Ludlow: Kewaunee Rotary Club to honor Randy and Renee Ebert of Ebert Enterprises

I hope everyone has dug out from one of the worst blizzards in over 100 years. We really got dumped on this time. As this is written, it's not really April 18, it's really Day 98 of January. At least that's what it feels like.

But, enough weather talk.

The Kewaunee Rotary Club has selected Randy and Renee Ebert to be this year's Persons of the Year. A ceremony will be held May 6 at Beverly Gardens, 5911 Pine Grove Road, Denmark. There is a social hour beginning at 5:30 p.m., with dinner and the program beginning at 6:30. Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased from any Rotary member, the Novak Agency in Kewaunee, and Nicolet Bank or Bank of Luxemburg branches.

Ebert Enterprises is home to Randy and Renee Ebert. Randy is an Algoma High School graduate and Renee graduated from Kewaunee and IBA Cosmetology School. The couple purchased the farm from Randy's parents in 1987, the same year they were married, and have been farming ever since. The farm went from zero to 1,000 cows in five years, and between 2002 and 2012 the number doubled in size.

In 2012 the Eberts acquired a neighboring farm, increasing their herd to 3,000 milking cows.

Ebert Enterprises now milks over 4,000 cows and farms over 7,000 acres of alfalfa, corn and cover crops with alternative forages, providing jobs for over 50 employees.

Randy and Renee have been married for 30 years and have three children: a son, Jordan, and twin daughters Whitney and Britney. Jordan graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with degrees in Dairy Science and Business and is employed by ABS Global.

Whitney is a junior at UW-La Crosse, pursuing degrees in Therapeutic Recreation, working with individuals with disabilities, and Nutrition. Britney was born with hydrocephalus and epilepsy, which presented many challenges in learning and development. She passed away May 12, 2016, at 19 years old. Her parents say that in her short life, she touched many people's lives and taught the family more than anyone could imagine.

Renee and Randy are very involved in their community and are passionate about the dairy industry. They are members of the Kewaunee County Dairy Promotion, Farm Bureau, Peninsula Pride, Kewaunee County Futurity, Ag Heritage and St. Paul's Church of Algoma.

The Eberts say they were honored and humbled to be the host farm for the 2017 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days and were proud to showcase the diverse heritage  and economic value of all agriculture. 

The program for the Rotary event includes remarks by emcee Jack Novak and four different speakers, plus the presentation of the award by Rotary President Addie Bernard.

So, get your tickets today and help the Kewaunee Rotarians honor this hard-working farm family of Kewaunee County. I'll see you there.

Have a great week, everyone.

Barb Ludlow is a former Kewaunee County reporter. Email her at bludlow1@charter.net.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Ludlow: Kewaunee Rotary Club to honor Randy and Renee Ebert of Ebert Enterprises