Finding a Way Back to the Farm
On a Wisconsin farm built through decades of grit and resilience, David Wilke never stopped believing in the future of agriculture. He could be described in many ways: caring, genuine, a loving father and husband, a mindful farmer and a community keystone. Although Wilke unfortunately passed away in 2024, he is still deeply loved and re-membered by those who knew him, especially his wife, Terri.
Wilke began his career in agriculture at a young age, driving a combine for a local vegetable canning factory. By the time he was in his early 20s, he was clearly committed to a career in farming. He bought his first field in the early 1980s, at the height of the farm crisis. Like many farmers during the era, Wilke maintained off-farm jobs. Even with the stress and commitment of balancing farming with other work, he did it well.
“He never did anything halfway,” Terri recalls, “He always put his heart and soul into it.” Terri and Dave met at church a few years after Dave began his farming ventures. They went on to create Wilke Farms LLC, growing the farm significantly as a team. Over the years, they raised diverse crops such as field corn, soybeans, wheat, hay, peas, green beans and more. They also maintained a growing herd of Holstein bull calves, starting with 10 calves and growing their operation. In their peak, the Willkes maintained around 900 animals and 1,600 acres of land.
Active Off the Farm
Amid the busy life of a farmer, Wilke was a committed community member, highly active in the church, local historical society and the Farm Bureau, serving as a delegate and a local chapter president for several years. With this, he was an avid advocate for conservation and educating the public about sustainable farming practices, even beginning the tradition of hosting local on-farm demonstrations to educate concerned citizens about farming practices. Living near Green Lake, a Wisconsin tourist destination, this helped ease local concerns about chemical run-off and irresponsible practices.
“He was all for educating people, whether it’s young or old or city or country folks,” Terri says. This extended to local FFA chapters as well. As an FFA alum, Wilke loved to support local youth in agriculture.
Wilke Farms funded scholarships for youth entering agriculture and even hosted the Ripon FFA Alumni Country Breakfast on their farm. Wilke Farms is still going strong after Wilke’s passing, thanks to Terri and their grandson, Cameron Wilke, who is helping carry on a legacy of kindness, passion and stewardship.
