Submitted
Farmers' Implement has donated $3,000 in cash and $7,000 in-kind services and equipment to the Dodge County Farm Technology Days show that will be held July 21-23 at Crave Brothers Farm, Waterloo. From left are Steve Moderow, sales manager; Jack Danner, manager; Mark Jacobs, parts manager; John Merfeld, Tent City co-Chair; and Paul Kastenmeier, Farmers' Implement.
Farmers' Implement of Allenton and Columbus has contributed $3,000 in cash and $7,000 in equipment and services to the upcoming Wisconsin Farm Technology Days.
Jack Danner, Farmers' Implement manager, said, "We're happy to contribute to this show. This is the premier event for farmers all around the state and beyond. We look forward to working with the Dodge County volunteers."
Accepting the donation on behalf of the Farm Technology Days executive committee is John Merfeld, Tent City co-chair. Merfeld said, "We appreciate the support from Farmers' Implement. Without contributions from companies like theirs it would not be possible for Dodge County to host an event this big."
Farmers' Implement began in 1913 when several local farmers started it as a co-op. Prior to the most recent sale, Farmers' had a history of being passed from an owner to the company's employees. The business was owned by the Hess family from 1911 until 1975. In 1975 the family sold the business to Dick Heppe who worked at Farmers'.
In 1985, employees Terry Theusch and Dave Schellinger bought the business from Dick Heppe after 10 years of employment.
As Terry and Dave neared retirement, they looked for an investor that could keep the same relationship with customers as well as grow the business.
That lead to the purchase of Farmers' in January 2006 by the Kreilkamp and Danner families. Since buying the business, a second location in Columbus, WI was opened in 2007.
Farm Technology Days will he held July 21 through 23 at Crave Brothers Farm in the town of Portland, near Waterloo. The largest outdoor agricultural show in the state, WFTD features more than 600 exhibitors, a variety of field demonstrations, including, new this year, manure management options. There will be "ride-and-drive" opportunities of farm equipment, demonstrations on auto-steering and much more.
The show has something for everyone including youth, women's activities, a heritage equipment display and plenty of education and entertainment.
Tram tours of the impressive Crave Brothers farm will also take place throughout the three-day event.
More than 600 exhibitors are expected to take part in the show.
To learn more, check out the Web site at dodgefarmtech.com.