Dan Brick - Committed to Soil Health, Water Quality & Carbon Neutral Milk Production

Dan Brick is a fifth-generation farmer in Greenleaf, Wisconsin who earnestly takes his role as steward and caretaker of Wisconsin’s natural resources and water ways. After a series of significant runoff events influenced Dan to increase the pace and scale of his transition to cover crops and minimal tillage, today Dan’s operation, Brickstead Dairy, is 100% no-till and keeping the soil and its nutrients on his land is a top priority. Healthier soils mean greater water infiltration and by absorbing every droplet of rain that falls, Dan’s farm can better withstand heavy rains without losing top soil.

Dan is an advocate for soil health and water quality – both with Wisconsin farmers and his local community. Brickstead Dairy is part of the Lower Fox Demonstration Farms Project, a collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USDA-NRCS, and the Brown County Conservation District. The group puts research and innovative conservation practices on the ground to demonstrate how to reduce soil erosion and minimize impacts to water quality. Brickstead Dairy also regularly hosts outreach events for the general public so they can learn more about the farm they drive past every day on their way to school or work.

In our conversation we talked about some of the challenges with farming in Wisconsin, experimentation with reduced disturbance manure applications, the ability to learn lessons from your failures, biogas and carbon neutral milk production, thinking like a CEO, how the type and quality of soil can make your vegetables taste better, and so much more. There’s a lot packed into this nearly 40-minute episode, so I hope you enjoy!

--- FULL EPISODE NOTES WITH LINKS @ https://truestewards.com/dan-brick ---

--- TOPICS DISCUSSED ---

1:34 – A brief overview of Brickstead Dairy in Greenleaf, Wisconsin

2:32 – Tie stalls vs free stalls

4:45 – The cost of farming in Wisconsin

7:33 – Farming practices changing over time

8:50 – Lower Fox Demonstration Farms Network

12:05 – Challenges with farming in Wisconsin and learning lessons from your failures

16:34 – Low-till vs no-till and challenges making the transition from traditional agriculture

20:48 – N-P-K vs natural methods

21:51 – Comparing wine with corn and the influence of soil on flavor profiles and nutrient density

22:56 – The importance of having a great team around you

24:44 – Soil testing and nutrient management planning

25:56 – Hidden costs of financial distress

27:34 – Carbon neutral milk production and producing energy from manure

29:01 – Increased rate of consolidation of farms in Wisconsin

32:59 – Having the mentality of a CEO

33:39 – Urban development and educating your neighbors and local community

35:35 – Public perception of farmers’ concern for water quality

37:11 – Milking cows in the morning and tailgating at Lambeau Field 45 minutes later. Go Pack Go!