Wisconsin Ag Connection - Manitowoc County Farm Couple Wins 63rd State OYF Award

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Manitowoc County Farm Couple Wins 63rd State OYF Award
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 01/25/2016

An eastern Wisconsin dairy farm couple has been named the winners of the 2016 Wisconsin Outstanding Young Farmer award. Mark and Angie Ulness of Valders earned the title in Eau Claire on Saturday night after competing against five other finalists.

The Ulnesses began their operation after purchasing the farm from Mark's mother in 2002--the same year they were married. At that time, Angie worked for the Holstein Association as a regional field representative, but joined the operation full-time three years later.

Owners of Ragnar Holsteins, Mark and Angie milk 80 Registered Holsteins and farm about 200 acres. They were honored as the Holstein Association's Distinguished Young Holstein Breeders of the Year in 2008. And the farm has earned the organization's Progressive Breeder Award for 19 of the past 20 years.

Mark told Wisconsin Ag Connection that it was very special to earn the OYF award, as their family has a little history with the program.

"Angie's parents, Bill and Clarice Brey, were the state OYF winners in 1989, and one of her uncles did the same two years later," he noted. "We feel the program does a good job of recognizing those who excel in the industry and it was a real honor to have been chosen this year."

The couple has four children. Angie is also involved with the local 4-H program as a dairy leader and a coach for the county Jr. Holstein Association's dairy bowl team, which will be competing at nationals this summer.

Meanwhile, Dan and Sara Diedrich from DePere were named first runners-up for the OYF competition, and were the 2016 'Speak-up for Agriculture' winners. The second runner-ups were Ryan and Katie Richert of Lyndon Station.

Other finalists in the competition included Dan and Sara Griesbach, Stratford; Mike and Mindy McGlynn, Cazenovia; and Josh and Jenny Salentine, Luxemburg

Wisconsin has had 16 national winners in its six-decade history of the program.

The Wisconsin OYF program was developed in 1954 to recognize the younger generation of successful agriculturists in the state. Winners are selected based on progress in their agricultural career, soil and water conservation and contributions to community, state and nation.

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