Kewaunee farmer Duane Ducat has come a long way since talking about the dairy industry during breaks working at the power plant. Ducat, a part-owner of Deer Run Dairy in Kewaunee and president of Peninsula Pride Farms, was recognized on Thursday with the Dairy Business Association's Community Outreach Award during the 2025 Dairy Strong Conference in Green Bay.

Before he joined Peninsula Pride Farms, his outreach consisted of just conversations at work and hosting the Kewaunee County Breakfast on the Farm. That has turned into hosting other events like the Farm to Fork Gala, welcoming tour groups, and becoming a vocal leader of agriculture-related groups like Peninsula Pride Farms and Farmers for Sustainable Food. Ducat was humbled by receiving the award but also proud to be able to share his story with farmers and non-farmers alike.

Ducat's Deer Run Dairy has undertaken several sustainability efforts since installing an anaerobic digester in 2011, such as cover cropping and no-tillage. He will help lead discussions at the Peninsula Pride Farms' Annual Meeting, which is slated for February 3rd  in Luxemburg.

Picture courtesy of the Dairy Business Association