Recognizing a hard-working woman committed to dairy

It never ceases to amaze me about all the great people who make extraordinary contributions to worthy organizations throughout Steele County and elsewhere.
This week I came across one of those people once again. She is a quiet leader and one of the hardest working women I have ever seen.
Mary Schroeder of rural Owatonna was presented with a lifetime achievement award Saturday afternoon by the Steele County American Dairy Association.
Over the years, I have seen Schroeder at work firsthand on her dairy farm south of Owatonna. She started out as a young child helping her grandpa, Bernard Jirele, before taking over the operation.
Schroeder, a 1984 graduate of Owatonna, actually left the area for a few years to get her animal science degree at the University of Wisconsin River Falls. But as soon as she graduated, it was back home to the cow barn where she has been ever since.
A few years ago, during an interview, I found out just exactly how important dairy farming is for Schroeder. When asked about her greatest accomplishment, she responded with heavy emotion: “Having my kids involved with my lifestyle. I want them to know (begins crying and wipes tears away) how hard in life that my grandparents had to work. It’s just emotional for me. There is so much pride in being a part of it.”
What has always impressed me about Schroeder is her dedication and commitment to the dairy industry. It’s not often you find women managing a dairy herd. For decades, men have dominated farming. But she has been part of a growing phenomenon that has changed the landscape of America’s farms with women having a growing presence in U.S. agriculture.
While Schroeder is a smaller person, it has never prevented her from being able to physically handle the larger animals.
Within the past year, Schroeder has scaled back her operation for health reasons. In fact, she no longer milks cows but keeps a few steers on hand and raises some calves.
She is also leaving the ADA Board, which she served for almost 30 years with most of the time as its secretary. While on the board, she helped run the princess program, junior ambassadors, dukes and duchesses, Oreo the cow, petting zoo, parades, family festivals, milking contests, Breakfast on the Farm and perhaps most notably, the milk stand. Basically, if there was any sort of dairy promotion going on in the county, Schroeder was involved somehow.
In giving her the board’s lifetime achievement award Saturday, officials pointed out how she has spent her entire life in the dairy industry. She spent many years involved in 4-H, dairy club, DHIA and FFA. “She is a hard-working, behind-the-scenes person who will be greatly missed on the Steele County Dairy Board,” the group said. “She has given her time and talent to many areas of the dairy industry over the years.”
“It made me emotional,” said Schroeder, adding she shed a few tears while receiving the award.
A current board member shared with me how losing Schroeder on the board will create “some big shoes to fill.”
While Schroeder has cut back on her involvement with dairy, one thing will always remain. She will always be in hot pursuit of remembering and living out her passion for the dairy industry.
 
 
Photo: Mary Schroeder of Owatonna has received a lifetime achievement award from the Steele County American Dairy Association for nearly 30 years of service to the organization.