Kopfer family named 2016 Outstanding Farm Family.
Second-generation farm family recognized by Reading Fair and Berks County Pomona Grange
Second generation farm family Dave and Jill Kopfer, Blandon, were named 2016 Berks County Outstanding Farm Family by the Reading Fair and Berks County Pomona Grange.
“It’s an honor that people are recognizing that we work hard and what we’re trying to do is put out a quality product, all around, milk and crops,” said Jill. “We march to our own drum... We try new things all the time with our crops.”
“I think it’s a nice recognition... especially since my parents (received) it years ago,” said Dave. His parents are Blandon crop farmers Robert and Caroll Kopfer. The two farms neighbor each other.
Dave and Jill farm about 118 acres and rent an additional 130 acres, farming a total of about 230 acres. Crops include, but not limited to, corn, double crop soybeans, 100 acres of rye, 25 acres of barley, and other crops.
“Mostly everything is double cropped after the corn to make use of all the land,” said Dave.
Jill said their herd produces an average of about 24,000 pounds of milk, which is about 60 to 70 pounds per cow per day. They milk a mixture of Holsteins, Ayrshires, Brown Swiss, American Linebacks, Jerseys, Milking Shorthorns and some cross breeds.
“The Ayrshires we’re breeding for Elite Genetics. Those are our show cows. We go all over, Louisville, Kentucky; Maddison, Wisconsin; and Harrisburg.”
When asked what makes them an outstanding farm family, Dave said, “I think we have a large dairy farm and I think we’re doing good with it. I think we’re ahead of the game as far as modern technologies, innovations, trying new things. We try to stay ahead in genetics and constantly breeding our animals to better bulls and getting better animals. Crops we try to utilize the land and use the least amount of input costs and get the most output. I don’t know that I’m any better than any other farmer but I try to be ahead of the curve.”
“The family is involved in agriculture, grange and 4-H,” said Steve Mohn of the Reading Fair and Berks County Pomona Grange. Dave is a 25-year member of Fleetwood Grange. “They’re involved in the community and agriculture and that’s what made them stand out.”
What Jill likes about farming is that they can do it together as a family.
“We’re working together. There’s no wondering what the other person has planned. We all know what we’re doing for the day,” said Jill. “I love the open air. I love being outside... We like growing things and watching things grow. I love the whole miracle of birth. I see it as a baby and I seem them all the way through until they have babies. It’s cool to see. There’s a lot of neat stuff that happens here daily.”
She said it’s rewarding to see what they produce, whether it be crops, show cattle and beef or milk.
What Dave likes about farming is being his own boss, being outside and being a jack of all trades.
“It’s constant variety,” he said. “Outside and enjoying life.”
Both Jill and Dave hope their children gain work ethic from growing up on a farm.
“I hope they understand what it means to work hard and the reward from working hard. Nothing is given to them. If they want something, they have to work for it,” said Jill. “I think that’s probably the most rewarding thing, is when hard work pays off. When you’re dedicated to something, what you get out of that.”
“I hope they get a good work ethic, responsibility and maturity for their age,” said Dave.
They hope their children continue the farming tra- dition.
“I see a strength in each one of them. Austin will be the crop guy. He loves being out on the tractor. He loves growing stuff,” said Jill.
“There’s something everywhere,” said Austin, 12, who has a large vegetable garden and his own small patch of wheat and rye. He sometimes sells what he grows at the end of the farm driveway. Austin likes knowing where his food comes from. His favorite part of living on the farm is the field work. He also shows beef cattle in 4-H at the local fairs, Kutztown, Oley, and Reading as well as in junior associations.
“Our middle son Clayton, 6, is great with numbers. I see him running the books. Even if he doesn’t work on the farm, I know he’ll be a part of the farm. Colton, 4, loves the cows,” said Jill. “Yes, I do want them to take it over. Is it going to be easy? No. Right now, there’s farmers selling out everywhere you look. I want them to know that, yes, times are tough, but we’ll make it through. We’ll keep going.”
Both Jill and Dave said the farm will be there for their children when they are ready and if they want to continue farming.
“I won’t push them into it. It’d be nice but it is hard. If they would, I’d definitely help them any way I could. I’m not building it up for me because I can’t take it with me so if they want it, they may have it,” said Dave.
The Kopfer family is the 61st Berks County farm family to be honored by Reading Fair and Berks County Pomona Grange.
The 162nd Reading Fair is Aug. 7 to 13 at The Reading Fairgrounds, 1216 Hilltop Road, Leesport. For more information, visit http://www.thereadingfair.org/.
“It’s an honor that people are recognizing that wework hard and what we’re trying to do is put out a quality product, all around, milk and crops. We march to our own drum. ... We try new things all the time with our crops.” — Jill Kopfer