From the Woodlot

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From the Woodlot

Greg Galbraith For Agri-View
Aug 29, 2020
Aug 29, 2020

1 of 5

From left, Flyn the dog, Vance Haugen, retired University of Wisconsin-Division of Extension agricultural agent in Crawford County; and his wife, Bonnie Haugen, Minnesota education coordinator for the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Program; are transitioning ownership of their grass-based dairy farm to their son Olaf Haugen.

Greg Galbraith/For Agri-View

Vance Haugen, a lifelong motorcycle rider, shows Greg Galbraith his skills by taking a quick spin on his farm near Canton, Minnesota, watched over by Red the dog.

Greg Galbraith/For Agri-View

As the Galbraiths leave the Haugen farm they notice cross-bred dairy cows in a soybean field. They call Bonnie Haugen to give her a heads-up.

Greg Galbraith/For Agri-View

The Haugen farm is surrounded by plain-clothes farmers, reflected by oat shocks gracing a nearby field.

Greg Galbraith/For Agri-View

Greg Galbraith

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Greg Galbraith For Agri-View

What is it about an unplanned spontaneous visit with friends that can be so satisfying? We had our bags packed and our camper hooked to our truck. Originally we planned on preparing everything to be ready to leave the following morning to visit our daughter in Ft. Collins, Colorado.

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Greg Galbraith, a former dairy farmer who owns woodlot property in eastern Marathon County, Wisconsin, writes about the rapidly changing nature of the agricultural landscape. He has built a lifetime connection to the land and those who farm it.