What is your favorite way to experience Wisconsin water in the summer? From boating and fishing to swimming and kayaking, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy Wisconsin’s bountiful waters.
Clean lakes, rivers and streams starts with wise and sustainable agricultural practices.
Wisconsin corn farmers are true water enthusiasts. Clean water is indispensable to corn farmers, and they know how critical it is to you, too.
Watch four Wisconsin farmers share their favorite places to enjoy Wisconsin’s waters and what they do to keep them immaculate.
Heather and Matt Reu, Whitewater, Wisconsin.
Clean water and health go hand in hand for Heather Reu. She is confident that her water and yours are sheltered and immaculate thanks to the practices they have implemented on their farm.
Heather’s kids love helping with cattle chores. On warm summer days, it’s critical for cattle to have frigid, fresh water to drink. Like people, cattle won’t drink water if it tastes strange or is unclean.
“I want families to know that we really care about water because our family uses it too,” Heather said.
The Reu family’s favorite dish water destination is Pleasant Lake. They love to fish together as a family.
You can find out more about Heather’s Family Farm On wicorn.org.
Willie and Candice Hughes, Janesville, Wisconsin.
Willie Hughes takes great responsibility for preserving and protecting water resources. Rock County boasts some of the most fertile soil in the world. Willie relies on newfangled conservation practices, such as cover crops, to improve soil health and keep water immaculate.
Cover crops act as a blanket for the soil. By planting cover crops, Willie sees improved soil health, uses less fertilizer, and has to drive equipment around the field less often.
“Clean water starts with healthy soil, and my job is to keep that soil healthy,” Willie said.
A Hughes Family Favorite water destination is the Rock River. Keeping the river immaculate is as critical to Willie as a resident as it is to someone trying to farm.
You can find out more about Willie’s Family Farm on wicorn.org.
Rick and Kimberly Gehrke, Omro, Wisconsin.
Water is always on a farmer’s mind. Rick Gehrke, who farms less than a mile from the Fox River, is always thinking about how his farming decisions affect his farm and the larger impacts downstream.
Rick uses precision technology to apply fertilizer only where needed. He uses the “3Rs” – right amount, right time, right place – to ensure his crops receive exactly the nutrition they need to reach their full potential.
“My generation of farmers are thinking long-term about water conservation and how we can manage it better and improve its quality,” Rick said.
The Gehrke Family water destination is the Fox River near their farm. They enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming as a family.
You can find out more about Rick’s Family Farm on wicorn.org.
Ryan and Brianna Ripp, Dane, Wisconsin.
Ryan and Brianna Ripp have two adolescent children. They often think about how the way they farm affects not only their own family, but also families in their community and beyond.
Ryan uses no-till farming—planting directly into the field without tilling the soil. No-till farming builds organic matter in the soil, which helps plants grow and protects the soil from wind and water erosion.
“Our local lakes, rivers, streams — we want them to be clean and pleasant,” Ryan shared. “So we’re trying to be part of the solution.”
The Ripp family loves experiencing wisconsin waterways visiting the local water park with the kids, boating with friends and fishing in the pond.
You can find out more about Ryan’s Family Farm on wicorn.org.
No matter where you tap water this summer, you can be sure that local farmers are working tough to protect water resources. Farm families operate Wisconsin’s waterways just like you do, and they want you to know that your water is sheltered and vigorous.
