Mid-west Farm Report - Madison

Determination is an unwritten characteristic of anyone involved in agriculture.  The 2026 Groundbreaker award winners, presented by Compeer Financial, exemplify that determination.  The selected winners are Bryanna and Dylan Handel of Barneveld.  There story has taken many turns over the past decade, but they remain determined to pursue their passion for agriculture.  Pam Jahnke listened in.   Bryanna’s plans to establish a farm began at 16 years old when she purchased her first cow and housed it at her grandparents’ farm. She and Dylan established B. Kurt Dairy in 2014 with 16 cows in a rented barn near Verona, Wis., before they purchased their current farmstead from a retiring farmer near Barneveld in 2016. Since then, they’ve been growing their farm, family and community engagement while addressing a severe stray voltage issue. The stray voltage began in late 2023 and was linked to a nearby substation. It impacted overall herd health and drastically reduced milk p