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By SALLY BAIR
Staff Correspondent
UNIVERSITY PARK - Joyce Trapp is a successful
Wiacomin dairy farmer. That in itself is not unusual
because Wisconsin is known for its successful dairy
fanners. But Joyce Trapp and her husband Roger are uni
que because they are first-generation dairy fanners who
nhrw to go into farming without having been raised on
farms.
Four and a half years ago Joyce was the wife of a truck
driver and stock car racer whose dream just happened to
be to own a dairy farm. Now she considers herself a full
fledged dairy former and she has become an enthusiastic
spokesman for agriculture.
She is quick ta admit that there are many things to learn
when you were not raised on a farm, and Joyce gives a lot
of credit to the former cooperatives in her area which of
fered advice. Her realization of the contributions of
cooperatives to agriculture is the reason she was at Penn
State recently as a speaker at the National Institute on
Cooperative Education.
Sm« they moved to the farm, Joyce says she has learn
ed more than in all 16 years in school. “Fanning is big
hn*diM»««, and it doesn’t change your lifestyle to being
more quiet. I’m glad to have the experience - it helped me
grow more.” One reason for buying the farm was to slow
down, which the Trapps soon learned is just a phrase and
has no relation to what one does o n a busy dairy farm.
In an interview prior to her talk, Joyce said she tells her
aiwhVnnp that the female cooperative member is
“dynamite,” with the potential of “exploding” in the
areas of loyalty, education, member awareness, com
munity awareness and public relations. ’ ’
A member of the Wisconsin Women for Agriculture and
American Agri-Women, Joyce feels strongly that farm
wives must be professional in their attitudes toward the
public. She said, “We need to promote and project a good
looking, professional image. Even if pressed for time, I
feel women should take a few minutes to comb their hair
before going to town. They will be treated as a profes
sional and they will feel important.”
For a women who did not live on the farm five years
ago, Joyce is a very strong supporter of agriculture, and
admits to getting “comments” about her outspoken role.
For those who question why a newcomer is speaking up,
Joyce said she simply encourages them to join her and
also speak up for agriculture. She said she recognizes her
position as an outsider in her rural community, and that
she will probably always be considered an outsider.
“But the reason I’m giving this speech is that I want to
generate Lie same kind of spirit and the same kind of feel
ing that I’ve got. This must spring up from the members.
They must want to do it themselves. The more woman I
send out to speak to others, the better it will be,” she
states positively.
She is especially happy to talk about cooperatives
because of their help in getting started in fanning. “The
local managers were great. Since they know the area
they’re the best for advice. I found out how fantastic
cooperatives are. I really got excited about
cooperatives,” Joyce said.
Joyce is sincere then she says she thinks exciting things
are happening in cooperatives and that their story should
be told to the media. “Cooperatives are an untapped
potential. I wonder why agriculture has a corner on the
cooperative way of doing business.”
Joyce feels cooperative members have a responsibility
to tell the cooperative story in a positive way. “We must
let people know that we are a business of equal value to
the hardward store,” she states.
The Trapps are now milking 68 cows on 260 acres. She
said proudly. “We can each do every single job.” The one
job she does solo is record-keeping. Their two sons, ages
16 and 13, are also active on the farm.
As she reflects on their decisions to go into dairying,
Joyce says, “It was kind of unrealistic to go into it in a big
way. We had two advantages - we were older and we had
|35,000 in' cash.” The advantages did not make the way
easy, however. The Trapps were turned down by both the
Federal Land Bank and the Farmers Home Administra
tion. Joyce says, “They turned us down because of inex
perience, not because of money.”
They finally got the farm, because, as Joyce puts it,
“We found two people with confidence in us. A retired
farmer left money in the farm - he took the risk - and Pro
duction Credit Association gave us the money because we
convinced the man with our enthusiasm.”
She artmite thoughtfully, “There are times when we
think it was not the right thing to do and wonder if we can
keep up.” She says right now she and her husband are con
sidering if they should stay in dairying, primarly because
of two injuries he suffered which make it difficult to do the
milking. No matter what the decision on dairying,
however, she says firmly they will stay in agriculture.
And she remembers, “People said we’d never make it.”
Two years after going into operation with 40 cows, they
expanded to 60 cows, and although the paperwork and
delays were a horror story, the Trapps were successful in
refinancing for the additional cows and facilities. By the
time the loan was through, they needed eight more cows
just to pay the increase in interset payment.
The whole emotional experience of getting financial
backing to go into farming has left Joyce with some vague
uncertainties about the future of agriculture. “I think
agriculture is terrific, but I think the family farm system
could be in danger. I worry that we shouldn’t close
Joyce Trapp is dedicated to agriculture
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first generation dairy farmer, Joyce Trapp is
dedicated to bringing promoting agriculture and ag
agriculture to people who weren’t born into it.” she says.
In her opinion it is almost impossible to get started unless
breaks are given to family members.
The Trapps are members of multiple cooperatives in
cluding AMPI, CENEX, Equity Livestock Marketing,
Midwest Breeders and Midland Cooperatives.
Joyce first became enthusiastic when she attended a
cooperative couples program, and has remained a strong
supporter. She is proud that her cooperative has begun a
tradition of holding one meeting a year with board
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cooperatives.
members and young couples so young members can have
a voice. Although she lost in a bid for a seat on the board,
she is anxious to work to change the structure to make it
easier for others to be elected. “I guess I’d be honored to
be on a Board of Directors, but I don’t want to run again,"
she says.
Presently Joyce is involved in preparing a slide presen
tation for use in elementary schools on cooperatives. The
project is one of a series being carried out by her local
Wisconsin Women in Agriculture chapter. They have
already prepared one on dairy products and are working
on one about meats. The slide program is 10 minutes long
and she or other local members are on hand to answer
questions generated by the program. She is proud of the
work her group, and others throughout the state and na
tion, is doing and says she enjoys die stimulation of being
with women who are committed to promoting agriculture.
Her commitment, despite the hardships she has en
countered, remains strong. Joyce says, “I am convinced J
that agriculture is the base of the American economy. Wet
are the best ag-producing nation in the world and we must*
stay there. We need really good spokespeople to tell our
story or we will lose our support.”
For Joyce Trapp, telling the story of her newfound way
of life is important and vital. She intends to do her part to
keep the agricultural traditions strong.