[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 60 (Wednesday, April 25, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E655]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING MASTER AGRICULTURIST DALE HINES

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                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 25, 2012

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to congratulate a 
second-generation dairy farmer from my home district in western 
Wisconsin. Dale Hines is a hard-working man from the beautiful small 
town of Ellsworth who was recently recognized as a Master 
Agriculturist. This distinction, awarded by the magazine Wisconsin 
Agriculturist, recognizes Wisconsin farmers who not only display an 
ability to raise crops or livestock, but those who also dedicate 
significant time to their family, communities, churches, farm 
organizations, and other local efforts.
  I'm proud to be from an area so rich with agricultural history--an 
area which celebrates and appreciates the hard-working men and women 
who work on our farms, raising crops and livestock, helping to put food 
on our tables. The family farm is an important American institution, 
and Dale Hines and the rest of the Hines family are an embodiment of 
that spirit. As a child, Dale grew up surrounded by farming. Even at a 
young age, he spent his time milking his family's 30 Holstein cows 
along with his older brothers--a chore which became a full-time career 
for Dale after graduating from Ellsworth High School in 1977. Today, 
the Hines Ranch, which was recognized in 1987 as the Wisconsin 
Conservation Farm of the Year, has grown exponentially. They cultivate 
810 acres of land and milk 80 cows, a herd which produces more than 
28,000 pounds of milk per cow.
  However, despite their farm's growth amidst the ever-changing world 
of farming, one thing has never changed for the Hineses: the importance 
of the family-run operation. Although only Dale's family lives in the 
farmhouse, the entire extended family is still very much involved with 
the farm's day-to-day operations. Everyone helps out in whatever way 
they can, whether it's helping with the planting and harvesting of the 
crops, constructing all of the farm's buildings, or keeping track of 
the books--a task which Dale's 85-year-old mother Joyce still does to 
this day.
  The Hines family is truly an example to follow, both due to the 
success of their farm and the importance they place on family. It is 
with great pride that I rise today and congratulate Dale Hines, a 
dedicated father, farmer, and citizen, on having received proper 
recognition of the hard work that he and his family have put forth over 
the last half-century. He is truly deserving of the title of Master 
Agriculturist, and I wish him and the rest of the Hines family all of 
the best in the future.

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