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The Wisconsin Dairy Athlete of the Month sponsored by WisSports.net (WSN) in partnership with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW) aims to connect consumers with Wisconsin’s dedicated dairy farmers and the youth who grow and raise food for their local communities.  

DFW and WSN are recognizing high school student-athletes who are actively involved on a Wisconsin dairy farm and participate in at least one WIAA-sanctioned varsity sport. Dairy is a vital part of the economy in nearly every Wisconsin county, whether urban or rural. Family-owned farms, dairy processors and dairy-related businesses generate thousands of jobs and millions of dollars of economic activity while contributing to local income and tax revenues.

Will & Wes Huenink
Cedar Grove-Belgium High School
Class of 2025 (Will); Class of 2026 (Wes)
Huenink’s Seed & Dairy

Sports: 

Will: Track & Field - State qualifier for 3200 meter & 4x800 meter relay; Cross Country - Team sectional champions & state qualifiers. Individual First Team All-Conference and Second Team All-County.

Wes: Track & Field - Alternate for state 4x800 meter relay & sectional qualifier for 1600 meter; Cross Country - Team sectional champions & state qualifiers.  Individual Second Team All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-County.

How do you balance farm, school and athletics?

Hueninks: This is a challenge given that track & cross country seasons coincide with planting & harvest on the farm. Will helps with morning milking every day before school. Both of us can be found working evenings after practice and on weekends to help get the work done. Our grandpa does a lot more during the busy times, and we are also thankful to have one full-time & a few part-time employees.

What hobbies / interests do you have outside of dairy farming?

Will:  I like to read, play trumpet in my high school band, and hang out with friends & family.

Wes:  I play percussion for high school band, was on the basketball team, and do trap shooting. I like art & making videos for my YouTube channel Wisco Wes. I also enjoy golf and hanging out with friends & family.

How else are you involved in your local community?

Will:  I am a 4-H member involved in dairy, crops, photography & tractors projects. I am active in my church youth group & play guitar with the worship band. I am also a member of the National Honor Society at school & look forward to serving as a freshman mentor next year.

Wes:  I am a member of 4-H with projects in poultry, crops, photography & art. At church, I participate in youth group, service projects & play drums for the worship band.

We both like volunteering at the Sheboygan County Breakfast on the Farm during June Dairy Month.

ON THE FARM

What is your farm story and how long have you been involved in the operation?

Hueninks: Our farm Huenink’s Seed & Dairy is a century farm, and we are the fifth generation to work on the farm. We milk 75 Holstein cows and raise calves, heifers & a few beef cattle. Our great-grandpa Wilfred started the seed business in 1938 after attending Farm Short Course at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. We grow Wisconsin Certified Seed and distribute other brands of seed. From a young age, we have helped with farm chores like feeding cows & cleaning the barn. We both took the Youth Tractor & Machinery Safety Certification Program through UW-Extension and have gained responsibility as we have gotten older.

What is your role on the farm?

Will:  My responsibilities include milking cows morning & evening, feeding cows, planting & harvesting crops, repairing machinery, managing cow records, testing milk quality, and accounting in Quickbooks.

Wes:  I help with feeding, milking & fieldwork, in addition to also working at 5 Pillars Supper Club.

Who do you farm with?

Hueninks: Our parents Brian & Jill, younger siblings Carsten & Ruth, and grandparents Mark & Mary.

What is your favorite part of being involved with the farm?

Will:  I enjoy working on the farm with my dad & grandpa, and I think I would be bored if I wasn’t spending my time farming.

Wes:  I like the wide open spaces we have on our land and working in nature.

Where does your farm ship its milk?

Hueninks: Cedar Valley Cheese

What product is your milk turned into?

Hueninks: Italian cheeses, specifically award-winning string cheese, Mozzarella & Provolone cheeses.

What sustainability practices do you employ on your farm?

Hueninks: We plant a variety of cover crops to maintain the quality of our soil. When possible, we are planting green directly into multi-species cover crops which means we do little or no tillage. Because of our seed business, we have diverse crop rotations which include growing corn, soybeans, alfalfa, grasses, oats, peas, wheat, rye & barley.

Please share your most proud moments or farm achievements/awards?

Hueninks: We are proud of all the work we are able to get done around the farm.

Other Notes:

Hueninks: One of our favorite things about June Dairy Month is dairy breakfasts, which are an opportunity to visit a local farm. They are held in counties all around Wisconsin, find one near you:  https://www.wisconsindairy.org/national-dairy-month/Dairy-Breakfasts

One athlete will be selected from nominations received each month.  Selected student athletes will be featured on www.wissports.net as well as DFW and WSN social media channels. 

About Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin

Funded by Wisconsin dairy farmers, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is a non-profit organization that focuses on marketing and promoting Wisconsin's world-class dairy products. For more information, visit our website at wisconsindairy.org.