Rosy-Lane History
1960s at W3855 Ebenezer Dr.
1981 at W3860 Ebenezer Drive2015 at W3855 Ebenezer Drive2019 at W3855 Ebenezer Drive |
Lloyd Arthur Holterman Sr. and wife Rosemarie were originally from Franklin, Wisconsin and farmed with Lloyd Sr.'s father for nine years. On Thanksgiving eve in 1965, Lloyd and Rosemarie brought 30 cows and 30 heifers to their new homestead at W3855 Ebenezer Drive, which they purchased from Ervin and Esther Lemke. The Lemkes had farmed there for 30 years, since 1935, milking 30 cows. The Lemkes had purchased the farm from the Strauss family. The homestead on Ebenezer Drive has been named “Rosy-Lane” since Lloyd Sr. purchased 154 acres of land in 1965. The farm name comes from Lloyd Sr.’s love of roses, and wife, Rosemarie.
On the farm, Lloyd Sr. did much conservation work such as tiling so fields drained better, and building waterways, diversion terraces and contour strips to minimize soil erosion. The herd size grew gradually to a peak of 80 milking cows. Throughout most of the time Lloyd Sr. milked at Rosy-Lane, he had 60 milking cows and 70 heifers. Lloyd Sr. and Rose added onto the cow barn, built a pole barn and constructed a new machine shed and silos. They purchased the place next door, formerly known as the Baehman farm. At one time they raised 40 sows and some chickens. Rose did the record keeping and drove tractor when needed. The only help they had were their children and other school-age kids. They had seven children: Lloyd W. (Jr.), Diane, Bob, Janet, Jean, Gary and Dennis. Lloyd Jr. was 6 years old when they moved here. In 1989, Lloyd Jr. and Daphne purchased the cattle and farm equipment from Lloyd’s parents. They had been farming on their own in Ixonia from 1987-89, after working together in partnership with Lloyd Sr. and Rose at Rosy-Lane immediately after they graduated from UW-Madison in 1980 and 1981. Lloyd and Daphne bought the farmland in 1994. New technology and farming practices have changed tremendously. Numerous barns, facilities, tractors, trucks and tools have been utilized to focus on cow comfort and quality feed, all with a profitable and sustainable business in mind. In 1999, Tim Strobel became a partner and in 2013, Jordan Matthews became a partner as well. Rosy-Lane now supports eighteen families, cares for more cows and takes care of more land. The farm has blossomed into an important part of the local community, the dairy community and the lives of those who work here. |