Women in Dairy: Bonnie Thoe-Austin

Bonnie Thoe-Austin
Hayfield, Minnesota
Dodge County
42 milking cows in the dairy herd

Tell us about your family and farm. Nifty Holsteins is a seventh-generation dairy farm. We have a small herd but a large family who works together to keep the legacy alive. There is very much a large presence of women in this operation, from the spotted black and white ladies that bring in the milk to my three sisters and me, our mother, my grandmother and the women before us.

What is a typical day like for you on the dairy? A typical day for me is much different from what I would say for most people ... every day is different. Not only do I help operate my parents’ dairy farm, but I also teach woodshop and engineering full time at Cannon Falls High School, coach both of my sons’ basketball teams and run our school’s ski club. A typical day could be waking up at 4:30 a.m., heading to school by 7:30 a.m., coaching basketball or guiding skiers on and off the slopes, only to end up back on the farm by the weekend to pitch in.

What decision have you made in the last year that has benefited your farm? I am here to represent all the women behind this dairy operation; I have three sisters, a mother and grandmother who breathe oxygen and life into our family farm. Recently, my dad had an ankle replacement and a tendon repaired in his thumb that left him 100% out of commission. All my sisters’ families made sacrifices to step up, work together and contribute to keeping this place alive. Women on dairy farms not only are in the dairy barn, but they are also running a family, making the meals, doing the books, operating heavy machinery (my mom is the only one who operates the combine, the chopper and the baler), running kids to sports, navigating difficult decisions, herding cattle and providing love and guidance with a cup of coffee. My sisters, my mom, my grandmother — along with both grandmas were married to dairy farmers — continuously give me so much inspiration and empower me to just keep going.

What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? Working with my parents, my sisters, my boys, my husband and my grandparents. I like being in the elements, the baby animals and the complex simplicity. It is arguably the most beautiful life.

What is your biggest accomplishment in your dairy career? My biggest accomplishment is that I keep showing up, one more day. I am there, giving it my best effort, my love to my family, the cattle and the land is another day this little family dairy operation exists. It is another day to display to my own children what hard work is, to represent something special, to continue a legacy, to be proud of the work I have done, to show my own children what it means to not give up, even when it is hard and every odd is against us. The future of farming or our farm may shift or look different, which is OK, but hopefully, they can see what I saw, believe in the beauty of the fields and the cattle roaming them and take pride in the product we provide. We have pride in the care of our animals and pride in taking care of each other.

What is a challenge in the dairy industry you have faced, and how did you overcome it? The biggest challenge in dairy is that it never ends. Something is always broken, loose, new, old or different. Every day there is a new “problem,” which actually is one of my favorite things. Though challenging, it is never boring.

What advice would you give another woman in the dairy industry? If you’re a woman currently in the dairy industry, you probably don’t need much advice. You are probably independent, confident and not going to let anyone stand in your way. Follow your dreams, trust your instincts and know you’re not alone.