaker for the event was author and former professor Jackie Dougan Jackson, a native of Beloit. She spoke about her experiences growing up on a dairy farm and when her family hosted Wisconsin Farm Progress Days in 1961.

Another interesting fact that O'Leary explained is that three farmers who own the top four producing cows in the nation and the world were present at the awards program: Alan Koepke of Oconomowoc, Tom Kestell of Waldo and Wally Behnke of Brooklyn.

"Alan Koepke's cow was the first of those cows, followed by Tom Kestell's cow and then Wally Behnke's cow," said O'Leary. "Behnke's cow died in a barn fire and she was replaced by the granddaughter of Tom Kestell's cow 'My Gold' as the top producing cow in the nation and the world. Alan, Tom, and Wally are Master Agriculturists and, for the first time, the three of them attended the awards program."

If you know someone who you want to nominate, please contact Fran O'Leary at (920) 346-2285, fran.oleary@farmprogress.com or write: Master Agriculturist, Wisconsin Agriculturist, 112 S. Prairie Street, PO Box 236, Brandon, Wisconsin 53919.

2021 Master Agriculturist Brian Brown and family. Front Row (from left): Katy and Kendra, Brian, Yogi and Erin. Back Row (from left): Cory, Whitney and Jerry.

The deadline for nominations for the 2022 Wisconsin Agriculturist awards is December 6, 2021.