Spiced up summer

YCs and AMPI staff pause for a group photo after the Jim Falls plant tours.

Nineteen AMPI Young Cooperator (YC) families spiced up their summers with the annual YC Summer Tour in Chippewa Falls, Wis. 

“It’s a nice break away from the farm for a day,” said Greta Leitheiser. She and husband Adam are this year’s YC steering committee chaircouple. “We get to network with other young producers and hear about what works on their farms.”

Learning stations at AMPI’s Jim Falls, Wis., plant, known for its award-winning Pepper Jack cheese varieties, headlined this year’s tour. Participants also visited nearby member farms. 

“The plant and farm tours help us learn and see other parts of the co-op,” Leitheiser said. 

A key benefit of tour participation is spending time with fellow AMPI YCs — farmer-owners between the ages of 18 and 45. 

Click through the slideshow to read more about the YC Summer Tour.

Harper Borst, assisted by dad Kyle of Rochester, Minn., and Penny Hydo, Jim Falls quality assurance manager, retrieves a sample of Pepper Jack cheese in the cheese quality workshop. In this workshop, families learned how cheese graders identify flavors and quality grades for cheese. 

AMPI Corporate Board member Dennis Hawkins talks with Gina Salitros, Bowlus, Minn., while hosting YCs at his Solhawk Dairy in Chippewa Falls, Wis. Dennis partners with his brother, Doug, to operate the farm that milks 2,200 cows in a rotary parlor. 

Bridgette and Allison Leitheiser help test a milk sample in the milk intake workshop led by Brandon Sacia, Jim Falls whey plant supervisor.

YCs assembled care packages, including snacks produced with AMPI cheese and butter, for AMPI milk haulers and first responders in the Jim Falls area. Pictured with members of the Anson Fire Department are Dena Boiteau, Jim Falls division manager, and the Peterson family of Boyd, Wis. 

AMPI team members serve up dinner after a long day of tours. From left are Glenn Woychik, director of member services; Brett Waldera, field representative; Craig Felmlee, Jim Falls maintenance manager; Jessica Yost, executive administrator; and Ethan Granlund, field service supervisor. 

Clyde Bowe of Dayleen Holsteins in Chippewa Falls, Wis., leads the group around his farm. The Bowes retrofitted a Lely A4 robot in their former tie-stall barn where they milk 65 cows. The fourth-generation farm family raises their heifers and feed crops.

AMPI Jim Falls Division Manager Dena Boiteau, far right, leads YCs through the Jim Falls plant warehouses. Participating in the tour are, from left, Isaac Griebel, New Ulm, Minn.; Craig Felmlee, maintenance manager; and Daniel Aragon, safe quality food practitioner. 

It’s time for a cheese snack! Henry Chapek, son of Ashley and Max Chapek of Cadott, Wis., reaches for a slice of AMPI Colby Jack cheese.