
Dairy Farm Life
Clip: Season 10 Episode 5 | 3m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
Rosario Ibarra hated farm work growing up and now runs one of Wisconsin's largest dairies.
When Rosario Ibarra arrived from Mexico for her internship, she had never seen a Holstein cow. Ibarra now runs one of Manitowoc County’s largest dairy farms. It’s a tireless job that has become a lifestyle.
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Wisconsin Life is a local public television program presented by PBS Wisconsin
Funding for Wisconsin Life is provided by the Wooden Nickel Fund, Mary and Lowell Peterson, A.C.V. and Mary Elston Family, Obrodovich Family Foundation, Stanley J. Cottrill Fund, Alliant Energy, UW...

Dairy Farm Life
Clip: Season 10 Episode 5 | 3m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
When Rosario Ibarra arrived from Mexico for her internship, she had never seen a Holstein cow. Ibarra now runs one of Manitowoc County’s largest dairy farms. It’s a tireless job that has become a lifestyle.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship[twangy guitar] Sunrise over Lake Michigan signals the start of a new day at one of Manitowoc County's largest dairy farms.
- Rosario Ibarra: Hey, mommies!
I love to be involved in every area of the farm.
- Rosario Ibarra greets every day with a smile.
- Good morning!
- Despite the early morning wake-up call.
- Usually, my day starts at 5:00 am.
I arrive to the farm, and then, usually, I do a tour around the farm, checking that everything is okay, and I start to get calls.
Hi, Melanie, thank you.
Ah, yes, the interviews went very well.
- Farm life means Rosario is constantly on the go.
- I like to say hello to everybody in the farm.
- As the general manager, she supervises the daily operations at Grotegut Dairy Farm near Newton.
- Currently, in this farm, we are over 50 full-time employees, and 90% of them only speak Spanish.
- Mm-hmm, okay.
Ándele pues, Chuy.
i¡Gracias!
Bye.
I should pay attention to my English teachers because I always used to say, "Why do I need to learn English?
I'm never going to use it."
And look at me!
- Growing up in Mexico, Rosario earned a science degree in soil management and crop production, opening doors for an internship in the dairy state.
- I was selected to do my professional practices here in Wisconsin, specifically in New Holstein.
- However, there was just one problem.
- I remember we saw this map of the US, and we're like, "Okay, we are here.
So, where is Wisconsin?"
When I arrived to the farm, I ask myself, "What the heck I'm doing here?"
And that was my first experience with cows, really.
That was the first time that I saw a real Holstein.
That's the reason I am here because someone gave me an opportunity.
- For more than a decade, Wisconsin has been home.
A place where dairy farming requires long hours and hard work.
- So, it's not for everyone, but someone has to do it.
For now, that person is me.
So, that's my focus.
Do it and do it right.
- As day turns to night, Rosario is back on the farm for a second round of evening chores.
- They are curious, and they know that it's time to get their milk.
[cow lowing 'moooooooooo-ooooooo'] So, it's a challenge when the time changes and it's dark.
Hey, princess, here, here; Come on!
Parece que están comiendo bien, hay le checan.
And usually, I am around the farm at this time.
There is a lot that I can do at night.
I do some of my office jobs at that moment because, usually, it's a quiet time.
[ink jet printing] And I can go home between 10, 11-ish pm.
Perfect!
Okay, Jorge, gracias.
Bye.
A good day at the farm is when we can go home with a clean conscience and with peace of mind.
- For Rosario, it's always 'farming with a smile.'
- Every day is different, so I just try to do my best.
It's a lifestyle, for sure.
♪ ♪ [cow moos]
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipSupport for PBS provided by:
Wisconsin Life is a local public television program presented by PBS Wisconsin
Funding for Wisconsin Life is provided by the Wooden Nickel Fund, Mary and Lowell Peterson, A.C.V. and Mary Elston Family, Obrodovich Family Foundation, Stanley J. Cottrill Fund, Alliant Energy, UW...