DEFOREST, Wis.— Wisconsin Custom Operators members recently elected three directors and honored retiring directors during the group’s annual business meeting on Feb. 22, held in conjunction with the Forage Symposium at the Chula Vista Resort.
Jeremy Heim and John Osterhaus were elected as operator directors. Randy Clark was elected as a corporate director.
Heim is co-owner of Heim Brothers Custom in Kewaunee, a 200-million gallon per year custom manure hauling and chopping business. In addition to the custom business, Heim is co-owner of an 850-cow dairy, Heim’s Hillcrest Dairy. Together with this wife Kari, Heim has two kids, Ben (18) and Kiley (27). Kiley has been working full time on the farm since 2013 focusing on calf care and Ben plays a big role in field work and the custom business.
Osterhaus owns Silver Streak AG Services in Chadwick, Ill. with his wife, Monica. Together, they harvest 5,000 acres annually in Northwest Illinois and sell and service Meyer Manufacturing equipment. In addition to WCO, he is an active member US Custom Harvesters. The Osterhaus’ have three grown children, including a son, Alan, who has continued his passion for agriculture as a marketing specialist for CLAAS of America. Two of their children have been awarded WCO scholarships.
Clark is the owner of RCI Engineering in Mayville, where he designs and manufactures equipment solutions for the hay and forage industry, including plot research equipment and the Ag-Bag product line. In addition to WCO, he is involved with Wisconsin Section of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Midwest Forage Association, and other industry groups. Clark credits his wife, Wendy, for his success in business and in life. The two work together at RCI Engineering where Wendy serves as marketing manager. They have three boys, Ryan (15), Isaac (13) and Colin (10) and enjoy snowmobiling, hunting, and whatever adventures the boys want to seek out.
Officers were selected by the WCO board of directors. William Smith, owner of Smith Custom Farming in Darlington will serve as president and John Osterhaus, owner of Silver Streak AG Services in Chadwick, Ill. as vice-president. Amanda Krepline, an employee of Krepline Custom Harvesting LLC in Reedsville was elected as secretary and Isaac Lemmenes, product specialist for R Braun, Inc. was re-elected treasurer.
Smith is the owner of Smith Custom Farming, which provides custom forage and grain harvesting services to farmers in Southwest Wisconsin. Smith also farms 2,000 acres of grain in the Darlington area. He is a member of Midwest Forage Association, Lafayette County Farm Bureau, National Federation of Independent Business and supports local FFA and 4-H activities. Smith Custom Farming has a strong presence on social media with nearly 3,000 people following their Facebook page. Smith and his wife, Jamie, have two sons.
Krepline manages the bookkeeping and office for Krepline Custom Harvesting LLC as well as the family dairy and grain farms. During the season, she serves as a machinery operator. Together with her husband Larry, Krepline has one daughter.
Ray Liska of Apollo-Vale Enterprizes in Cochrane, Derek Ducat of Ducat Farms Custom Work in Kewaunee, and Josh Bartholomew, territory manager for Oxbo International in Clear Lake retired from the board of directors and were honored for their years of service.
About WCO: WCO is an organization comprised of individuals throughout the state who derive their income in whole or part from providing custom farming services. To learn more about the Wisconsin Custom Operators, Inc. including membership and event registration, go to www.wiscustomoperators.org or info@wiscustomoperators.org
