Welcome to Leum Jerseys
Hello and welcome! My name is Donna, and my husband is Tommy. Together we own and operate Leum Jerseys located between Westby and Viroqua, Wis.
We just celebrated our 37th wedding anniversary. I must admit I didn’t know what I was getting into from the start. You don’t just marry the farmer, you marry the farm, the occupation, the lifestyle and everything that goes with it. And I wouldn’t change a thing! I quickly discovered my love for life on the dairy farm.
Though farming has its challenges, it also brought us a beautiful and strong-knit family. We have two children, Carrie Jo and Jacob, who are not-so-much children anymore. Both have remained in the dairy agri-business industry where they utilize their experiences from growing up and working on the farm. Carrie Jo is a program assistant for the USDA-NRCS, and Jacob works for a bovine genetics company conducting business development and operations.
A small family-owned farm is such a great place to raise a family. Farm kids learn responsibility at a young age. Growing up, the kids helped when they could, but school and their extracurricular activities always came first. We had a few health situations where the kids saved us. They did all the chores one summer while we recouped from our surgeries. We are so lucky to have them.
Our farm sits on roughly 130 acres just off of Highway 14 between Westby and Viroqua. The location is ideal. Being only a few miles away from either city, quickly running into town for new parts or to take the kids to wherever they needed to go was never an issue.
Our name, Leum Jerseys, comes from our registered jersey herd. We decided on Jerseys because Tommy grew up with them, and they have value in cheese production. Our farm genomic tests all animals with the overall goal of herd improvement. Genomic testing allows us to breed healthy, productive cows.
We have been a part of the Westby Cooperative since the early 2000s, and I have been serving on the Creamery’s Board of Directors since 2019. Though before all of that, I have worked there on and off for many years helping out at the cheese store over the holidays and working the curd-mobile before it was sold to a private party.
In addition to being the Board of Director’s vice president, I am the Vernon County Fair Board secretary and Our Savior’s Cemetery Association secretary/treasurer. I also like to work on my lawn and flowerbeds, cook, bake and do crafts. Most of all, I love to be with my two grandkids – Chloe and Cash!
I’m thankful for every opportunity dairy farming has brought my way, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds. Thanks for stopping by!
-Donna
