GREENLEAF (NBC 26) — Collins Dairy has been preparing to welcome the community onto their farm for weeks.
“It’s just a way of seeing how dairy farms go," said Kevin Collins. "And you can get a little insight into our lives.“
The first-generation farm family planned to host Brown County’s Dairy Breakfast last year, when it was canceled due to COVID. It's just given Collins more time to figure out the message he wants to share this Sunday.
“A lot of people get misled, be it the factory farms or whatever," he said. "90 percent of the farms are family farms that grew bigger. Some people say we have a family farm. We say we have a farm family.“
Kevin and Lisa Collins started out in 1993 with 40 cows; now, they have 1400. With breezy barns and water misters, Collins Dairy is where the tradition of farming meets modern innovation.
“The better we treat our animals, the more productive they are for us," said Collins.
At this year's breakfast, there will be a petting zoo, an antique tractor display, and of course, a delicious dairy breakfast. Different this year, cars coming in will take a driving tour through the barns and around the farm, tuning their radios in to get all the information.
“This is allowing you to keep your social distance in the comfort of your own vehicle," said Jennifer Bartkowski, Coordinator for Brown County Dairy Promotions. "You’re already in your pod. You get all the same information as if you rode the farm tour wagon any other breakfast. You just aren’t sitting on a hay bale, you aren't having the wind blowing in your hair, you aren't getting sweaty and sun burnt.“
Every dollar raised at the breakfast helps fund agriculture education for the entire year, said Bartkowski.
“Dairy of course is a deep rooted part of our Wisconsinite history," she said. "And we can celebrate that every day.“
The tradition is just a way to keep the love of dairy alive, said Collins.
“Gives you just joy to have your family alongside you and be able to spend the days together," he said.
This year's event would not be made possible without the countless volunteers and sponsors, Collins added.
The Brown County Dairy Breakfast on the Farm will go from 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday. Collins dairy is located at 3489 hill road in Greenleaf. Tickets are $7 for adults, $4 for children ages 5-10 and free for kids 4 and under. You can find more information here.
