OCONTO – Since 1982, the Oconto County Friends of Agriculture have been hosting the summer-staple Oconto County Breakfast on the Farm. This year, the organizers are excited to share the tradition with Riewe Farms on June 14.
Breakfast on the Farm offers the public a chance to connect with the farms that provide for them and give children and adults alike the opportunity to learn about the impact of agriculture.
Oconto County Friends of Agriculture representative Kaitlyn Tesch explained that “Breakfast on the Farm is a great way for community members, families and kids to increase their knowledge of agriculture. In today’s day and age, many families and kids of different generations are so far removed from farming that we like to kind of connect them back to that and teach them.”
Kids can partake in the hands-on activities like the petting zoo and education games, while adults are invited to visit the commercial exhibits.
One major duty of the Oconto County Friends of Agriculture is handling the logistics — like securing vendors, soliciting donations, ordering food and organizing volunteers — to take the pressure off the host farm since the event coincides with spring planting and tillage.
The organization is a nonprofit made up of volunteers and a 15-person committee that begins planning early each year. Volunteers are important in making sure the day runs smoothly by helping with cooking, garbage pickup and serving food.
“We have several volunteers who come back year after year. They love it, it’s a family affair,” Tesch shared.
As a returning host from 2016 and a fourth-generation farm, the Riewes understand the impact of family.
Riewe Farms was first purchased in 1915 by Adolph and Ida Riewe, with Clair and Delores Riewe assuming operations in 1946 followed by Richard and Diane Riewe in 1982 and the current generation of brothers Charlie and Kenny joining the tradition in 2024.
The dairy farm has grown over the decades to include nearly 300 acres and milks 140 cows twice daily in a double-8 parallel parlor, demonstrating their commitment to traditional and modern dairy practices.
“At the heart of Riewe Farms is a family deeply connected to the community. Charlie and his wife, Keriann, are raising their sons, Bennett and Greyson, with an appreciation for agriculture, service,and the importance of giving back to the community. Kenny and his wife, Stevie, are instilling those same values in their children, Wyatt and Riley, teaching them the meaning of responsibility, teamwork and caring for the land and neighbors around them,” the Oconto County Friends of Agriculture wrote.
Tesch echoed the sentiment, adding, “They’re a great family farm. They are heavily involved in their community and really believe in supporting the local community.”
Oconto County Breakfast on the Farm is an important event when it comes to support the community as all profits from the breakfast are reinvested into the community.
Funds are used to provide scholarships, support the Oconto County Youth Fair, finance student projects for the local Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapters and upgrade future Breakfast on the Farm events — as seen in the new mechanical bull being introduced this year.
Additionally, the Oconto County School Supply Drive, Inc. is accepting donations of notebooks, pens, pencils and more during the event. These items will be distributed to local families in need as part of their goal to provide every child in the community with equal access to the school supplies they need to learn, grow and succeed.
As the next breakfast event approaches, Tesch reiterated “it’s really all just about bringing the community together and sharing all about the great agriculture in our county.”
The Oconto County Breakfast on the Farm will be held on Sunday, June 14, at Riewe Farms, which is located at 6947 Old 15 Road, Oconto. Drivers should use the Rangeline Road address for GPS map directions and follow the posted signs for parking, which is situated at 7040 Rangeline Rd.
Breakfast will be served from 7:00 a.m. until noon, with a menu including scrambled eggs with cheese and ham, pancakes, sausage, and Canadian bacon, ice cream, coffee, water and more. All event activities will run until 1 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for one breakfast plate and advanced ticket line vouchers can be purchased for an additional $10. Tickets will be available for purchase at the farm on the day-of and are currently available at the following locations: Lena Faststop; Kelly Lake Kwik Stop; Oconto Falls, Gillett and Coleman branches of Peshtigo National Bank; and advanced tickets are sold at the Oconto Falls, Oconto, Peshtigo and Suring branches of the N.E.W. Credit Union.
For more information on the event, contact Jordan Rank at (920) 598-0350 or find the Oconto County Breakfast on the Farm Facebook page.
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