Philip and Laura Finger of Oconto were selected as the Wisconsin 2020 Outstanding Young Farmers during the 66th annual OYF awards weekend, held Jan. 24-26 in Chippewa Falls, Wis.

Philip is the fifth generation to farm on his family’s farm. The Fingers farm 1,900 acres and milk 540 cows. Philip’s passion is genetics, while Laura takes care of the calves. The Fingers will host their county Breakfast on the Farm in 2022, which is the 150th anniversary of their family farm.

The Fingers are sponsored by Genex, Valley Vet and Vita Plus.

The first runner-up is Katy Schultz of Fox Lake. Schultz is a partner in Tri-Fecta Farms Inc. She is also the Speak Up for Agriculture Award winner. Schultz is sponsored by Ballweg Equipment, Compeer Financial, Vita Plus and Waupun Equipment.

Jeremy and Heather Natzke of Green Leaf are the second runners-up. Jeremy is the fifth generation on his family farm, Wayside Dairy. They are sponsored by CP Feeds, GPS Dairy Consulting, GreenStone Farm Credit Services, Luxemburg-Casco Jaycees, and Riesterer and Schnell.

Other finalists include:

Judges for the event were Steve Bodart of Elk Mound, a senior dairy consultant with Compeer Financial; Lyssa Seefeldt, Eau Claire County Extension agriculture agent; and Sam Zimmerman of Ringle, a past Wisconsin OYF state winner and national OYF winner who operates On-Q Holsteins LLC near Wausau. The awards banquet master of ceremonies was Scott Schultz, farm broadcaster with WAXX radio.

An ag forum training session for the candidates was led by Trisha Wagner and area ag agents/educators with Daphne Holterman, past Wisconsin OYF state winner and national OYF winner, on Jan. 24. Candidates also toured area businesses, including Seibel’s Organic Dairy in Bloomer and Leinenkugel’s Brewery in Chippewa Falls.

Diamond Sponsors of the OYF event are Compeer Financial, GreenStone FCS, Lallemand Animal Nutrition, Micro Technologies, USAgNet, Vita Plus, Wayside Dairy/Dan and Barb Natzke, and Professional Dairy Producers, which awarded the finalists a membership and registration to the annual PDPW Business Conference.