Dairy Stream

Learn more about BankFirst.

Real estate is a valuable asset — is your farm up-to-speed on real estate conveyances?

Dairy Stream host Joanna Guza and guest, Attorney Will McKinley, discuss the following topics: 

What is real estate

What gets mistaken for real estate

Different types of ownership

Common legal and tax terms

How land gets transferred

Biggest challenges

Adverse possession

Emerging issues in real estate

Succession planning

Lease agreements

Contracts

Common contract challenges

Advice

 About the guest:

Will McKinley is the President and CEO of Menn Law Firm, a full-service law firm headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin, with one of the state's largest agribusiness legal practices.  Will focuses primarily on helping farms and ag-related businesses with a wide range of legal issues, but in particular, Will enjoys working with farms on business succession planning.   

This is sponsored by the Menn Law Firm.

Resources:

Menn Law Firm Agribusiness resource

Contact Will:  William-Mckinley@mennlaw.com

Common misconceptions about farm succession planning

Step away from the day-to-day and focus on what’s ahead at Dairy Strong, January 13 and 14 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Gain perspective on the markets, policies and innovations shaping dairy. Compare ideas with other farmers, bring your team into the conversation and return home better prepared to make strong decisions for your business. Register today for DairyStrong.org.

Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream.  Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship.

This podcast is produced by the Voice of Milk, a collaboration of individual dairy organizations working to improve the future of dairy farm families. Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing podcast@dairyforward.com.

Learn more about BankFirst.

The Dairy Streamlet is a condensed version of a long Dairy Stream episode and covers the high-level points of the conversation. If this topic interest you, then listen to the full episode on Oct. 7.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest, Will McKinley, President and CEO of Menn Law Firm, cover common legal and tax real estate terms, adverse possession, contracts and advice.

This is sponsored by the Menn Law Firm.

Step away from the day-to-day and focus on what’s ahead at Dairy Strong, January 13 and 14 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Gain perspective on the markets, policies and innovations shaping dairy. Compare ideas with other farmers, bring your team into the conversation and return home better prepared to make strong decisions for your business. Register today for DairyStrong.org.

Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream.  Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship.

This podcast is produced by the Voice of Milk, a collaboration of individual dairy organizations working to improve the future of dairy farm families. Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing podcast@dairyforward.com.

Learn more about Prairie Estates Genetics. 

This first-of-its-kind program provides farmers with the tools and resources needed to streamline the permitting process. 

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guests, Tim Baumgartner and Rick Roden, discuss the following topics:  

Why Maestro was created 

Complexities of the permitting process  

Access to knowledgeable experts 

Proprietary technology platform 

Contact at the appropriate state departments  

Support with permitting timeline  

Support with ongoing compliance  

Communication with Maestro team 

Friends of Maestro  

How to get involved 

About the guests 

Tim Baumgartner is the Chief financial & regulatory officer for Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative. He has worked for Edge since September of 2023 and developed the Maestro Permitting program during his first year with the organization. His previous work experience in agricultural lending and as a Operations manager on a large dairy farm.    

Rick Roden owns and operates Roden Echo Valley Farm, where they milk 1,000 cows in Washington County. Roden Echo Valley recently went through the CAFO permitting process and worked through the Maestro program.  

Learn more about the Maestro Permitting Program.  

Resources: 

Maestro Program 

Contact Tim Baumgartner: tbaumgartner@voiceofmilk.com  

Josh Meissner’s experience with Maestro  

Past episode: DBA members help prevent local ordinance 

Step away from the day-to-day and focus on what’s ahead at Dairy Strong, January 13 and 14 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Gain perspective on the markets, policies and innovations shaping dairy. Compare ideas with other farmers, bring your team into the conversation and return home better prepared to make strong decisions for your business. Register today for DairyStrong.org.

 Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream.  Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship. 

This podcast is produced by the Voice of Milk, a collaboration of individual dairy organizations working to improve the future of dairy farm families. Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing podcast@dairyforward.com.

Learn more about Prairie Estates Genetics. 

The Dairy Streamlet is a condensed version of a long Dairy Stream episode and covers the high-level points of the conversation. If this topic interest you, then listen to the full episode on September 23. 

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guests, Tim Baumgartner of Edge and dairy farmer Rick Roden, discuss why Maestro was created, complexities of the permitting process, six benefits of Maestro and how to get involved. 

Learn more about the Maestro Permitting Program.  

Step away from the day-to-day and focus on what’s ahead at Dairy Strong, January 13 and 14 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Gain perspective on the markets, policies and innovations shaping dairy. Compare ideas with other farmers, bring your team into the conversation and return home better prepared to make strong decisions for your business. Register today for DairyStrong.org.

Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream.  Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship. 

This podcast is produced by the Voice of Milk, a collaboration of individual dairy organizations working to improve the future of dairy farm families. Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing podcast@dairyforward.com.

Learn more about Prairie Estates Genetics. 

Dairy Stream and the Menn Law Firm are proud to present the third annual “How We Got Here” podcast series featuring dairy farmers sharing the history of their farm and steps they have taken to get to where they are today.

Dairy Stream host Joanna Guza and guests, Dave and Chris Buck, fourth and fifth generations at Buck's Unlimited, discuss early influences, improvements to be better the farm, challenges, financial preparations and the future for the farm and dairy industry.

This three-part series is sponsored by the Menn Law Firm.

About the guests:

Dave Buck, fourth generation to own Buck's Unlimited in Minnesota, where they milk 1,700 cows and farm 2,000 aces.  

Chris Buck, fifth generation, along with his brother DJ, to own Buck's Unlimited. Chris’s role on the farm is day-to-day manager of feed, young stock and feedlot.  

Season 1: How We Got Here (2024):

How We Got Here: Norm E Lane in Chili, Wisconsin

How We Got Here: Solhawk Dairy in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

How We Got Here: Verhasselt Farms in Kaukauna, Wisconsin

Season 2: How We Got Here (2025):

How We Got Here: Ocooch Dairy in Hillsboro, Wisconsin

How We Got Here: Melichar Broad Acres in Port Washington, Wisconsin

How We Got Here: Scheps Dairy in Almena, Wisconsin

Season 3: How We Got Here (2026):

How We Got Here: Bomaz Farms in Hammond, Wisconsin

How We Got Here: Ripp's Dairy Valley in Dane, Wisconsin

Step away from the day-to-day and focus on what’s ahead at Dairy Strong, January 13 and 14 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Gain perspective on the markets, policies and innovations shaping dairy. Compare ideas with other farmers, bring your team into the conversation and return home better prepared to make strong decisions for your business. Register today for DairyStrong.org.

Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream.  Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship.

This podcast is produced by the Voice of Milk, a collaboration of individual dairy organizations working to improve the future of dairy farm families. Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing podcast@dairyforward.com.