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:
Encourage academic learning through hands-on activities.
Develop practical, vocational and life skills.
Provide opportunities to serve and interact in our community.
Cultivate a safe and nurturing place for youth to interact.
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 Conservation to use best practices to protect the soil, water, and other resources
Hosted second annual Sundae on the Farm, September 26, 2021
Initiated Harvest Box program
Hosted first annual Brat Fry/Plant Sale May 8, 10-4
Awarded a grant from Wisconsin Farmers Union4
Awarded a general use grant recipient from Compeer Financial
Hosted two 4H meetings
Sponsored local youth in the Dairy Showcase of Champions at the Sheboygan County Fair
Participated in various local parades
Participated in Ducktona, a family festival in Sheboygan Falls
Participated in Mill Street Days festival to promote local agriculture
Construction of a new greenohuse by an anonymous donor
Nicole has been teaching high school education for the past 19 years
Mike has been an experienced dairy farmer for the past 30 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 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.