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.

Izabel Durst
Barneveld High School
Class of 2026
Jones Valley Jerseys

Sports:

Durst: The sports I participate in include basketball, track, soccer, and cross country. During the summer I play AAU basketball where I play point guard. When playing with my high school team I am a point guard as well. As a point guard I take on leadership roles on and off the court. For track I run the 400, 4x400, and 4x800. And soccer I play a little bit of everything but I’ve played defense and left wing mostly.

How do you balance farm, school and athletics?

Durst: Before school starts, I go shoot. During the school year and sports seasons, I do chores every weekend and a couple days a week after sports practices. I also help before school sometimes as well. I use my time wisely when it comes to homework, doing it during car rides for co-op sports seasons and using homeroom time wisely.

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

Durst: Some hobbies that I have are playing sports, shopping for shoes, spending time outside, hanging out with friends and family, and sightseeing.

How else are you involved in your local community?

Durst: I am president of the Mounds View 4-H club and Barneveld SkillsUSA chapter. I am also a part of forensics, sources of strength, student council, math team, and National Honor Society. With SkillsUSA and National Honor Society, we hold a Fall Fun Day for all of the elementary students, setting up a little maze, petting zoo, and handing out little goodies. With 4-H, we hold an Easter egg hunt every year for the kids of the community. We also donate to our local food pantry, give out a Thanksgiving dinner, and give a gift for the giving tree. I also volunteer at our Little Eagles camp and other camps put on in the community. I’ve also helped coach some of the youth teams.

ON THE FARM

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

Durst: Jones Valley Jerseys is a farm located between Ridgeway and Barneveld, Wisconsin. The farm, established in 1842, is a 40-cow tie stall barn. We milk roughly 50 registered Jersey cows two times a day, and have 80 head of heifers and calves. I’m a part of the 7th generation on the farm. The farm uses 290 acres of land which mainly goes back to feed the cows. The land is used for crops and pasture. I’ve been around the farm since I was born. I started showing cattle and helping do little chores when I was 4. I am now 16 and my involvement has only gone up with age.

What is your role on the farm?

Durst: My current role on the farm is a little bit of everything. Mostly I feed calves and do little chores around the farm. But I also help milk especially during bailing, harvests, and other busy times throughout the year. During the summer I also help with small bales.

Who do you farm with?

Durst: I farm with my uncle and aunt, grandpa, mom, siblings, and cousins.

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

Durst: I love being involved with the farm because of my passion for cattle. I’ve always had a love for animals and with the farm I get to work with them almost every day. The farm has also taught me so many different lessons that I will be able to carry with me throughout my life which I’m so grateful for. The farm has also brought me so close to my family. I have three siblings, Mason, Blake, and Addyson as well as four little cousins, Emery, Lane, Cash, and Kauy, so there is always something going on. Sometimes it feels like we are all siblings! And none of us are going to turn down Little Debbie snack cakes from my grandpa. I also get to learn from my biggest role models in the world, my uncle and my mom. They have helped shape me into the person I am today!

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

Durst: Jones Valley Jerseys was awarded with the Sesquicentennial Farm Award for 150 years of operation. While showing cattle at my county fair I’ve won Grand Champion with my summer yearling, Maria. I’ve also won Reserve Grand Champion with my spring yearling, Korona, and fall calf, Misshit, as well as Honorable Mention with my summer yearling, Mayo.

Where does your farm ship its milk?

Durst: Foremost.

What product is your milk turned into?

Durst: The milk from the farm goes to be cheese.

What sustainability practices do you employ on your farm?

Durst: Sustainability practices we do are things like growing cover crops, contour fields, and milk Jersey cows, a small carbon footprint breed. How we are sustainable is by maintaining a low overhead operation, trying to diversify income with different forms of revenue, focusing on quality over quantity and being self-sufficient as we can be.

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.