Brooks Farms expands its market
By Robert Cloud
A local farm started by a pioneer family 165 years ago has found innovative ways to market its products and sustain its land.
Co-owned and operated by Ron Brooks, his two daughters, Zoey Nelson and Sydney Brooks, are the sixth generation to work on the farm.
“I am responsible for anything with a heart beat,” Nelson said. “That includes cows and people.”
Both women have been active in promoting Wisconsin agriculture.
Nelson was Alice in Dairyland in 2014.
Brooks was Waupaca County Fairest of the Fair in 2017.
Located south of Waupaca, Brooks Farms is committed to preserving the 1,600 acres it operates for future generations.
The land is in a Protection of Agriculture Conservation Easement, which prohibits the land from being sold for commercial, residential or industrial development.
As part of its commitment to preserving the soil, the Brooks also rotate their crops of corn, alfalfa hay and wheat in a 10-year cycle that requires a minimum of tilling.
“We believe in a sustainable model,” Nelson said. “Without that 2 inches of topsoil, we are non-existent.”
As part of their efforts to promote sustainability in agriculture, Brooks Farms became involved in the local farm-to-table movement and began selling directly to consumers.
“Throughout the pandemic, people were experiencing food insecurity,” Nelson said.
Meat prices soared, while the demand for milk dropped because schools and restaurants closed during the pandemic’s first wave in the spring.
“Back in March and April, when covid first hit, the dairy industry took a huge hit,” Nelson said.
She noted that using retired dairy cows for beef is another example of sustainability in agriculture.
A dairy cow can produce 90,000 lbs. of milk in her lifetime, which can be processed into 9,000 lbs. of cheese.
The same cow that spent five years producing milk can later become 600 lbs. of beef.
One reason for the farm-to-table movement is people want to know where their food came from.
“A customer can come in and ask about our cow,” Brooks said. “We can trace back every single day of that cow’s life.”
Brooks said their farm keeps records of the colostrums the calf was fed, the vaccinations she received, how many calves the cow had and her diet.
In addition to conserving the land, Brooks said the animals’ health and welfare are a priority.
Brooks Farms Beef
In September, Brooks Farms began selling beef.
“We have a storefront in our barn and we also sell it at Nelson’s Shell on Churchill Street,” Brooks said.
Niemuth’s Steak and Chop shop in Waupaca processes about two cows every two months for Brooks Farms.
The farm store is closed for the season but open by appointment by calling 920-636-8992 or emailing [email protected].
Brooks Farms Beef also offers gift boxes that contain 2 lbs. of ground beef, 2 lbs. of whole beef burger patties, 1 lb. of Union Star aged white cheddar, two custom LibbyBug cookies and an assortment of chocolates.
The gift boxes can be ordered online at https://brooksfarms1855.com and picked up at the farm store.
Pickup times are scheduled from 3-6 p.m. Dec. 14-15 and Dec. 21-22.
In 2021, Brooks Farms Beef will work with Union Star to produce an aged white cheddar cheese produce with the farm’s milk.