Keeping up with the Katzman kids

From the left, Elizabeth, Jake and Aaron Katzman show off one of the steers that they’ve raised and will head to market later this summer. Aaron is scheduled to show Cope at the Wisconsin State Fair in August. (Todd Mishler photo)

Three siblings integral players in family’s huge farming operation

By Todd Mishler

Copy Editor

Farm kids represent a different breed, albeit an unfortunately dwindling one. They are intrinsically rooted deeply in and stewards of the land they live on and that provides their livelihood in one form or fashion.

Count Jake, Elizabeth and Aaron Katzman among them, Whitewater High School students who spend most of their non-school time, especially the brothers, working at Katzman Farms.

Their parents, Wes and Katy, run the business along with her brother-in-law, Chad. Several dozen dedicated employees work at multiple locations covering a few thousand acres, helping the operation milk about 3,000 cows and finish nearly 10,000 steers annually, the latter being housed at multiple places, including their large property just south of Hebron. They also raise crops as feed.

Katy said their teenagers play an integral role in that massive undertaking, one that started with Wes’ father, Tom.

“They are true farm kids,” she said. “Farming isn’t a backyard hobby for us. The kids are involved in the day-to-day operation. They live and breathe farm life every day. We couldn’t farm without them.”

Read more about the family in the July 4 Whitewater Register.

      The Katzman kids will be at the Jefferson County Fair, which runs tomorrow through Sunday. For details visit jcfairpark.com.

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