Scott Williams, swilliams@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader Photo by Scott Williams The Outstanding Young Farmers of 2016 are, back row, Amy and Derick Zernicke, shown with their children, from left, Allison, Chloe, Jack and Hailey.
Leader Photo by Scott Williams All of the award winners and scholarship winners gather Friday at the conclusion of the Shawano County Agricultural Awards Banquet at the Main Event in Cecil.
Derick and Amy Zernicke of the town of Lessor were recognized Friday as 2016 Outstanding Young Farmers during the 59th annual Shawano County Agricultural Awards Banquet.
The Zernickes told a crowd of about 150 people at the banquet that farming always has been about family for them, and it is more so every day.
The couple’s four children — Hailey, 10, Allison, 8, Jack, 7, and Chloe, 5 — all are finding ways to involve themselves increasingly in the family’s dairy farm.
Noting how each child has figured out how to contribute, Derick Zernicke proudly told the banquet gathering, “We get everything done.”
He and his wife also pointed out that they have enjoyed the backing of other family members as well.
“Everybody’s talking about family support — we’re very blessed to have a lot of it,” he said.
In partnership with Delmar and Dan Zernicke, the young couple operates Zernicke’s Landstad Dairy, milking 410 Holsteins and raising their own replacement young stock of about 400 head.
The Zernickes operate 1,159 acres with crops that include alfalfa, corn, soybeans and wheat.
The farm has been following a nutrient management plan since 2005, and in 2007 the Zernickes completed one of Shawano County’s first comprehensive nutrient management plans, which evaluated their facilities for animal production, environmental issues and other concerns.
The children attend St. Paul Lutheran School in Bonduel, where Amy is in charge of the Scholastic Book Fair. The whole family is active in the Landstad 4-H Club, and Amy is president of the Bonduel FFA Alumni.
The agricultural awards banquet was held Friday at the Main Event restaurant and banquet hall in Cecil.
Other honors announced during the banquet include the following:
• Dennis and Sally Rank, owners of The Main Event, were honored with the Friends of Agriculture award. The couple farmed in the town of Washington until stray voltage problems harmed their herd and led to their losing the farm in the 1980s. They rebounded in the restaurant business and have remained close to the farming community. Recounting the couple’s past struggles, Dennis Rank told the crowd: “It’s good now. Life is good.”
• Robert and Doreen Krause, who operate a farm in the town of Green Valley and Angelica, won the Soil and Water Conservation Award. On their 450-acre farm, the Krauses have distinguished themselves with their efforts at protecting natural resources, reducing soil erosion, practicing nutrient management and other conservation measures.
• Terry Seidl was recognized as Tree Farmer of the Year for his active do-it-yourself care and management of trees on the farm he has operated since 1995. Seidl has maintained trails, removed ironwood and conducted wildlife and recreational activities on his property.
• Maurice Rehn, owner of Rehn’s Dairy Equipment, received the Second Miler Award for his years of extra efforts serving his customers in the agricultural community.
• Area students Cassy Bonin, Ashley Bergsbaken and Kathryn Kugel were all awarded Shawano County Farm Bureau scholarships.