Whitewater FFA selling yard signs to benefit community
To rally support for Wisconsin’s dairy industry – crippled by the coronavirus pandemic – Whitewater FFA is selling ‘Support Wisconsin Dairy’ yard signs.
All proceeds, plus welcomed donations, will be used to purchase Wisconsin cheese and other dairy products for the Whitewater Food Pantry and The Community Space. Each sign costs $10.
Whitewater FFA Vice President Elizabeth Katzman, who comes from a dairy farm family, felt compelled to bring the idea to Whitewater after seeing other FFA chapters with similar initiatives in Wisconsin.
“Being from a dairy farm family, I know firsthand how much work – and passion – goes into producing milk,” said Katzman, whose family milks cows in the Whitewater area.
“To watch farmers dump thousands of gallons of milk – due to the shift in demand when schools and restaurants were forced to close – breaks my heart, especially knowing that our farm could be next.”
Katzman, a junior, is the daughter of Wes and Katy Katzman and sister of Jake and Aaron.
Jake graduated from Whitewater in January while Aaron is a sophomore.
“Both play an integral role – just like Elizabeth – in our family business,” Katy said.
Signs of support
Meanwhile, through the sale of signs, which were produced by TJK Wolf Productions in Fort Atkinson, Whitewater FFA hopes to show support for the community’s dairy farmers and create awareness for the vital role Wisconsin’s dairy industry plays in feeding the hungry.
“And, with an excess of dairy products on the market, it made sense for us to use the proceeds from the sale of the signs to buy Wisconsin dairy products for those in need in our own backyard,” Elizabeth said.
According to the latest figures, the dairy industry contributes about $43 billion to the state’s economy, which has seen businesses such as restaurants temporarily shut down.
How to purchase
People interested in purchasing a sign can email their name and address to katela04@whippets.wwusd.org.
Elizabeth will arrange for contactless delivery to homes and businesses.
She can be contacted at 262-903-5525 or katela04@whippets.wwusd.org.
Since she launched the program April 23, close to 500 signs have been spoken for and she delivered the first 100 signs late last week.
Well-rounded student
Elizabeth participates in multiple extra-curricular activities in addition to milking cows on her family farm seven days a week.
According to her mother, she is a member of National Honor Society, participated in tennis and basketball and would have been on this year’s softball team had the season not been canceled.
“She plays club softball year-round for the Rock River Stix out of Fort Atkinson,” Katy said. “She serves as captain for that program.”
Additionally, Elizabeth is president of the Stone School 4-H Club and has shown pigs and steers through FFA and 4-H on the fair circuit.
Family farm
Elizabeth’s parents, and Uncle Chad, Wes’ brother, run the family farm consisting of about 3,000 cows.
The Katzmans also have a “team of valued employees to help maintain operations,” Katy said.
The family farm has three locations, with two in Whitewater and the other in Hebron.
Wes graduated from Whitewater High School in 1989 and served as president of the school’s FFA program.
