Meet Brian Ulness, Dairy Field Representative
Meet Brian Ulness, a Dairy Field Representative at Foremost Farms who has dedicated an extraordinary 38 years to the cooperative. Throughout his career, Brian has supported our member farms with pride, building strong relationships and helping ensure they have the resources they need to succeed. As he concludes his tenure as a field rep, Brian reflects on the highlights of his journey with Foremost Farms and the skills he’s gained along the way.
What originally inspired you to become a Field Rep, and what brought you to Foremost Farms?
Back in 1981, I started out as a member alongside my brother with Foremost Farms’ predecessor, Golden Guernsey Dairy. For seven years I milked 65 cows at a farm a few miles from my house, which made the workdays seem longer than they were. Eventually I reached out to the cooperative’s president to ask about becoming a field representative, and a year later I officially started my new role. When Foremost Farms was established in 1995, I stayed on as a Field Rep and have been working here ever since!
What are you most proud of accomplishing throughout your time at Foremost Farms?
Awhile back, some Waukesha farms failed an important Interstate Milk Shippers Federal Survey. That experience made me realize the importance of compliance and the cost of failure. I’m proud that since I started in this role, every survey I served as the primary field rep for a farm has passed.
What has been the most rewarding part of working with our members over the years?
It’s all about the people and the relationships I’ve developed. I value having their trust in doing my job each day, as well as sharing my opinion or knowledge about quality issues or running a business. I especially enjoyed learning about wash systems and troubleshooting cleaning problems. Equipment dealerships appreciated that I took the time to be there and report back to them if something wasn’t right.
What will you miss most about this role and the people you’ve worked with?
I’ll miss the daily contact with members, especially those outside my home territory that I’m less likely to run into. I’ve truly enjoyed working with everyone throughout my career. However, I will not miss cold winter days and traveling on bad roads!
What knowledge or advice would you want to pass on to new field reps entering the industry?
Always give your best effort and never lose sight of who you’re really working for – our members.
What are you most looking forward to in retirement?
I’m looking forward to not being on call 24/7 where plans can change at the drop of a hat. I have several projects at home that I can focus on and am excited to spend more time at our family’s lake cottage. I’m also eager to get reacquainted with the seats of some John Deere equipment at my brother and nephew’s farm where I grew up.
For over 30 years, I’ve also worked as a high school and college sports official. I’ve always felt that my job as a field rep and officiating complemented each other when it came to communicating in tense situations. Those same skills apply to assisting a farmer who may be upset about a given situation.
I plan on officiating as long as my body says it’s okay!
Thank you, Brian, for your 38 years of dedicated service to Foremost Farms!
