Women in Dairy: Taylor Witt

Taylor Witt 
Little Falls, Minnesota
Morrison County 
200 cows

Tell us about your family and farm. We are a fourth-generation family farm. My parents, three brothers and I help on the farm.

What is a typical day like for you on the dairy?  I help milk and feed calves in the mornings and nights and work from home during the day.

What decision have you made in the last year that has benefited your farm? This year, we started selling our excess colostrum, creating additional revenue for the farm.

Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. When my family transitioned from milking in a tiestall barn to a parlor and freestall barn.

What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? It teaches accountability and good work ethic. It also keeps you connected with nature and the simple way of life.

What is your biggest accomplishment in your dairy career? In college, I was a part of North Dakota State University’s Dairy Club, where we did a lot of advocacy for the dairy industry. One of the events we hosted was the annual Midwest Regional American Dairy Science Association - Undergraduate Student Division. My senior year, our club was in charge of setting up the event and hosting schools from the Midwest. The event had a quiz bowl competition, industry speakers and various presentations.

What are things you do to promote your farm or the dairy industry? I work for the Minnesota Dairy Initiative. This allows me to work side by side with farmers, helping them make the best decisions for their business.

What advice would you give another woman in the dairy industry? Everyone’s job is just as important as another’s, and everyone contributes to the dairy industry in different ways.

What is a challenge in the dairy industry you have faced and how did you overcome it? Coming out of college wanting to work in the dairy industry, there was low job availability for careers supporting the dairy industry. Trying to find a job that allowed me to still contribute to the farm was hard to find. Luckily, my job now with the Minnesota Dairy Initiative allows me to do both.

When you get a spare moment, what do you do? In the winter, I am a head coach for the Little Falls High School Dance team. In the summer, my husband and I enjoy taking our paddle boat out on the lake.