Seizing moments to stand up for farming

Don Meyer has never been the type of person to attend a town hall meeting.

In that regard, he’s probably not unlike most of us. After all, when you put yourself out there, you are exposed to ridicule and personal attack. Who wants that?

But when Don heard that a former state Department of Natural Resources official with a strong dislike for large dairy farms was going to give a presentation in the Town of Ixonia in Jefferson County, “I felt I had to go and become involved,” Don told me.

Don, owner and president of Rock River Laboratory, a DBA member, is passionate about Ixonia, where he and his wife built a home and raised a family. He also strongly favors agriculture, in which his family business is rooted.

Don did not sit quietly at the meeting, although he remained respectful, while challenging assertions about the environmental impact of large farms. It’s hard to know whether Don changed the minds of others in the room, but at minimum he presented an alternative view.

Fortunately, there are others in the agricultural community who summon up the courage to push back against misinformation.

Zach Sutter, a nutrient management planning specialist at DBA member Rio Creek Feed Mill in Algoma, took an opportunity after listening to a talk in Sturgeon Bay by a current DNR regulator about proposed phosphorous limits for the Anhapee River.

The presenter commented about current nutrient management practices versus those in the Middle Ages. A resulting news story included the remark. In an email, very professional in tone, Zach expressed his concern that people would misunderstand the reference and recommended that a better word choice be used in the future.

The presenter was conciliatory and expressed disappointment that his comment as published was out of context. He extended an apology to the farmers and Zach’s colleagues and wrote that he has great respect for their work.

“We both gained a deeper respect for each other’s perspective. So, it turned out to be a positive,” Zach said.

A piece of advice from Don for when you decide to speak out: “Stick to facts and remember that all people deserve to be treated with respect, even when it’s difficult.”

Zach offers this: “Understand who you’re dealing with and how best to engage that person.”

Thanks, Don and Zach, for setting a wonderful example.

Don Meyer

Zach Sutter