Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By DAMIIAN LANG
MELLEN, Wis. — Goats, chickens, pigs, cows, ducks, turkeys, rabbits, horses — oh my!
People of all ages came to Sunshine’s Agriculture Farm Experience on Sunday for Chequamegon Dairy Day near Mellen, Wisconsin.
Under a gorgeous, clear blue, sunny sky, farm owners Kendra and Peter Thewis were pleased to host the event.
Sunshine’s Agriculture Farm Experience is an educational agritourism mini-farm, owned and operated by Peter and Kendra Thewis. The event was sponsored by the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin group in partnership with the Chequamegon Dairy Association.
The day’s activities included the opportunity to pet many of the farm’s friendly, four-legged residents.
Also available were small gardening stations where kids could dig up potatoes and carrots.
Other activities included a tractor wagon ride, face painting, a chance to bottle-feed a calf or baby goat, and a milking demonstration conducted by Kendra, who fielded questions from a group of young children. A forest-shaded dairy quiz path also offered a beautiful and educational respite from the sun.
The event was made possible with the help of dozens of volunteers from the Penokee Range 4-H Livestock Club, and several local businesses donated food, beverages and services.
The farm was established in 2021 when Kendra saw a need for educating the public on agriculture and animal practices.
The Farm Experience is a dynamic place that now has more than 40 animals. It also features a 17-acre sunflower field that is expected to bloom this August and includes a walkthrough path. In addition, there is also a “Groovin’ with the Goats” dance corral with baby goats.
In the fall, a HarvestFest Trick or Treat the Animals and Spooky Trail are held.
The farm hosts camp groups, Girl Scout troops, 4-H groups, etc.
Peter Thewis is the current president of the Chequamegon Dairy Association, and Kendra was former secretary and now manages its Facebook page.
They both share responsibilities around the farm. After college and getting married, the two worked on Peter’s parent’s dairy farm up until October 2021. They have two children, Starr, 12, and Skyler, 9.
For more information on the unique operation, see the farm’s Facebook page.
