Coehoorns benefit from multiple National Farmers programs

     New National Farmers National Board of Directors Member Darlene Coehoorn sees things from a practical standpoint. That's her take for National Farmers, and for Viewpoint Organic Acres, the operation she and her husband, Dan, own and operate near Rosedale, Wis.
     Coehoorn was sworn into the National Board at Convention '10 in Coralville, Iowa, on Jan. 20, and offers some foundational thoughts about where National Farmers needs to go.
     Now, keep in mind, the Coehoorn operation is named Viewpoint Organic Acres, not based on scenic sights on their farm, but on the couples' willingness to share their opinions with others, Darlene says. So, it is fitting that Darlene serves on the national board as a voice for progress in the organization. Even their e-mail address incorporates the word viewpoint.
     "I know that we need to be competitive in the marketplace," she says. "And we need to do things to get more competitive, and mostly we need to remember we are representing farmers."
     Coehoorn is familiar with membership dynamics in Wisconsin, and with price concerns conventional producers are experiencing. But she knows the success of the innovative programs National Farmers has developed in its area of expertise, marketing farmers' commodities at the best possible price, using volume selling, risk management and insurance.
     "We believe in collective bargaining," she says. "NFO gives farmers a voice in the marketplace. That's what we believe."
     On the Coehoorn's operation, the couple markets their Grade A milk through National Farmers Organic Valley partnership, and the organic grain that is not used in the dairy, through NForganics. They also use National Farmers Crop Insurance. They raise hay, corn, wheat, oats, rye, soybeans, barley, spelt, sweet corn and peas.

Change happens
     First, Dan and Darlene transitioned their grain operation from conventional to organic in the mid-1990s, then in 2000, they transitioned their dairy operation. The move was based on a pragmatic decision.
     "We didn't intend to go organic; we were attempting to be sustainable," Darlene Coehoorn says. "Price was the ultimate motivator, and the fact that we wanted to continue farming, and to be able to afford to do it."
     At the time of the switch, the Coehoorns were dealing with the financial pressure of conventional milk's base price in the $9/cwt. range, and they knew organic was in the $18/cwt. range.
     Today, she points out, organic producers are under price pressures, along with conventional. National Farmers continues to negotiate contracts, prices and terms favorable to help offset financial pressures producers are experiencing.
     As far as the workload of organic versus conventional, she says, "It gets easier and easier the longer you're in it. Like anything, it has challenges. The dairy end, particularly, is getting easier. Cropping is more of an issue, because we're dealing with weather."
     The Coehoorns want to do a good job producing milk. "We are ultimately the first people who drink our milk, and I want it good for me first, and it works out well for everybody else that way, too," she says.
     Cow cleanliness and feed are critical to quality milk production, along with eliminating stress everywhere you can, Darlene says. The first system professional National Farmers had many years ago, she credits with helping them save their operation and improving their quality. Today, Steve Graczyk, their sales representative, who also helps National Farmers dairy producers meet standards necessary to pass inspections, handles system analysis.
     The Coehoorns keep a specific division of responsibilities. In the dairy operation, Darlene handles the milking, in their 52-tie-stall barn, while Dan handles the feeding. Dan covers the work in the 550-acre grain operation, with 313 acres owned and the balance rented.
     Dan and Darlene have four children, Danielle, Ben, Dora and Robert. Danielle, a CPA, is married to Steve Wills, and they have a daughter, Michelle, who will be two in June. Ben works as a diesel mechanic, and helps with the chores and tractors when he's available, living on the farm.
     Dora is a financial adviser who wants to specialize in estate and succession planning for farmers. Robert, a mechanical engineer, helps on the farm, and is getting married in May to Lori De Golier. "They're smart kids. Good kids, too," Darlene says.