BECAUSE I APPRECIATE family dairy farms and because I am grateful to Ron and Diane Wegner and their daughters, Brianna and Kaylee, for opening their farm to area residents, here are more photos from “A Day on the Farm.” The Wegners hosted this event on Saturday in rural Rice County, Minnesota. Click here to see additional photos from my first post.
The beautiful old barn on the Wegners’ third-generation family farm.
The Wegners milk 50 registered Holsteins.
This scene inside the barn caught my farm girl eye.
Fence leaning and wagon towing.
Twins Kelly and Emily, almost two, visit the farm with their dad.
Rice County Dairy Maid Kelsey Kuball applies a temporary tattoo to a young visitor’s arm.
A farm cat that was just a wee skittish with about 600 strangers wandering around the farm.
Rice County Dairy Princess Kaylee Wegner waits for kids to arrive for a photo shoot with the calf.
A trio of silos next to the Wegners’ barn.
My favorite outbuilding, to the left.
Copyright 2013 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
You are making me miss as well as recall the memories of growing up on a farm. Great Captures!!!
That would be part of my intention for former farm dwellers. Glad you’re enjoying this visit to the Wegners’ farm.
I really like that third photo, I noticed the yellow rotary phone…very cool. Nothing better than farm photo’s, thanks for sharing.
That is actually one of my favorite photos, too, because of the lighting, the composition and the subject matter. It just made me think of my dad. And I’m glad you noticed that yellow rotary dial phone, another reason I shot this image. Great eye, Jackie. But I would expect nothing less from you.
Although I grew up in the St.P./Metro, we visited cousins on the farm in Alden (MN). Really fun/great memories of visits to a “foreign” world for this city gal!!! (Who moved to a rural home and milked cows, had pigs, sheep, chickens, ducks, turkeys rabbits and anything else we could figure to put here….why? Cuz it’s a “farm” and it was the ’70’s!!!).
You really were a flower child/hippie type, weren’t you?
You should see the photos!!! ROFL!!!! Caused my parents to shake their heads in wonderment (not always pleased!).
I can only imagine. Would love to see some of those photos. You should do a back to the 70s post on your Treadle Music blog.
I will take that suggestion under advisement! I’m not sure even I want to revisit it!!! LOL!
“Under advisement,” uh, huh? Is that kind of like a mother telling a child, “We’ll see?” Kids know what that means, and it isn’t “yes.”
Ooops! Forgot, for a moment, I was in convo with a ‘mother’!!! ROFL!!!!!
LOL.
Thanks for sharing these photos Audrey. Stearns and Benton counties host Breakfast On The Farm. We went to the breakfast in Avon and it was quite the operation. Everything was automatic. The cows even decide when they want to be milked. I grew up in town in western MN and was surrounded by farming, but this was a great experience for my children.
We were at an Amish farm this past weekend. The gentleman said that next time I come he would give my kids a buggy ride. Hope there’s room for me because I want a ride too!
Oh, Erin, how I would like to be on that Amish farm and go for a buggy ride, too. What a great opportunity for your kids, and maybe you, too.
Yes, the dairy industry has changed in the decades since I left the farm. I noticed right away that the cows’ tails are cut short. No more slaps in the face or tails to swat away flies. But then I didn’t notice any flies, except dead ones clinging to a string running overhead along the barn aisle.
I just learned that two Amish families hosted Open Houses. Unfortunately, I learned of it after the fact. We are participating in their CSA so I suggested they have a CSA Day at the Farm. They are very friendly and are willing to answer my never ending questions.
Open houses on Amish farms? Now that is getting a bit more modern. If only I lived closer…
They sell their goods to a local food co-op and I wonder if they are the ones to suggest it since it is a new concept. They had a really good reception and it was a great opportunity for them to sell their baked goods, CSA shares, and custom buildings/sheds.
You are likely right on where the open house concept originated. Sounds like the Amish in your area are doing a good job of marketing themselves, with a little help.
I LOVE Holsteins!!!!! What a great idea to open up a farmie for folks to come check it out! Love all the “dairy royalty” that was there and that children had a chance to experience something that they might never get to experience otherwise. Great idea and hats off to the Wegners for hosting this!
And it was one beautiful day, between rain, to be out on the farm.
Thanks for sharing Audrey! Great pictures; you captured some of my favorite things about the farm. I especially enjoyed your last picture, that is my favorite building too… besides the barn of course! Thanks for coming out on Saturday!
You are most welcome, Kaylee. I totally enjoyed my visit to your family’s dairy farm. Brought back so many memories of growing up on a southwestern Minnesota dairy farm. “A Day on the Farm” was a great event. I saw so many families and grandparents with grandchildren totally enjoying themselves. Well done.