The Wegmueller Farm is a fourth-generation Brown Swiss dairy farm located in the heart of Green County Wisconsin. The small herd of cows is rotationally grazed in a series of lush green pastures throughout spring, summer, and fall with many of the girls sporting authentic Swiss cowbells. Instead of the “go big or go home” direction, the Wegmueller Farm diversified to offer farmstays, tours, educational opportunities, equine experiences, and a chance for visitors to connect with the land and learn where real food comes from. The farm is constantly evolving so check back frequently to see what’s new!
Meet the Farmers
Meet Dan Wegmueller!
Dan is the fourth generation of Wegmuellers on the farm. He loves teaching visitors about the farm, connecting with guests, and has the gift of pairing people with the perfect horse! Dan especially enjoys leading rides on the several miles of trails around the farm, usually with Lula the Clydesdale. Dan enjoys writing and interacting with people so you’re sure to meet him during your visit.
Meet Ashley Wegmueller!
Ashley is a natural caretaker and nurturer. She loves caring for the baby calves, tending to her flock of hens at Cluckingham and HENsington Palaces, spending time with the “littles” (the donkeys are her favorite), or working in the garden. Ashley tends to cover the behind-the-scenes items, but enjoys leading the calf feeding portion of farm tours because “Who doesn’t love those cute faces?!?”
MEET Shannon Stricker (and Bruce)!
Shannon is a Monroe native who recently returned to Green County after 10 years in Houston, TX. She attended a U-Pick event at a farm outside the city in late 2019, and it became apparent that surrounded by flowers was where she was meant to be. After reading “about a hundred” books, completing an online flower farming course, and taking approximately 50% of the classes required for an Associates in Horticulture, that’s just where she ended up. Shandy’s Acres is proud to be 100% chemical free, growing and maintaining the blooms with hard work, love, a lot of sweat, and a not insignificant amount of Newfoundland drool. In fact, if you visit, you are likely to see her 140 lb Landseer Newf, Bruce, keeping watch while she works. Shannon calls the garden at Wegmueller Farm her “happy place,” and she could not be more excited to share her love of flowers with you.
meet KYLIE WEGMUELLER!
Kylie is the official farm dog in training! She’s still learning how it all works, but loves everyone she meets! She loves spending time on the farm with all her besties, hanging out in the garden, and most of all…swimming in her pool!
THE FARM's History
Surprisingly enough, the cows haven’t always been brown! In the 1930s the farm was purchased by Dan’s great-grandfather at a sheriff’s auction when the previous owner lost it to bankruptcy during the Depression. In those days there was a wide variety of animals raised on the farm – cows, pigs, chickens, and even sheep.
Eventually, the farm was purchased by Ernest and Ruth Wegmueller (Dan’s grandparents). They continued to raise a variety of animals, as well as their own children. Ernest was definitely a conservationist and was one of the first farmers to adopt practices that can still be found today – contour strips for crops, and the addition of grass waterways to reduce the erosion of soil.
In the 1970s John (Dan’s father) was instrumental in bringing his family’s Swiss heritage to the farm by introducing the Brown Swiss breed. He must have fallen in love with their sweet and docile nature because by the 1980s the herd was purely Brown Swiss! Also focused on conservation, John began to practice “no-till” field work, and continued the techniques his own father began a generation earlier.
John and Becky (Dan’s mother) later took over the farm from Ernest and Ruth. They raised their four children on the farm, with each child taking on their own responsibilities. Each of them learned valuable skills while on the farm that later influenced and championed their future successes. The farm has remained a special place for the family and a way for John and Becky’s grandchildren to experience peace, hard work, and responsibility.
The farm is currently owned by the 4th generation of Wegmuellers. Dan has been milking his own herd of Brown Swiss ladies since Valentine’s Day of 2008 when “Jenny” had her very first calf. Dan has been the force behind continuing his ancestors’ conservation practices. In the mid-2000s he transitioned to a grass-based operation. The milking herd enjoys rotational grazing, which, to them means new pastures all the time! To Dan, that means less milk production, but much happier and healthier cows that tend to live longer than the average cow..
In September of 2018, Dan and Ashley opened the farmhouse doors to guests from all over the world, offering visitors a chance to connect with agriculture. In recent years, many of the different aspects that Dan’s grandparents had on the farm – pigs, chickens, horses, and large gardens – have made a return to the farm! Dan and Ashley always have a new plan “in the works” to continue providing opportunities for visitors to learn more about agriculture, animals, the environment, and healthy food.
Horses have been on the farm throughout the years, but Dan truly understood the human-equine bond when his mom passed away. Becky’s beloved pony Tootsie was instrumental in helping Dan through such a tough time. When Tootsie passed away Dan knew he wanted to include horses into the farm so that visitors could experience that connection. Dan and Ashley began to add more horses to the farm, each with their own story and history, and many from neglected or difficult situations. Each has found their place and purpose on the farm.
In 2023, “The Brumby” became the official equine component to the farm, offering riding lessons, trail rides, and equine interactions for all ages!
Kalee Schaefer came on board in the fall of 2022 as Dairy Herd Manager. Kalee’s love for the cows, paired with her background and education have taken the herd to another level. Kalee has also introduced a few new faces to the farm – visitors notice a few Holstein and Jersey cows that have joined the herd!