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Taking a family’s vision further

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Waseda sign
Waseda Farms new owner, Jeff Shefchik, will further the Lutsey family's vision. for the business. Submitted photo

FOR THE STAR-NEWS

NORTHEAST WISCONSIN — Multi-generational farmers, history of agricultural innovation, love of the land and a commitment to a healthier way to produce food — these are just a few of the things that make the sale of the Waseda Farms Organics brand and business to Jeff Shefchik a story that keeps unfolding.

This story dates back to the mid-20th century as the late Thomas H. Lutsey made a name for himself as an inventor of ice cream snacks.

His life’s work as an innovator started as a child working on his family’s farm in Pulaski.

As a dairy farmer, he created groundbreaking concoctions in the dairy industry with automated machinery and sweet treats. He developed Gold Bond Ice Cream (later known as Good Humor-Breyers) and ice cream novelties such as the Eskimo Pie.

The agricultural and innovative legacy of Lutsey carried on through his son Tom Lutsey, who after a long career of helping his father’s efforts and steering other business-ownership efforts, founded Waseda Farms in 2008.

It was during a cancer run-in that Tom, who is now best known as “Farmer Tom,” started studying the health benefits of organic beef.

He, and the third generation of Lutseys — sons Matt, Jeff, Nic, Andrew — and their mom Sharon forged a path for the creation of an organic business on the family’s treasured land in the heart of Door County.

“Our vision was to create a certified organic, sustainable farm in Door County that would encourage the best environmental practices and humane animal treatment and provide agricultural jobs to a community we care an awful lot about,” said Tom Lutsey. “And we did it. I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished and grateful for all the support we received from the community along the way.”

The name Waseda Farms came from the priests who previously named, owned and maintained the land organically. As a result, the family joked that they were able to “raise holy cows.”

Tom’s son, Matt, served as long-time president of Waseda Farms, and son, Jeff, worked with restaurants in the region to share the benefits and deliciousness of local, organically grown beef, pork, chicken, eggs and produce while also expanding the farm’s solar power capabilities.

Waseda Farms grew to operate Waseda Farms Market on the farm, providing walk-in and curbside pickup orders at its butcher shop in De Pere and shipping nationwide through its online marketplace.

“Our family has focused on this business for the last 15 years. Now we’re each at stages in our lives where we have varied interests—while we will always have a kindred connection to the farmland,” said Lutsey, whose family will remain the owner and caretaker of the farm’s Door County land while Shefchik will own the Waseda Farms brand and business.

“We’ve found another person who is passionate about growing within the organics market. Our friend Jeff Shefchik shares our vision and has the enthusiasm to build this business and help more people benefit from organic quality products. We couldn’t be more pleased to have found Jeff to carry this business forward.”

Shefchik has farming roots of his own and a last name that is well-known in the counties of Door, Kewaunee and Brown. Growing up in Luxemburg, he raised animals for the county fair and worked on his neighbor’s dairy farm.

For the past 20 years, Shefchik grew Paper Transport, where he served for 15 of those years as the company’s president and part owner. Two years ago, after selling majority control of Paper Transport, Shefchik returned to his original love of animals and land by purchasing a 2,600-acre cattle ranch in southern Missouri.

The goal of the Missouri farm is to raise organic grass-fed cattle and to provide quality beef directly to the consumer.

By acquiring the Waseda Farms brand and business, Shefchik will add the Missouri farm as a supplier for Waseda Farm offerings.

Shefchik currently lives in De Pere with his wife, Lisa, and their five children.

“We are incredibly impressed by what the Lutsey family has done in the creation and growth of Waseda Farms. The brand, the market reach, the care for their animals and the land is remarkable. I feel very honored to be carrying Waseda Farms forward,” said Shefchik.

Shefchik’s early plans include growing all Waseda Farms production and sales operations.

This will include expanding the number of animals, including pork, in Door County.

“Tom and I both believe the Door County farm can raise more animals and the storefronts, including online, can bring more products to our loyal customers. We also seek to cast a wider net to grow within the rapidly expanding organic foods market,” said Shefchik. “Over the past 15 years, Waseda Farms has built a strong brand and base business. Now is a great time to grow this business and grow more quality and healthy food to feed our communities.”

The Lutsey family plans to continue to help Shefchik and seek to maintain their connection to the staff, individuals, organizations and families they have come to know.

“To all of you who have gotten to know Waseda Farms and the Lutsey family, and who have trusted us to be your farmers, well, it’s been a privilege. We have a list that’s two pages long of the many, many people who have been with us along the way. We’re honored to have been in the Door County agricultural community. We were so pleased to play a role in nourishing you and your loved ones. Your satisfaction is our greatest reward, and we are grateful for the opportunity to have contributed to your well-being. Now it’s time for another to take our family’s vision further,” said Lutsey.

Many of the Lutsey family commitments to the agricultural community will remain, including the administration of the Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms scholarship.

“My father would be very proud of the impact the scholarship program is having on dozens of communities in various regions of Wisconsin with the support of the future of agriculture through education,” Tom Lutsey said. “We look forward to the ongoing impact this will have on Wisconsin’s farms and food production.”

“All we can say now,” said added “is that the story will continue. Some old and some new characters, but the story and vision for innovative farming and healthy food continues.”

Kewaunee County, news, Northeast Wisconsin

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