The Wisconsin Outstanding Young Farmer program has honored Jacob and Jennifer Hoewisch of Fremont as the Outstanding Young Farmers for 2024. The recognition was announced during the 70th annual awards weekend Jan. 26-27.
Jacob Hoewisch grew up around the farm. When he was in fourth grade his father and uncle combined their dairy herds to create Hoewisch Homestead Dairy, LLC. His parents started homeschooling him that same year, which gave him more exposure to farming while keeping up with his education. Jacob eventually joined the business and is officially a salaried manager. But a succession plan envisions him eventually taking over.
Jacob has changed some approaches since taking over as manager, adding cover crops and moving the fields to a no-till approach. He has also experimented with cattle breeding and uses genomic tests to decide which cattle to breed. That has opened up the milking herd to be A2/A2 status, and created an opportunity to directly market beef.
Jacob and Jennifer are active in the Waupaca County Farm Bureau, serve on the WFBF state committee and are youth group leaders in their church. Jacob is also part of the Caledonia Township farmer-led watershed group and is on the Fox Valley Technical College advisory committee.