37th Waushara Co. Dairy Breakfast set for June 28

Cheryl Hentz

Contributor

June 8, 2026

WAUTOMA – Organizers are gearing up for the 37th annual Waushara County June Dairy Breakfast – better known as Breakfast on the Farm.

Scheduled for 7:30 a.m. to noon Sunday, June 28, organizers said this year’s event will take place at the Waushara County Fairgrounds.

Held the final weekend of June in celebration of National Dairy Month, Event Co-chair Dawn Reynolds said the event continues a long-running tradition of bringing the community together over breakfast.

Reynolds said this marks only the sixth time the breakfast has been held at the fairgrounds, as it has traditionally taken place on local farms since its beginnings on the Howard and Lillian Simenson farm.

“Howard and Lillian wanted people to have an opportunity to gain more knowledge about the agriculture going on in the Waushara County area, so they provided their farm, and that was the start of what has become an annual event,” she said.

Reynolds said many people outside of agriculture don’t always understand how modern farms operate – from how cows are milked to how feeding practices and dairy technology have evolved over time.

“Howard and Lillian wanted to provide an opportunity for people to come out to the farm, to see the animals they normally wouldn’t see and to see day-to-day operations and processes of a working farm,” she said.

Obviously, Reynolds said milking cows today looks very different from what it did when the Breakfast on the Farm tradition first began.

“It’s definitely a different process than it was,” she said.

Milking cows, Reynolds said, has evolved from hand milking to a range of automated systems, including robotic milking technology used on some dairy farms.

These systems, she said, continuously monitor cow comfort and health to reduce stress and help farmers quickly identify potential health issues.

Robotic and other automated milking systems, Reynolds said, also help prevent under- and over-milking, reducing stress on the cows.

When the event is held on a farm, attendees typically get the chance to tour the operation.

However, Reynolds said there wasn’t a volunteer available to host on-farm this year.

Hosting, she said, requires significant preparation for farmers, including cleaning up the property and ensuring it is safe for large crowds, including children.

“Plus, Waushara County doesn’t have a lot of dairy farms left in the area anymore, so we’re limited on where we could go for it,” she said.

Reynolds said generational transitions can be difficult, especially when younger family members decide not to continue farming operations.

“Plus, the bigger farms – factory farms, as they’re sometimes called – are coming in and buying up the smaller family farms,” she said. “But the farms we do still have in the area, we want to show them off and have people experience what they have to offer and celebrate those remaining family farms still.” 

Even though the breakfast isn’t being held on a farm this year, Reynolds said organizers will still make an effort to help attendees understand what happens on dairy farms and how modern cow care and milk production work on today’s operations.

“Waushara County is so diverse with not only the dairy farming we still do have, but other agriculture as well,” she said. “So, we like to show that off also. Plus, being held on the fairgrounds, it’s nice because people will have a chance to see the fairgrounds, and everything it has to offer to people and groups as well.”

Something for everyone

Even though the event is being held at the fairgrounds, Reynolds said there will still be a petting zoo, along with the possibility of other animals on-site.

“And Alice in Dairyland will be making an appearance, though I’m not sure of the exact time just yet,” she said.

Reynolds said attendees will also find a variety of exhibits to explore, including farm machinery and equipment.

“Even though people won’t be seeing everything that a farm tour would have to offer, they’ll be able to get a close-up look at some of the machinery used on farms today,” she said. “That’ll be interesting for people to see and kids, especially, will find it fun.”

Though Waushara County has fewer traditional family-owned dairy farms than in the past, Reynolds said many remaining farmers have diversified or shifted to other types of agriculture, including vegetables, potato production and hydroponic farming, where crops are grown in water instead of soil.

“There are some farms in Waushara County doing hydroponic farming,” she said. “So, we’ll definitely be explaining about that at the event. And on the west side of the county, there are a lot of potato farms out there.”

Reynolds said organizers will also help explain potato farming as part of the educational exhibits, with support from the Wisconsin Spudmobile®.

Developed by the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association, Reynolds said the Wisconsin Spudmobile is a 37.5-foot RV featuring eight interior exhibits designed to give visitors a closer look at potato farming and the broader industry.

Its exterior, she said, is wrapped in bold graphics promoting “Wisconsin Potatoes,” making it easily recognizable at events.

Reynolds said the Wisconsin Spudmobile has traveled to more than 100 events since its debut in August 2014, including school programs, industry gatherings and community events – such as fairs, festivals, parades, sporting events and other dairy breakfasts.

“The Spudmobile will tell people all about potatoes, how they’re grown and the technology behind it,” she said, adding that people will find it very educational and in a fun, interactive way.

In addition to the petting zoo, Reynolds said this year’s breakfast will feature a variety of games for children to enjoy throughout the event – including the Little Farmer Dress-Up Contest.

At approximately 11 a.m., Reynolds said children ages six and under will have a chance to show off their best farm attire, with prizes awarded for the “best-dressed farmers.”

The Old Time Sounds band – a familiar favorite that typically draws a strong crowd – she said, will perform from 8 a.m. to noon.

Food-wise, Reynolds said attendees can expect a classic Breakfast on the Farm menu featuring all-you-can-eat pancakes served with real maple syrup, along with honey, hashbrowns, ham, cheese, milk, cranberry juice, coffee, ice cream and strawberries.

Organizers, she said, are working to source as many menu items as possible from local businesses and farms for the breakfast.

Reynolds said area businesses are providing the door prizes, with winners determined by an “X” marked on the bottom of their breakfast plate.

“If they get a plate with an ‘X’ on it, they get to go pick a door prize,” she said.

Youth volunteers from area 4-H clubs – totaling about 325-350 members – Reynolds said, will assist throughout the event.

Some will help run kids’ activities, she said, while others will serve breakfast, bus and clean tables and assist wherever needed.

Though attendance has historically been higher when the event is held on a local farm, ranging from about 1,500 to as many as 1,800 people, Reynolds said fairgrounds events typically draw about 1,200.

Attendees for the annual event, she said, come from a wide area, including Stevens Point, Oshkosh, Ripon and the Portage region.

Reynolds said the cost of the breakfast event is a donation of $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages four to 10 and kids under the age of three are admitted free.

Even as planning continues, Reynolds said the annual breakfast is expected to stay a strong family-focused event.

“People, young and old, can come and enjoy it,” she said. “There will be something for everyone to enjoy and participate in, no matter their age. And there will be lots of opportunities for people to learn more about agriculture and the local farming community through some of those farmers and exhibits who are there.”

Head to Waushara County June Dairy Breakfast’s Facebook page for more details or email organizers at wausharactydairybreakfast@yahoo.com.