FarmFit Farmer
FarmFit Farmer

She doesn’t own a gym bag — just chore gloves, 5 gallon buckets, and feed bags that don’t lift themselves.

No Gym. Just Chores.

The FarmFit Farmer is CrossFit — farm style. She doesn’t need a trainer yelling “one more rep.” The cows handle that — loudly and without encouragement. Feed sacks don’t care how you’re feeling. Hay bales don’t respect “bad backs.” And manure? Congratulations, you’ve just unlocked weighted resistance, questionable footing, and a core workout you didn’t ask for.

Her workout plan is simple: lift it, drag it, carry it, repeat until someone needs something — which they will. Her step count explodes anytime a gate gets left open. And yes, chasing cows absolutely counts as cardio, especially when they’re jogging and you’re reconsidering your life choices. That’s just another day.

The Farm Runs on Her (and a Core Built by Chores)

Her grip strength was forged opening frozen gates and wrestling feed bags that swear they’re “about 50 pounds” and then ruin your day. Her balance comes from slick concrete, sideways cows with opinions, and that one mystery-wet spot in the barn that science can’t explain.

She doesn’t count macros; she counts milkings. She knows when to push, when to pace herself, and when recovery looks like sitting on an overturned bucket with a cold glass of chocolate milk. Around here, the strength isn’t aesthetic. It’s functional. And it shows whether she’s fixing a fence, loading a trailer, or finishing chores long after the sun clocks out.

Recovery is elite-level farm science: drink milk, eat cheese, and do it all again tomorrow.

Truth Behind the Humor

Dairy farming is one of the most physically demanding professions in America. It’s early mornings, long days, and year-round labor in unpredictable conditions. But there’s a growing recognition across the industry: farmers have to care for themselves, too. Physical health, mental well-being, and sustainability of the person behind the farm are just as important as the operation itself.

Meet the Farmer who was Born to Dairy

Carolyn Alsteen is truly powered by chores and fueled by dairy. As an active dairy farmer at Alsteen Farms in Lena, Wisconsin, she’s also a passionate health and fitness advocate. Carolyn hosts Fitness on the Farm and youth days throughout the summer, inspiring the next generation to stay active and connected to agriculture. Fuel up with Carolyn on Facebook and Instagram @AlsteenFarms and @carolynalsteen. 

Just real work, real strength, and real dairy — exactly how Wisconsin does it.

Do you know a Wisconsin Original?

Tell us about your favorite farmer.

Suggest a Wisconsin Original


You can support Wisconsin dairy farmers by eating Wisconsin cheese, drinking real dairy milk, loading up on butter and ice cream, and always looking for the Proudly Wisconsin badges.