The Post-Crescent, Appleton, Wis., Business Q&A Column
By Pete Bach, The Post-Crescent, Appleton, Wis.
Jan. 3–FASHIONING A CAREER IN DAIRY
Who: Deb Reinhart, Charlestown
Age: 55
Current occupation: Co-owner and dairy manager (with husband, David Geiser) of Gold Star Farms, large dairy farm southeast of Chilton
Former occupation: Fashion sales executive in Washington, D.C., area
Deb Reinhart calls herself a “blossom where I’m planted kind of person.”
Chat with her a few minutes, and the truth of that takes root. The Pennsylvania native and former fashion buyer moved to Wisconsin in the mid-1970s and dug right in. Earlier this year, she landed the 2007 World Dairy Expo Dairy Woman of the Year Award.
QUESTION: What was your reaction when you learned you had been named to the honor by the state association that draws an international agriculture follow-ing to its annual Madison convention?
ANSWER: When they called me in March, I was speechless. People who know me know I’m not frequently speechless. My goal in life when I graduated from Drexel (Philadelphia) in design and merchandising was to be a buyer for a department store. So at 50something, to get that really surprised me. A lot of great, great woman have gotten that award and to be mentioned in the same breath as some of those ladies was very humbling to me.
Q: You’ve built the farm from 80 Holsteins to a 250-cow dairy herd. What do you rank as your greatest satisfactions?
A: Working with my husband on the land. This is a family farm, my husband’s passion. It’ll be 100 years old in 2012. Dave’s mom and dad worked this land. We raised our family (three sons) here. We’re fortunate because of the excellent staff we have.
Q: What was your biggest disappointment?
A: In 2000, on May 12, Chilton was hit by hail and straightline winds. The whole north side of our home was destroyed. Our freestall barns went down in the storm and our cows were running all over. We dumped bloody milk for three days. It was a very difficult time for us. But we rebuilt.
Q: You’re known in agricultural circles for your perennial and vegetable gardens as well. Can you talk about that?
A: My garden is kind of my therapy. Digging in the dirt does something for my soul.
Q: You’re very involved in policy making bodies for agricultural and land use issues. Why is that?
A: We want to make a difference. We came to realize decisions are made by people who show up. David and I are always going to classes, re-educating. That’s an underlying philosophy in my life. That’s done me good stead.
Q: What will happen to the farm? Is there going to be a chance to pass this on in the family?
A: I don’t there’s going to be an opportunity to do that. We would probably be selling the farm in five years. We’ve set a goal to retire in five years. Our dream is to move down to Lake Michigan and own property on Lake Michigan.
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Copyright (c) 2008, The Post-Crescent, Appleton, Wis.
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