Near Lake Wisconsin on the fringes of the Driftless Region lies the Fifth Generation Homestead Farm in Lodi Wisc. For 125 years and across multiple generations, the Miller family has dedicated themselves to producing high-quality milk and fostering land stewardship. Recently, the farm proudly hosted the Columbia County Moo Day Brunch for the third time, welcoming hundreds from near and far.
Siblings Tyler and Samantha Miller represent the farm’s fifth generation and work in collaboration with their parents, John and Dawn Miller. After spending time away, both Tyler and Samantha found themselves at home on the farm. Tyler served in the Marine Corps while Samantha attended UW-Platteville followed by working for the Lodi Veterinary Hospital. “Our dad was adamant that we gain perspectives and experience off the farm before returning. Farming wasn’t my original plan; but once I left, I realized what I ultimately wanted to do.” Samanatha shared.
At the farm’s 1899 inception, the founding family milked a modest 30 cows. Today, they milk 225 cows, a mix of Jersey and primarily Holstein using a state-of-the-art robotic milking system. The upgrade to automation in 2015 brought increased flexibility, peace of mind and advanced tracking capabilities for both the farmer and cow. Samantha amusingly shared, the cows are milked an average of 2.8 times per day. The family recently introduced a new freestall barn, providing comfortable sand bedding and cooling fans utilized in the warmer months.
Sustainability is at the heart of the Miller’s approach, and Tyler plays a pivotal role as a farmer leading the Lake Wisconsin Farmer Watershed Council. This council seeks solutions to advance farming practices that reduce soil erosion, improve nutrient management and work to improve surface water quality. The Council encourages farmers to use more cover crops and to implement low-disturbance manure injection (LDMI) whenever feasible. The LDMI practice ensures the nutrients are placed directly into crop’s root zone, preventing runoff at the soil surface. This past spring, the Miller’s hosted a Cover Crop Field Day on the farm to learn about cover crops and see hands-on demonstrations with a University of Wisconsin Extension Specialist.
The Miller Family is always working to maximize their resourcefulness. To avoid purchasing external feed, they manage the herd-to-land ratio carefully, ensuring that their land can sustainably produce all the needed food. The only supplementation comes in the form of protein to round out the cows’ diet. Additionally, the Miller’s manage their own manure hauling and have transitioned to artificial insemination, prioritizing safety and efficiency.
“We do everything to enhance cow comfort, produce the best product and take care of the land. Our family doesn’t strip the land; we give back and are leaving it better for the next generation,” Samantha emphasized.
The Homestead Farm has been an integral part of the Foremost Farms dairy cooperative since its inception. Samantha proudly shared, “Our patron number is 40. It feels good to know where our milk goes and the products it goes into producing.”
The Lake Wisconsin Farmer Watershed Council is committed to their mission by hosting educational projects throughout the year. To learn more about the Lake Wisconsin Farmer Watershed Council and stay up to date with upcoming events click here.