GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Dairy Business Association, in collaboration with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, honored Duane Ducat of Deer Run Dairy yesterday with the association’s second annual Community Outreach Award. This award recognizes farmers who are active in their community and share the stories and positive messages of dairy farms and products. It was presented during DBA’s 2025 Dairy Strong conference at the KI Convention Center.
“I’m honored to accept this award, and thank you to all of you,” Ducat said. “I’m very passionate about what we’re doing on our farm in terms of sustainability and using best management practices, but it doesn’t happen without the team. The Peninsula Pride Farms group has been fantastic to work with and work for, and it’s all of us coming together that’s making a difference in our sustainability work.”
Ducat farms in Kewaunee, Wis., with partners Derek Ducat and Dale Bogart. Their farm prioritizes sustainability for the benefit of their community, the farm and future generations to come.
As a founding member and the current president of Peninsula Pride Farms, a farmer-led watershed conservation group in northeastern Wis., Ducat is passionate about improving the environment and protecting natural resources. He’s also an active member of Farmers for Sustainable Food and participates in various data-driven sustainability projects.
At Deer Run Dairy, they utilize numerous sustainable practices, such as cover cropping and no-tillage. They also installed an anaerobic digester in 2011, which produces natural gas to power hundreds of local homes. The manure solids created from the digestion process are used for bedding for their cows. The farm is on the leading edge of implementing various conservation practices and serves as mentors for others who are interested in learning.
“Duane wholly deserves this award for his community involvement and for sharing the story of his farm, including all of the sustainability efforts he participates in,” Tim Trotter, DBA CEO, said. “His passion for promoting conservation and actively engaging with community members and neighbors is outstanding.”
Deer Run Dairy is a frequent host of farm tours for anyone from local community members to government officials. Ducat enjoys connecting with others and sharing his love of agriculture with those who are eager to learn.
More than 400 farmers and allied professionals, attended Dairy Strong. The conference featured presentations from leaders in dairy policy, farm management and sustainability.
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