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Payton Havlik
Parents: Brent and Sarah Havlik
Norwalk, Wisconsin
Monroe County
60 Cows
Brookwood High School
18 years old

Questions for parents:
Tell us your favorite experience of working with your son. He shows interest in the cattle. You can really tell he has a love for the cows and that’s good to see.

What qualities does your son have that benefit the farm? He knows how to work. We all know he’s not going to be a farmer for life, but he still helps, shows willingness and gets to work without anyone begging him to help.

Questions for youth:
What are your responsibilities on the farm? I get anything done that needs to be done. I clean the barn, feed the cows, get the cows from the pasture and do anything in the field.

When did you begin helping on the farm and why? I began in third grade when we started farming. I came because my brother and sister were coming, so I tagged along and helped.

How has working on the farm shaped your character? It’s made me learn to accept to work hard. When I was a little kid, I didn’t like coming to the farm. It was just a bunch of hard work, and I didn’t want to do it. Over the years, I accepted there are things you have to do, so I just work hard and get it done then move on to the next thing.

What do you love most about farm life? I really like the cows. Each one has a different personality. I just sit and watch them sometimes because they are so funny. Each one is different and there are so many little things about them that I like. They are just nice; I love them.

What is one thing you have learned from working alongside your parents? I’ve learned to read my dad’s emotions. When farming, sometimes emotions can get high, and there are times you just keep your mouth shut and do your job and not say anything. Read the room, basically.

What are your future plans? I think I will go to college and get a degree in something, but I don’t know what yet. I’ll probably start with a technical school and take classes while I figure out what I want to do.

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