Meet Dan Wegmueller

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dan Wegmueller. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dan, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

“What” versus “Why” is the age-old dilemma.
Meaning, it’s not “What” we do; it’s “Why” we do it.
Why do we get out of bed in the morning? Why do we go to work every day? Why do we dedicate ourselves to our various pursuits and passions?
For me, finding my purpose has evolved from the simple concept of sharing.
In 2016, I took over my family’s multigenerational Wisconsin dairy farm. Although farming has always been a uniquely challenging profession, the Ag Crisis of the early 2020s hit traditional dairy farms like ours particularly hard. Wisconsin led the nation in farm bankruptcies, and suicide rates amongst American farmers grew to more than twice the national average.
During this time, I struggled with the concept of “Why” I chose farming as a career path.
I struggled to find my purpose on the farm.
Recognizing that we needed to diversify the farm’s revenue, we took advantage of our close proximity to the urban markets of Chicago and transitioned to agricultural tourism. We remodeled the existing farmhouse into an attractive destination, and began to offer farm tours and hands-on farm experiences with the idea of opening our doors and welcoming guests to the farm. In 2020, we developed an equine program and now offer guided horseback trail rides, lessons, and therapeutic experiences.
Without question, opening our doors and welcoming visitors to the farm allowed me to find my true purpose, and in an era of great uncertainty, I am proud to say that our farm will thrive into the next generation, thanks to the simple concept of sharing.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Wegmueller Farm is a fourth-generation dairy farm in south-central Wisconsin.
We milk 60 head of dairy cattle on 240 acres of land, nestled amongst the rolling hills of Green County. At a time when American Farms have become highly industrialized and our nation’s food supply ultra-consolidated, we have rejected the “bigger is better” mentality of American Agriculture, and diversified our traditional farm to pursue agricultural tourism.
In 2018, we opened our doors to allow farmstays, farm tours, and offer hands-on farm experiences. Guests are encouraged to hand-milk a cow, bottle-feed baby calves, and ask any question they’d like about farming. In 2020 we established a successful equestrian program with more than 20 horses available for guided trail rides, one-on-one riding lessons, and therapeutic experiences.
Our newly renovated farmhouse sleeps up to 12 guests, making it a perfect destination for families and retreats, and the farm is only five miles from everything that the city of Monroe has to offer.
More than anything else, I am ecstatic to share farming with guests at the Wegmueller Farm. People care very deeply about how their food is produced, and it has been a joy to share how, and why, we care for our animals and the environment the way that we do. Moreover, guests have been moved to tears by the genuine connections we foster with our horseback riding experiences.
At a time when our culture seems to be distancing itself from the natural world, I am so excited to open our doors, welcome people to our farm, and share the sacred relationship farmers ought to have with animals and the environment.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1) Resilience.
Simply said, believe in yourself. If you have a vision or goal, surround yourself with people who support your vision. BE COACHABLE. There will always be someone who knows more than you, and the best thing you can do is learn from them. Likewise, there will always be detractors, and generally they are the ones who would not, or could not, do what you are trying to do.

2) Organization.
Get your finances in order. Write down your thoughts. Be organized in how you approach your day-to-day life. Get plenty of sleep, and eat healthy food that you enjoy. Do not allow yourself to get distracted by social media, but use it as a tool to advance your dreams. Set a series of short-term and long-term goals, and see them through.

3) Flexibility.
As any battlefield leader will say, plans are great until the shooting starts, then all plans go out the window. Be able and willing to pivot. Don’t be afraid to drop something that is not working, and embrace what is working – if if it’s something new.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

Feeling overwhelmed or inadequate?
Good! That just means you are pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone.
I make a regular point to go for walks. I prefer to walk at night, alone, around the farm where I know I will have no interruptions and no distractions. When the weather is nice, I lay on my back and look up at the stars.
I allow myself the privilege of getting lost in the night sky.
The best part of making a habit to walk, is the chance to experience the seasons. I love the freshness and rejuvenation of the springtime. I love summer evenings, when the air is warm and there is an abundance of wildlife. Autumn sights and smells are unique as the earth prepares for winter. And during winter, the silence of a cold snowy night is humbling in its totality.
I appreciate the sting of snow on my face, and the realness of grass beneath my feet, and everything in between.
I do my best thinking when I walk alone, at night, with no distractions.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wegmuellerfarm.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wegmueller_dairy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WegsFarm
• Other: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/27985010?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=cf8fd709-1c6c-4554-ab8a-a9f991a475e9

Image Credits

“WegFarm” credit to Scott Timm, Green Co Farmstand
All other images credit to Wegmueller Farm