Dairy's Working Youth

Maddy Hensel
Parents: Mike Hensel and Paula Hensel
Employer: Stephanie Hughes, Sunsett Dairy
Red Blossom Farm, intern at Sunsett Dairy
Pittsville, Wisconsin
Wood County
Owns 10 Red and White Holsteins with sisters, 65 cows at Sunsett Dairy
Senior at Pittsville High School

Questions for employer
Tell us your favorite experience of Maddy helping with chores. Dairy farming isn’t always roses and lollipops; we experience tough days. Maddy has had her fair share of experiences, good days and bad, on our farm. Some may say the bad days would be their least favorite, but these experiences are real and teach her so much. She stays calm during the difficult situations and is not afraid to call or ask for help. She’s here to see many calves take their first breath and shared tears with us when others took their last. We are glad she has had so many physical and emotional experiences on a dairy farm.
         
What qualities does Maddy have that benefit the farm? Maddy is a great employee and is willing to learn new things. She goes above and beyond to help us when we need her. She is extremely attentive and listens well to instructions. She cares for our animals as if they are her own. We can trust her and believe in her to care for our herd so we can get away once in a while. We cherish the relationships we build with our employees. Maddy will stop by just to say hello or hang out with us. We love her like family.

Questions for Maddy
What are your responsibilities on the farm? I focus on raising our heifers. I watch growth, make nutrition goals and train heifers for shows. In my internship at Sunsett Dairy, I am learning more about nutrition, breeding, veterinary diagnostics, career opportunities in the industry and more. I also help the Hughes family at Sunsett Dairy with their everyday chores: milking, feeding calves and whatever needs done around the farm.

When did you begin helping on the farm? My sisters and I have been raising and developing our herd of Red and White Holsteins, under the Red Blossom prefix, for 11 years. We manage our small herd as a team and appreciate elite red genetics, longevity, milk production and showing quality animals. Our animals are boarded at Sunsett Dairy in Pittsville, Wisconsin, and at Dorsland Farms in Junction City, Wisconsin, where my older sister, Hannah, is the herdsman. I farm with my sisters, Hannah and Grace. We work with the Hughes family: Stephanie and Alan, and their sons Bryce, Gavin and Derek. We are grateful to have the opportunity to learn from the Hughes family.

How do you balance school, extracurricular activities and farm chores? I work alongside my sisters to manage our herd of show cattle. I have developed time management skills and stay organized to stay active in many activities. My family is supportive and encourages me to be involved in organizations. I also work for Memory Lane Farm as a youth apprentice. Memory Lane Farm is a faith-based non-profit providing mentoring, agriculture educational camps, opportunities for foster and kinship families, social events and more. I plan these events, work alongside the executive director with program development, interact with all demographics and manage marketing. I enjoy fostering kittens with my family for the Feline/Canine Friends Program. I am a member of Pittsville FFA and Pittsville National Honor Society, serving as president for my second term in both organizations, and the Pittsville FCCLA and FBLA chapters. I am class president on student council and serve as the student representative on the Pittsville School District School Board. I am involved in the Wood County and national Holstein associations, competing in dairy quiz bowl, jeopardy and public speaking contests. I am serving as the Wisconsin Holstein Association Princess. This opportunity has given me the platform to advocate for the dairy industry and spread my passion of raising registered show cattle.

How has working on the farm shaped your character? Working in the dairy industry has helped me become more physically and mentally tough. It has been a challenging but fun experience, teaching me how to troubleshoot problems, be brave and learn how to both be independent and work as a team.

What do you love most about farm life? I love being able to watch calves grow into productive, quality cows. It shows that hard work pays off, and it teaches many life lessons. My sisters and I are proud of our bred and owned junior animals. We strive to improve our herd with every decision.

What is one thing you have learned from working alongside your employer? At Sunsett Dairy, Stephanie has taught me to learn something new every day. Whenever I am at my internship, I learn something new about current events in the industry, common ailments in cattle, nutrition, genetics, showing, equipment or technologies. I truly have cherished the opportunity to learn and grow as a young adult in the dairy industry.

What are your future plans? After high school, I plan on attending college for agricultural marketing or communications.