The Schlimgen Family
Matt Winchell, Hope (Schlimgen) Winchell, Luke Winchell, Dennis Schlimgen, Lisa Schlimgen, Juli (Cooper) Schlimgen, Patrick Schlimgen
Olivia Jones, Paul Jones, Everly Jones, Julie (Schlimgen) Jones, Aubrey Jones
Our Story
35 years ago we realized our dream, which is nestled on 280 acres of the prettiest country in the Driftless region of Southern Wisconsin. We were raised as local farm kids. It was always our dream to raise our children on a farm just as we were raised; hence the name, "Dreamy 280". We fulfilled our dream by raising our children on our Blue Mounds farm. They grew up caring for their animals, showing cattle, and learned to love the farm and all that comes with it just as we did. With a lifetime of experience, we raise beef that consumers desire and seek out. Our cattle herd began with 5 Hereford cows that has grown and evolved into 125 Angus and Shorthorn cattle.
DENNIS SCHLIMGEN - Dennis does all aspects of morning and night chores, plants and harvests the crops, manages the cattle feed program, assists with breeding decisions, maintains the farm machinery, does all farm repairs and maintenance, and manages all cattle sales. Dennis also works off the farm as owner and operator of Specialized Electric, Inc. Specialized Electric is was founded in 1987 and is a commercial electrical contracting business that has 20 employees.
LISA SCHLIMGEN - Lisa manages the meat business, takes care of all farm record keeping and advertising, helps as needed with field work, does daily farm chores, handles herd health, and is actively involved in calving out the cows during the spring and fall. For 20 years, Lisa was a sign language interpreter and taught sign language. She also holds a BA in Human Resource Managment. She left the public workforce to manage Dreamy 280 Farm Fresh Meats, LLC on a full-time basis.
JULIE (SCHLIMGEN) JONES - Julie, Paul, Olivia, Aubrey, and Everly Jones live in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, on 5 acres of the Dreamy 280 farm. Julie works in the Mount Horeb School District as a Math Interventionist. The Jones family's help is invaluable with the farm store, special events, and farm chores. Julie is a shareholder of Specialized Electric and assists there with office management.
PATRICK SCHLIMGEN - Patrick and his wife Juli own a farm in Argyle, Wisconsin, named Dreamy 280 South, LLC. Their farm is an extension in all aspects of Dreamy 280. Patrick works collaboratively with Dennis in managing all of the cattle at both farms. Dreamy 280 South's rotationally grazed pastures are perfect for summer grazing and its pasture irrigation system ensures that the grass is always lush and ready for cows to graze. When herd bulls are not in use they are maintained at Dreamy 280 South. Patrick makes breeding and mating decisions, performs artificial insemination, markets and sells Dreamy 280 cattle, works to get the show cattle ready, helps with all field work, and is always ready to help whenever needed. Patrick is a shareholder of Specialized Electric where he works full time as an electrician.
HOPE (SCHLIMGEN) WINCHELL - Hope, Matt, and Luke live in Avalon, Wisconsin and own a 20 acre farmette. In the summertime young stock are pastured at their farm. Hope enjoys helping with the show cattle when she has time off from being a Special Education teacher. The Winchells are always willing to help at Dreamy 280 when needed. Hope makes regular meat sale deliveries to customers in and around the Janesville area.
