For more than half a century, Ron Mitchell's workday began before sunrise, traveling the back roads of Monroe County to visit dairy farms, collect milk samples and visit with farm families.
Those who knew Ron say he was much more than a milk tester.
He was a mentor, an advocate for youth, a trusted friend and a familiar face whose dedication helped strengthen the county's dairy industry for nearly 60 years.
Ron, who died earlier this year, served as manager of the Monroe County Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) for 58 years. Remarkably, he was still working on behalf of Monroe County dairy farmers the day he passed away.
Born and raised near Cashton, Ron developed a love for agriculture early in life. After graduating from Cashton High School, he worked as a farmhand on Jim and Lois Wells' farm before joining Monroe County DHIA on June 1, 1968. Over the next five decades, he witnessed tremendous changes in dairy farming—from hand-recorded milk weights and bucket milking systems to computerized testing and modern milking parlors.
Ron recalled to others when milk was collected in buckets, weighed by hand, and samples were processed using laboratory centrifuges. While technology transformed the work, he said the most rewarding part of his career never changed: the people.
Those relationships became the defining feature of his career.
Nancy Brooks, niece of Jim and Lois, remembers Ron as a lifelong family friend. He often helped out on her parents', Morgan and Marlene Wells, farm. "He was the kind of guy who was always willing to help out," Nancy said. "I can recall helping him with baling hay when I was a kid; I would drive the tractor, and he would move the heavy bales."
Nancy recalls, "Ron was always friendly and cared about people, even when he wasn't testing milk; he would stop by and visit Randy and me just to see how we were doing. He would ask about the kids and grandkids; he always kept in touch with the family."
Over 58 years, Ron visited hundreds of Monroe County farms month after month, often watching children grow into parents and eventually grandparents running the same family operations.
Annette Trescher recalls Ron saying, "We might have started testing with Grandma and Grandpa, and now we're down to the kids," he said. "I have probably seen four generations come up in my time. When I think back to all the people I have gotten to know, it's a blessing."
To many dairy producers, Ron became part of the family.
"I think the farms where he was every month were his family," said Annette Trescher. "He was the kind of person who encouraged others to be the best they could be."
That encouragement extended well beyond the farm.
Ron was a longtime supporter of the Monroe County Fair and its dairy exhibitors. He attended dairy shows, sponsored awards through Monroe County DHIA, and ensured the organization supported youth by purchasing dairy baskets at the annual auction. He also encouraged young people unsure about showing cattle, recognized quality animals, and helped build confidence in young exhibitors.
"He had an eye for a good cow," the Trescher recalled. "If a kid wasn't sure whether they should show, Ron would encourage them. That's the kind of person he was. He wanted people to make themselves better."
Ron's influence reached fellow agricultural leaders as well.
After Monroe County DHIA partnered with AgSource Cooperative for laboratory testing, Ron encouraged local representation on the cooperative's board—Trescher credits Ron with persuading her to seek election, leading to 15 years of service.
"If it hadn't been for him, I don't think I ever would have done it," she said. "It's something I'll always be grateful to him for."
Although Ron never married or had children of his own, his impact was felt by countless farm families throughout Monroe County.
Now, that legacy will continue at the Monroe County Fair.
Following Ron's death, his four nieces and nephews made a memorial donation to the fair to honor his lifelong commitment to agriculture and youth education. The gift will fund projects that help visitors better understand Wisconsin's dairy industry, including a hands-on milking simulator for children and an interactive display explaining how milk is transformed into cheese and cheese curds.
The donation has also made it possible to install a memorial bench on the fairgrounds, offering visitors a place to sit and reflect.
Fair officials said they are grateful for the family's tribute and the opportunity to ensure Ron's passion for agriculture continues to educate future generations.
It is a fitting memorial for a man whose life's work was never just about testing milk. It was about building relationships, encouraging young people and helping Monroe County's dairy community thrive.
For nearly six decades, Ron Mitchell quietly served others, one farm at a time. His route through the countryside has ended, but his influence continues to be felt in the barns, fairgrounds and farm families he cared for.
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