He didn’t have cows. He didn’t have feed. He didn’t have equipment. But Darren Luchsinger had a dream of operating a dairy like his great grandfather and grandfather, so he went to work right after he graduated in December 2015 from Monticello High School in Monticello, Wisconsin.

“I spent a lot of time with my grandparents on this farm, and I always enjoyed the cows,” says Darren, who says he feels blessed to live on the farm where his grandparents milked. The barn was empty for five years, and then Darren’s family purchased the farm about two years ago. “My grandpa always had Holsteins, so that’s what I started with. I’ve added some Jerseys to my herd to increase butter fat, which helps with the milk check.”

Because his milk gets sold to family-owned and operated Klondike Cheese Company, components like butter fat are important. Another way Darren is working to increase the butter fat is by feeding high quality forage to his cows. He’s especially looking forward to harvesting his first field of Latham’s LH 9700 alfalfa, which was planted on April 28 with peas and oats.

His grandpa, Gene Luchsinger, enjoys spending time on the farm with Darren and helping do anything that’s related to crops or equipment at Luchland Farms (pronounced Luck-Land. He leaves all the cow care and milking responsibilities in Darren’s hands.

In addition to his grandpa, Darren’s girlfriend helps take care of the calves. Another valuable hand is Annie the Red Heeler. Annie is responsible for bringing cows in from the pasture each morning and evening for milking.

Darren’s short-term plans include growing his herd, which began with 50 cows and has grown to 78. He recently took on a Latham® Seeds dealership to help him reach his goal of buying more cows. He says the dealership also helps diversify his farm income, as well as provides a cost savings on the seed he needs to plant to grow feed for his cows. In fact, all the crops he planted this spring will be fed on his farm.

“The Monticello FFA gave me lots of skills that I’m using,” says Darren, who participated in agronomy, dairy and soils judging. Skills gained in dairy judging are helping him evaluate his cows, and he’s raising all of his own stock. He just started an Angus beef herd with 15 head that he plans to sell direct.

Although he’s working hard to make his dreams a reality, Darren also takes time to serve his community. He began serving as a firefighter in Monticello in high school and is in his third year. He said he came by it naturally because his parents were EMTs and now they’re both firefighters. In fact, his dad is the fire chief.

When he’s not busying dairying or fighting fires, Darren enjoys golfing and hunting for deer or turkeys. He also enjoys grilling and real Wisconsin cheese.

In honor of June Dairy Month and the summer grilling season, today we’re sharing a recipe for Brick Cheese Mexican Wrap. Also be sure to check out the Klondike Cheese Company’s website for unique recipes like the Harvarti Halftime Burger featuring dried cherries like those grown in Door County Wisconsin, and Odyssey® Feta Grilled Beef Filet with Creamed Corn.

Livestock isn’t just her business. It’s her calling and her passion. Raising livestock is a way of life for Jennifer Houston of Sweetwater, Tennessee, who is the 2018 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President-Elect.

“I would like consumers to understand that producers care deeply about the animals we raise. We care about each animal’s welfare,” says Jennifer. “Producing a safe, wholesome product is top of mind. We feed what we raise to our own families, so I want consumers to feel good about feeding safe and wholesome beef to their children. Once consumers understand how hard we work to care for our livestock, it helps deepen their trust.”

As in any relationship, it takes time to earn trust. Jennifer has spent a lifetime earning the trust of fellow producers and consumers alike. She says she was raised to advocate as her father was Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Her father-in-law served as executive director of the Tennessee Livestock Association.

Jennifer credits her involvement in 4-H livestock judging and as a member of the University of Tennessee livestock judging team for helping her develop the confidence needed to defend her beliefs and to state the reasons why she made her decisions. These experiences undoubtedly helped her develop strong public speaking skills.

Those speaking skills have been used to represent the beef industry since Jennifer graduated from college and married Mark Houston, whom she met while they were both majoring in Animal Science at the University of Tennessee. After graduating from college, Mark returned home to help with the family’s livestock auction business that his father had formed in 1962. A few years into their marriage, Jennifer left her job with the USDA and joined Mark in the East Tennessee Livestock Center where a regular sale is still held every Wednesday. Graded feeder calf and Holstein steers sell on Fridays. They also have about 27 special Friday sales each year and offer video sales for producers, who can sell in tractor-trailer load lots.

In addition to the auction business, Jennifer and Mark also run stocker cattle and develop beef heifers.

“I enjoyed showing cattle when I was growing up, and we really had a lot of fun attending shows as a family. My husband didn’t grow up showing, but he really embraced it with our children. Our son and daughter both showed commercial heifers, and it was fun to watch them build a herd,” recalls Jennifer. “There were days when it was 100 degrees in the shade with 90 percent humidity, but our kids had to go out and work with their heifers and steers. They had to find time to get their chores done, even when they had ball practice or games. They learned the importance of keeping their animals properly fed and watered. I believe working together really builds close families.”

Jennifer has served as a tireless advocate for the beef industry while working in the family business, producing beef and raising a family. Jennifer credits her time management skills and work ethic to growing up on a cattle and hog farm. She feels called to serve agriculture and the beef industry that means so much to her.

“Not everyone has the opportunity to be involved in industry organizations because of their situation or their inclination. That’s why it’s so important for those of us who are willing and able to get out and represent our farmer-rancher friends,” explains Jennifer. “I’m involved because I hope to make a difference for the better.”

Jennifer has certainly made her mark throughout the years. In 1986, she became a member of the first Tennessee Beef Industry Council and has served twice as its chairman. Her national involvement began as she represented Tennessee on the Beef Industry Council of the National Livestock and Meat Board. She has been an NCBA board member since 1996, chairing the Foodservice, Advertising and New Product and Culinary Initiative committees. Jennifer has chaired the NCBA Policy Division. She also has served as chair of the Federation of State Beef Councils where she also served on the Beef Promotion Operating Committee and the Meat Export Federation executive committee. She served as Region II Vice-President and was a member of the NCBA executive committee from 1997 to 1999.

At the state level, Jennifer has chaired the Tennessee Livestock Network. She served as president of the Tennessee Cattlewomen’s Association and served on the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association executive committee. She also active in the Tennessee Livestock Marketing Association and serves on the University of Tennessee Regional Advisory Board.

“I’ve been involved with cattle my whole life, so it’s the only way of life I know,” says Jennifer. “Whether you raise crops or livestock, there’s a way to get involved at some level: locally, regionally, state, national. Agriculture needs you! And you get back so much more than you give.”

Even if you don’t have time to get involved on an association board, Jennifer says you can advocate in so many ways: be active on social media, do interviews on radio and/or television, write articles, speak to Rotary or Kiwanis clubs or volunteer to speak in classrooms. Stories that resonate best with consumers are real-life examples of what happens on your farm or ranch.

Consumer also connect with producers through food. Today Jennifer is sharing with us one of her family’s favorite recipes for pan-seared steak in honor of June Steak Month.