{meet the ripp's}

Keith Ripp grew up on his family’s dairy farm in northern Dane County, located 20 miles north of Madison, Wisconsin. Along with his five siblings, his parents, Eugene and Jean Ripp, instilled a strong work ethic. Side by side they all worked together and Keith learned at a very early age that the family farm only survives if everyone does their share. This strong work ethic has guided him into many accomplishments in his life.

While in high school, he became very active in the Lodi Wrestling program and the Lodi FFA Chapter. Wrestling brought many awards and medals under the watchful eye of one of his favorite mentors, Coach Jack Reinwand. Coach Reinwand taught more than wrestling, he taught the discipline and depth of an athlete carries with you throughout all the stages of your life. His other very influential mentor was Lodi FFA Advisor, Frank Fentress. Keith worked hard and accomplished his goal of receiving his American Farmer degree at the National FFA Convention. Keith was only the fourth person to receive the award in Lodi history.

Shortly after graduating from Lodi High School, Keith attended and graduated from the UW-Madison Agricultural & Life Sciences Short Course program. Within that year, the first partnership was formed with Keith and his parents. As the rolling herd’s average greatly improved, the farm expanded. Keith and Lori were married in April of 1984 and the purchase of the farm next door was their first home. Many international students visited their farms for the ABS Genetic Mating School, besides tours for Japanese and Argentina visitors, private schools in Madison, and the local Food for America programs in Lodi. Keith and Lori felt the need to educate the public about farming life.

As production agriculture endures change, so did the farm operation with the retiring of Eugene and Jean. The farm sold the cows and focused on quality livestock production. Today Keith & Lori’s farming operation custom feeds 350+ dairy replacement heifers for a local dairy farm and they cash crop close to 800 acres. They also own and operate a small commodities trucking business.

Keith and Lori chose to raise their three children in the quality of life they so valued. Instilling in their children their agricultural roots and community involvement. Rochelle is a senior at UW-Platteville, majoring in Agribusiness with an emphasis in Marketing and Communications and is interning this summer at ABS Global. Rochelle is a member of the UW-P's Student Ambassador Program, also. Ryan will start his freshman year at UW-Platteville in pursuit of an Agribusiness degree and minor in Education. After his training, Ryan joined the Dane Fire Department as a volunteer fireman. Radley is a 7th grader at Lodi Middle School and is fascinated with building farm equipment. Maybe a UW-Platteville Mechanical Engineering degree is in his future.

Keith and Lori encourage their children to get involved in their community and schools. Through organizations like 4-H, FFA, the Lodi Ag and Dane County Fairs, and Relay for Life, the community experience of pitching in and helping others is a reward itself. Their entire family shares their love for the fairs. Keith is the Swine Superintendent at the Dane County Fair. Lori is a member of the Lodi Ag Fair Board and an advisor for the Dane Dandy Doers 4-H Club. They are active in the Lodi Booster Club, Waunakee High School Business Mentor Program, and St. Patrick's Church in Lodi.