Thirty years ago, 70 percent of Thorp students either worked on a farm or were from farms and today it’s 12 percent.”

Glen Schraufnagel, Thorp FFA Advisor

Led by Glen Schraufnagel, Thorp FFA Advisor, members of the Thorp FFA displayed their acting skills for the Town of Thorp Board Wednesday night at the May 10 meeting. FFA students presented on the workforce crisis that is currently facing local dairy farms, specifically employee shortages.  Students practiced their public speaking skills and welcomed questions and feedback from the Town of Thorp Board members as they rehearsed for the Ag Issues Contest in Madison on June 12. To prepare for the presentation, students interviewed farmers from local farms and asked their opinions on the issues facing dairy farmers today, including Hispanic workers, the use of robotic milkers, and the shortage of available workers. These issues resonated with board members as four out of the five town board members had been employed or lived on farms in the past. Schraufnagel remarked on the students’ research discovering that dairy farms are facing a decline of high school workers.

“Thirty years ago, 70 percent of Thorp students either worked on a farm or were from farms and today it’s 12 percent.”

The meeting also saw new member Bob Kodl in his first meeting since being voted into his position. Kodl was recently voted as 2^nd Supervisor while Jerry Jacks is the current chairman with previous Chairman Andy Slowiak as 1^st supervisor.

Town of Taft Chairman Darrell Thompson attended the meeting to discuss an issue with a ditching approval on County Line Road, the boundary road between the Town of Taft and the Town of Thorp.  With no written agreement, each town separately maintains three miles of the road. It was determined that the Town of Thorp doesn’t have the authority to approve the ditching requested by the Town of Thorp resident as the road is maintained by the Town of Taft. The town resident will be notified that he needs to request a permit granting privileges in right of way from Taft. Considering the new information, a motion was made by Bob Kodl to deny the resident’s request of the Town of Thorp to do the ditching on County Line Road. Slowiak seconded the motion, and as all were in favor, the motion carried.