#128: Milking More Than Cows: Diversifying the Farm Through Storytelling, Farm Camp, and Purpose)
“You don’t have to have a perfect farm — you just have to open the gate.”
This episode of Farming on Purpose features a candid, energizing conversation with Megan Daluge, a fifth-generation Wisconsin dairy farmer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Milk’n Mamas.
Alongside her sister Erin, Megan is proving that diversification doesn’t have to mean abandoning tradition. From launching farm camps and agritourism to running a women’s boutique and coaching other farmers on social media storytelling, Megan shares what it really looks like to build multiple income streams while keeping the dairy — and the family — at the center.
This episode pulls back the curtain on resilience, risk-taking, and what happens when farmers give themselves permission to evolve.
From Family Transition to a New Beginning
Megan and her sister officially began farming together full-time in 2018 — a year when hundreds of Wisconsin dairies shut their doors. What should have been a celebratory milestone was layered with industry pressure, family dynamics, and uncertainty.
After a difficult transition that left both sisters feeling stuck in roles that didn’t fit, an unexpected opportunity opened the door for them to step fully into the operation together. Rather than simply maintaining the status quo, they chose to grow differently — leaning into education, connection, and creativity.
Their goal wasn’t expansion for expansion’s sake. It was sustainability — financial, emotional, and generational.
A 100-Cow Dairy — and Knowing When “Enough” Is Enough
Today, the Daluge family milks about 100 registered Holsteins — a herd size Megan is proud of and intentional about.
It’s a size that works for their land, their labor, and their quality of life — but not one that supports multiple full-time family incomes on milk alone. That reality is what pushed them to think beyond the parlor.
Instead of scaling cows, they scaled opportunity.
Farm Camp: Where Education Meets Income
One of their most impactful — and profitable — diversification efforts is Farm Camp.
Designed to give kids a true look at life on a working dairy farm, camp days include:
Morning chores (feeding, bedding, watering calves)
Learning alongside real-time farm activity — haying, vet checks, milk pickups
Tractor washing, hayrides, and playground time
Dairy-based snacks, grilled cheese, and mini pizzas
A final-day pizza party and ice cream social where kids guide their parents on farm tours
What started as a simple idea has become a well-oiled machine — filling every year with returning campers and minimal advertising.
The biggest lesson?
Kids don’t need perfection. They want participation.
Overcoming Fear Around Agritourism
Like many farmers, Megan and her family had concerns before opening the farm to the public — safety, liability, activists, and worst-case scenarios.
Those fears never materialized.
Instead, they found families eager to learn, kids excited to work, and parents grateful for transparency. With clear rules, limited group sizes, and strong safety practices, Farm Camp became a bridge — not a burden.
More Than One Way to Diversify
Farm Camp wasn’t the only path they explored.
The sisters also launched a women’s boutique, first from Megan’s porch, then into a dual-purpose on-farm building, and eventually downtown. While retail brought its own challenges — overhead, timing, and market shifts — Megan speaks openly about trial, error, and learning when to pivot back.
The through-line? Nothing has to be forever.
Telling the Farm Story — and Teaching Others to Do the Same
Long before coaching, Megan and Erin were already sharing their farm life online.
What started as education turned into a decade-long journey in storytelling — and eventually, a coaching business helping other farmers, ranchers, and rural entrepreneurs do the same.
Today, Milk’n Mamas offers:
One-on-one coaching
Consulting and content creation
A free membership for farmers who want to start sharing their story
Their philosophy is simple: the goal isn’t to make a million dollars — it’s to keep a million farms going.
Social Media Without Burnout
Megan is quick to challenge the belief that social media requires constant posting or oversharing.
Her advice:
Start before you’re ready
Be who you actually are — polished or messy
Set boundaries around what you share
Focus on connection, not perfection
Remember: your neighbors don’t pay your bills
Even after stepping away from social media for three months, Megan returned without apology — proof that consistency matters more than constant presence.
Family, Partnership, and Making It Work
Behind every diversification effort is a strong support system.
Megan credits:
Her sister as a true business partner
A supportive brother-in-law who keeps the farm running
A dad willing to invest, trust, and let the next generation try new things
A family culture that values fun, flexibility, and shared responsibility
It may not look conventional — but it works.
For the Multi-Passionate Farmer
If you’ve ever felt pulled in more than one direction, Megan’s message is clear:
Try it.
Failure isn’t final — it’s information. Every attempt opens a new door, even when it doesn’t work out as planned. From keynote invitations to national brand partnerships, many of Milk’n Mamas’ opportunities came from simply being visible and willing.
What’s Next for Milk’n Mamas?
On the horizon:
Brand partnerships and affiliate collaborations
Speaking events — including out-of-state keynotes
Continued growth in coaching and education
And maybe, someday… their own milk-based product line
Nothing is off the table.
Connect with Megan & Milk’n Mamas
Instagram: @milknmamas
Facebook: Daluge Farm
TikTok: @milknmamas
Follow along to see what’s next — because with Milk’n Mamas, you never quite know what’s coming.
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About the Host of Farming On Purpose, Lexi Wright:
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media.
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