A century of progress

MANAWA, Wis. — From milking in a log barn in 1924 to milking in a parlor today, the farm that Leroy Bartel’s grandparents started has undergone major transformations over the last 100 years.

Leroy farms with his daughter, Tasha, and his wife, Heidi. The Bartels milk 215 cows and farm 700 acres at Lenaty Dairy near Manawa in the town of Union.

“We’re only the second owners of this farm in 100 years,” Leroy said.

Leroy’s maternal grandparents, Art and Hilda Pietz, purchased the farm May 10, 1924, from Richard Wolfgang. The couple began with 25 Holstein and Guernsey cows. They also raised hogs and chickens.

“My grandma sold eggs once a week at the grocery store in town, and I think she made more money selling eggs than milking cows back then,” Leroy said. “When they died, they had done alright for themselves and had a nice little nest egg.”

Leroy has been coming to his grandparents’ farm ever since he was a little boy.

“When I was growing up, I just loved hearing the rattling of milk cans in the morning,” he said.

Leroy and one of his brothers began farming there in 1979, the year after their grandpa died. Leroy’s brother left the farm in 1981, but Leroy stayed on. His grandma passed away in 1988, and Leroy bought the farm in 1990. Long before that, he bought land down the road.

“Tasha lives here now,” Leroy said. “I never had the pleasure of living here.”

Each generation has made their mark on the operation. Since taking over ownership, Leroy has added on to or updated the farm nine times.

He added onto the barn built by his grandparents in 1952 four times and also added a lean-to for dry cows in 2017. In 1986, he put in a pipeline and brand-new silo unloader. In 2006, Leroy put in a manure pit and built a milkhouse and office. He also added a bigger bulk tank, which was later replaced with a larger one as the farm grew.

Since she could walk, Tasha has been at her father’s side helping him on the farm. In 2009, she returned to the farm after attending Fox Valley Technical College. Today, she has taken the lead in managing the operation as the next generation.

“I had my ideas when I first came on, and now Tasha has her own ideas,” Leroy said. “But her ideas are probably better than my ideas. She talked me into putting in a bunker. Then we added four more to store all the feed for this farm. She has a lot of pull.”

The Bartels built a heifer barn in 2014, and last fall, Tasha repurposed the old milking barn into calf housing. The barn can hold 42 calves in individual stalls.

“We didn’t want to leave this barn empty,” Tasha said. “If it just sits empty, it will fall over.”

Leroy also milked 35 cows at his home farm until 2022, when he and Tasha built a free-stall barn and combined herds. The Bartels had been milking 150 cows and switching four times in the 1952-era barn.

“Tasha wanted a parlor, and I said, ‘No way,’ but eventually gave in,” Leroy said. “My ex-wife, current wife and Tasha were all milking cows together in the parlor at first when we in-stalled it in 2024. They all get along well.”

Cows are milked twice a day in the rapid-release double-10 parallel parlor that was purchased from a neighbor.

“We can milk in 2.5 hours versus six,” Tasha said. “I like to milk my own cows. I raise them from calves and enjoy seeing how they turn out as cows. It’s fun.”

Tasha and Leroy milk together in the mornings.

“My grandpa milked cows until he was 80 years old,” Leroy said. “My father did too, and the plan is that I will also. I’m proud to be a farmer, and I like to still be in the barn and see what’s going on. I had a double hernia operation a few years ago and had to stay home for a few weeks, and I hated it.”

The Bartels ship their milk to Dupont Cheese Inc.

“That’s only the second factory we’ve shipped to since our family has been here,” Leroy said.

The Bartels’ 172-stall, 6-row barn is oriented north to south and naturally ventilated. The barn also features bedded pack maternity and fresh-cow pens. The Bartels are putting the finishing touches on building a wing off the parlor that includes a new office and a bathroom.

“Tasha had her say when it came to plans for the new barn,” Leroy said. “I told those involved, ‘Talk to the daughter.’ There’s been a lot of give and take between us, but it has to be that way in the name of progress. She’s thinking of the future. Some people want others to take over the business, but they won’t give them the reins to do it. My dad and my grandpa let us do our thing, too.”

The Bartels are in the preliminary stages of succession planning.

“I don’t want to sell the farm to Tasha; I want to gift it,” Leroy said. “I want to make sure we both have something.”

Leroy and Tasha own land together. Tasha also owns a few cows and some equipment.

“She signed a lease for a new tractor, and that’s her baby,” Leroy said. “I never thought we’d own a brand-new tractor. I’m allowed to drive it, but I prefer the old one because if it’s not clean when she gets in, oh boy.”

Modernizing while maintaining their farm’s historic charm, the Bartels are forging ahead into the farm’s second century. A combination of old and new is intertwined on a farm where continuous renovations have helped it remain viable.

“I’m amazed at the changes and tickled pink about seeing all that the farm was before to what it is now,” Leroy said. “When I’m done, it will be in good hands.”