Wisconsin High School Sports | Wisconsin Sports Network | WisSports.net

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.

Nominate a high school athlete for the Wisconsin Dairy Athlete of the Month by clicking here.

Jackson Blaken
Melrose-Mindoro High School
Class of 2024
Blaken Farms

Sports:

Blaken: I played football for the Mustangs, I was a running back, a linebacker and a team captain. I wrestle for the Titans. Titans are a co-op between Melrose-Mindoro and Galesville/Ettrick/Trempealeau, and I am also a team captain for our team.

How do you balance farm, school and athletics?

Blaken: While in sports, I do chores on the weekends. I use my study halls to get my schoolwork done.

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

Blaken: I like to hunt, fish, snowmobile, and help my brother and cousins with their pulling tractor.

How else are you involved in your local community?

Blaken: I belong to FFA and in the previous years I showed our own pigs at the fair.

ON THE FARM

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

Blaken: The Blaken family farm was started by my Great Grandpa Norman Blaken. In 2002, my grandpa, dad, and two uncles combined all of their livestock and built a milking facility. The milking parlor is a double twenty. We currently milk over 750 cows. Since then, we added a calf barn and a heifer barn. I started going to the barn with my dad or riding in the tractor with him since I was a little kid.  

What is your role on the farm?

Blaken: I help feed the calves, haul wagons during harvest time and help with field work.

Who do you farm with?

Blaken: I farm with my family; dad, older brother, uncles, cousins and grandpa.

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

Blaken:  Being able to work with my family and being in the fields doing field work.

Where does your farm ship its milk?

Blaken: Dairy Farms of America

What product is your milk turned into?

Blaken: It is bottled.

What sustainability practices do you employ on your farm?

Blaken: Blaken Farms rotate crops, plant cover crops, practice no-till, all livestock is undercover, and the manure is injected with minimal till.

What is your most proud moments or farm achievements/awards?

Blaken: Probably being a part of building the new heifer barn and seeing our crops get awards every year.  Also, helping raise our own pigs and being able to sell them at the county fair.

Nominate a high school athlete for the Wisconsin Dairy Athlete of the Month by clicking here.

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.