About Us

Organizational Mission

Diamond Vu Agricultural Education Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization dedicated to support hands-on agricultural education programs and activities that help families gain an understanding of the essential role farming plays in our world, as well as the food choices they make every day.

 

Diamond Vu is designed to meet the needs in the community incorporating the following principles:

  1. Encourage academic learning through hands-on activities.
  2. Develop practical, vocational and life skills.
  3. Provide opportunities to serve and interact in our community.
  4. Cultivate a safe and nurturing place for youth to interact.
  5. Promote ecological awareness and responsibility.

Accomplishments

Diamond Vu Agricultural Education Center successfully accomplished the following since 2019:

  • Assessed the need for hands-on agricultural educational programs in eastern Wisconsin
  • Developed and began a remodeling program for farm buildings. Demolished two deteriorated outbuildings
  • Cleaned and assessed building needs for remodel
  • Developed and implemented the organization’s website and Facebook Page
  • Partnered with Sheboygan County Land and Water Conversation to use best practices to protect the soil, water, and other resources
  • Hosted first annual Sundae on the Farm, September 27, 2020
  • Mike has been an experienced dairy farmer for the past 30 years
  • Nicole has been teaching high school education for the past 18 years

Mike Butler, Dairy Farmer

Mike has spent the past 30 years obsessed with breeding an outstanding herd of Registered Holsteins and maintaining the good health of the herd.  He is very proud of the success he has had developing 16 excellent cows and breeding the Junior All American in 2005.  Mike freely employs the concept of sustainable intensification on the farm. This concept seeks to marry the need to maintain livestock farming activity with an eco-friendly approach which supports high animal welfare standards.

Nicole Butler, Master’s Degree Educator

Nicole graduated from UW-Platteville with a degree in Agricultural Education and Horticulture.  As a licensed master educator, she has worked in the Harford, West Bend, and Kewaskum school districts. Through her tenure as a local cut flower operation, Nicole was production manager for 10 years while she was teaching. She attended classes in San Diego, CA to enhance her grower knowledge.  Nicole has been creating floral arrangements for the past 23 years and has won numerous awards for her arrangements.

 

Endorsements

 

The organizations and/or individuals listed below have endorsed the mission of the Diamond Vu Educational Center.

 

  • Baker Street Consulting, LLC
  • B’s Bouquets
  • BouMatic
  • Elkhart Lake Farmer’s Market
  • Karrels Dairy
  • Majestic Crossing Dairy
  • Rumley Acres
  • Sixel and Schwinn
  • Sunset Apiaries
  • Wisconsin Antique Tractor Club
  • Wisconsin Farm Direct
  • Wisconsin Steam Engine Club

Areas to be served

 

The Diamond Vu Agricultural Center serves the following counties in Eastern Wisconsin –

 

  • Fond du Lac County
  • Kewaunee County
  • Manitowoc County
  • Ozaukee County
  • Sheboygan County
  • Washington County

Affiliations

 

Sheboygan Falls Chamber of Commerce, Member

Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, Member

Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin

Farm Direct of Wisconsin

2021 Goals/Activities

 

  • Host Diamond Vu Open House, September 26, 2021
  • Host Christmas on the Farm, December 11-12, 2021
  • Design and implement community garden for local food pantries, develop Harvest Box program
  • Garner interest and awareness of Diamond Vu
  • Plan and implement at least three community workshops: bouquet making, munchkin decorating, and Christmas planter arranging
  • Plan and implement at least 4 tour groups with local schools, estimated 400 students

Board of Directors

 

The Board consists of three elected officials.  Each director serves a 3-year term organized on a staggered basis. The by-laws, created July 19, 2019, govern the activities of the organization.  The Board operates in collaboration with community input to the implementation of the master plan.

Nicole Butler, President

Kewaskum School District

Robert Ridge, Vice-President

 Majestic Crossing Dairy

Thomas Reil, Treasurer

Waldo State Bank

Terry Mentink, Committee Director

Primerica Financial Services

Jennie Schoenfeld, Committee Director

Division Street Marketplace

Fiscal Information

 

2021 Budget: $28,000.  The organization’s funds follow current bookkeeping and accounting principles. Accountant: Maedex Tax and Farm Accounting in Fond du Lac, WI. The organization's US International Revenue Service FEIN number is 84-2451724 and received 501 (c)(3) status on April 17, 2019.

Master Plan

 

The organization’s 5-year master plan was created in conjunction with the Board of Directors.  The master plan will guide the activities of the Diamond Vu Agricultural Center in order to achieve outcomes to benefit the people served.

Future Vision

 

Remodeled Barn

Remodeled Dairy Barn

Lorrigan Construction created two architectural renderings of future buildings for Diamond Vu.  They are for a dairy barn and educational center.

The remodeled ADA accessible dairy barn will allow visitors with the ability to milk a cow and see milk flow from the cow into a bulk tank. Visitors will also learn about a fitbit for cows.

The Educational Center will contain a learning lab facility, classroom, and commercial kitchen.

Educational Center

Educational Center