On a day when many were anxious to take advantage of the weather to get out to their fields, farmers in Kewaunee County did take time Thursday morning to honor the life of one of their own. The Kewaunee County Dairy Promotion Committee honored the late Andy Barta with the volunteer recognition award at its Dairy Month Kickoff Breakfast held at the Rendezvous of Luxemburg. Ebert Enterprises owner Randy Ebert and Kewaunee County UW-Extension Agriculture Agent Aerica Bjurstrom reminisced about Barta not just for his role as the general manager at the Rio Creek Feed Mill, but as an avid volunteer of all things agriculture and a loving father and husband. His wife Alison accepted the award on his behalf, telling those in attendance that Barta appreciated the relationships he was able to form in the place he called home before passing away from cancer last year.

It was the second straight year the Kewaunee County Dairy Promotion Committee gave the volunteer recognition award posthumously, honoring the late John Pagel last year. The annual breakfast serves as a kickoff to a special week for the committee, culminating with the Kewaunee County Breakfast on the Farm at Kinnard Farms in Casco on Father’s Day.