Huelsman Marks 50-Year Career With National Farmers
Life is like a roller coaster – full of unexpected twists and turns. With only a glimpse of the tracks ahead, we rarely know what’s coming.
Sue Huelsman began her life on her family’s dairy farm in west-central Ohio. Surrounded by cattle and constant chores, she worked alongside her father and brothers, embracing a life she hadn’t chosen.
Cattle contentedly munching feed, the steady hum of the milking parlor, and the rhythmic plodding of hooves as cows exited the stanchions brought comfort and a sense of place.
“Growing up, I was always helping my dad – milking, feeding – we were always together. It was us and the dairy cows.” Huelsman recalled.
When it came time to find a job, she landed one at a local factory. The work was steady, the commute reasonable, and the pay good. But something was missing.
“My dad told me I should apply for an open lab position with National Farmers testing milk. He was always a huge supporter of the organization.” she said.
Cattle contentedly munching feed, the steady hum of the milking parlor, and the rhythmic plodding of hooves as cows exited the stanchions brought comfort and a sense of place.
“Growing up, I was always helping my dad – milking, feeding – we were always together. It was us and the dairy cows.” Huelsman recalled.
When it came time to find a job, she landed one at a local factory. The work was steady, the commute reasonable, and the pay good. But something was missing.
“My dad told me I should apply for an open lab position with National Farmers testing milk. He was always a huge supporter of the organization.” she said.
Though she couldn’t quite explain why, Huelsman applied and accepted the job in 1975. “The commute was farther, and the pay was less. All my friends thought I was crazy.” she said.
Fifty years have passed since she first stepped into the National Farmers office in Celina, Ohio. The dairy industry has changed dramatically.
“When I began working in the lab, we tested the butterfat in milk using the Bab-cock method. Later, in the bacteria lab, I mixed agar, grew bacteria in petri dishes, and used stains for identification;’ she said. “Now everything is automated.”
After 16 years in the lab, Huelsman began dispatching milk trucks in 1991 – another area of change. “We had all DFA and NFO milk on separate trucks.” she said. “I started dispatching just NFO milk trucks in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.”
Fifty years have passed since she first stepped into the National Farmers office in Celina, Ohio. The dairy industry has changed dramatically.
“When I began working in the lab, we tested the butterfat in milk using the Bab-cock method. Later, in the bacteria lab, I mixed agar, grew bacteria in petri dishes, and used stains for identification;’ she said. “Now everything is automated.”
After 16 years in the lab, Huelsman began dispatching milk trucks in 1991 – another area of change. “We had all DFA and NFO milk on separate trucks.” she said. “I started dispatching just NFO milk trucks in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.”
When Jim Buelow became regional director, he added the Northeast to her responsibilities. Eventually, DFA and NFO milk were combined to reduce transportation costs.
“I then worked more on the accounting side -writing tickets, ensuring lab records were correct, and helping make sure everything balanced out.” she said.
Why did Huelsman stay in a job for 50 years when she can’t remember why she accepted it in the first place? The answer lies in her roots. “I’m a farm girl at heart and loved the farmers and their employees that I worked with.” she said.
“I then worked more on the accounting side -writing tickets, ensuring lab records were correct, and helping make sure everything balanced out.” she said.
Why did Huelsman stay in a job for 50 years when she can’t remember why she accepted it in the first place? The answer lies in her roots. “I’m a farm girl at heart and loved the farmers and their employees that I worked with.” she said.
She also appreciated the variety and challenges. “No two days were identical, even after a few decades.” she said. And finally, Huelsman believes in National Farmers Organization’s mission of supporting family farmers. “Building community and working together for the common good is important – maybe more now than ever before.” she said.
“Sue has been an exemplary co-worker and employee. She is from an extremely dedicated National Farmers family, which started with her dad, Don, continued with Sue’s brothers Ralph and Tom, and is heading toward the third generation;’ said Pat Lampert, National Farmers livestock director.
“Sue has been an exemplary co-worker and employee. She is from an extremely dedicated National Farmers family, which started with her dad, Don, continued with Sue’s brothers Ralph and Tom, and is heading toward the third generation;’ said Pat Lampert, National Farmers livestock director.
Looking Ahead
What does the next chapter hold? Kicking back, enjoying life, and spending time with her grandchildren top the list.
Dating John Goettemoeller, who runs a small grain farm in Botkins, Ohio, Huelsman is enjoying a slower pace tied to the seasons and farm work. She visits her three sons – Christopher, Daniel and Stephen – as often as possible. But it’s the grandkids who light up her world.
Her granddaughter Elise, 7, is “all girl.” Ice skating competitions and dance recitals are must-attend events for Huelsman. Elise is soon to make her stage debut as a butterfly in “The Nutcracker;’ a role she has “dreamed about her whole life.”
Huelsman also has two grandsons, twins Dominic and Blake, 11, who are as different as night and day. A day out often involves roller coasters at Kings
Island. She also attends their Ninja Games, where no-hand backflips keep Grandma holding her breath.
As she steps away from work, life ahead will undoubtedly still have its ups and downs – and twists and turns. Having ridden big roller coasters her whole life, hands high in the air and a smile on her face,
Huelsman is ready for the next adventure.
Huelsman also has two grandsons, twins Dominic and Blake, 11, who are as different as night and day. A day out often involves roller coasters at Kings
Island. She also attends their Ninja Games, where no-hand backflips keep Grandma holding her breath.
As she steps away from work, life ahead will undoubtedly still have its ups and downs – and twists and turns. Having ridden big roller coasters her whole life, hands high in the air and a smile on her face,
Huelsman is ready for the next adventure.
