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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.

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

Carter Heike
Mondovi High School
Class of 2026
Heike Farms

Sports:

Heike: Currently I play football and baseball. In football, I play running back and inside linebacker. In baseball, I play outfield.

How do you balance farm, school and athletics?

Heike: It helps that most of the farm´s labor intensive work is during the summer when I´m more available. During the school year, I help out as much as I can manage while I'm focusing on academics and sports.

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

Heike: I enjoy fishing, hunting, and riding snowmobile.

How else are you involved in your local community?

Heike: I am currently in FFA and have shown a steer at the fair for the last several years. I´m also actively involved in Fuel Up To Play 60, the youth football program at Mondovi, and various
activities at our church. I´ve also been a part of educating local youth groups when they have come to the farm for tours.

ON THE FARM

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

Heike: Heike Farms began back in 1943 when my Great-Great Grandpa Walter and Great Grandpa James made the original 240-acre purchase and milked 40 cows. Today the farm has grown to 1,420 total acres and we now milk 400 cows and raise 200 steers each year. I am the 5th generation on the farm.

What is your role on the farm?

Heike: I am very involved in the welfare of the animals on the farm. I help with the feeding of the animals and keeping pens clean and dry. I´m able to operate every piece of equipment on the farm from the self-propelled chopper all the way down to the skids steer.

Who do you farm with?

Heike: I farm with my father Andy and my Grandpa Dan.

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

Heike: Working with cattle and operating different types of machinery. As well as working with and learning things from my dad and grandpas. Also, the feeling of accomplishment after a long day of work.

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

Heike: We had the honor of being able to host the 2016 Buffalo County Dairy Breakfast. We also have the honor of being a 5th generation dairy farm.

Where does your farm ship its milk?
Heike: We ship all of our milk to Ellsworth Creamery.

What product is your milk turned into?

Heike: The majority of our milk is tuned into cheese, including Ellsworth cheese curds.

What sustainability practices do you employ on your farm?

Heike: We grow about 400 acres of hay and 700 acres of corn and sorghum that are all mostly all fed back to our livestock. We use very little commercial fertilizer because we are able to use the fertilizer from our cattle to help grow the next years crops.

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.