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.

Andrew Nies
River Ridge High School
Class of 2025
Nies Farms

Sports:

Nies: I played football, basketball, and baseball all through high school. In football I was a middle linebacker and fullback. I was voted team captain my junior and senior year. I was first team all-conference both ways my junior and senior year. I was second team all-conference both ways my sophomore year. I was also honored to be selected as an all-region running back.

How do you balance farm, school and athletics?

Nies:  I am fortunate that my parents have allowed me to take time away from the farm to participate in all sports. I prioritize getting all of my schoolwork done first, and then any spare time I have, I dedicate to the farm. This is especially true in summer.

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

Nies: I enjoy lifting, running, hunting, fishing, and spending time with my siblings and family.

How else are you involved in your local community?

Nies: I am a member of the National Honor Society. I've been a member of the FFA program at school. I have also been a referee for youth football and basketball games.

ON THE FARM

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

Nies: Nies Farms consists of 750 acres of crop ground, and 750 acres of woods and pastures. We are currently milking 150 cows through a milking parlor and raise all of the young stock. We also have 100 beef cows and we raise all of the offspring from them as well. I have been helping dad with chores since I was old enough to walk.

What is your role on the farm?

Nies: I help out with whatever needs to be done on the farm such as planting corn, combining corn, hauling silage, hauling manure, feeding cattle, as well as general machinery repair and maintenance.

Who do you farm with?

Nies: I farm with my parents (Kenny and Michelle Nies), and both of my grandpas.

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

Nies: I enjoy caring for the cattle, operating and maintaining equipment, and being outside.

Where does your farm ship its milk?

Nies: Our milk is shipped to Scenic Central Milk Producers.

What product is your milk turned into?

Nies: Our milk is turned into a variety of different specialty cheeses through Meister Cheese in Muscoda.

What sustainability practices do you employ on your farm?

Nies: We implement contour strips with a lot of grass waterways, and we utilize no-till and minimum till practices. About 50 percent of our crops are alfalfa or grass hay in a rotation.

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

Nies: One of my proudest moments was combining the oats all by myself while my parents were out of town, and planting half of our corn crop this spring. Other proud moments include my first team all-conference selections for fullback and middle linebacker.

Future plans:

Nies: Attend UW Platteville for Animal Science and play football there.

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.