Our Story

Vince and Dawn Hundt - Poplar Coulee Ridge Farm

St. Brigid’s Meadow’s story began on another farm with another family. In 1978, Vince and Dawn Hundt bought Poplar Coulee Ridge Farm in Coon Valley and began dairying and building a family. By 1989, they made the full leap to organic. Together, with over 45 years of working the land, they became experts in organic farming and rotational grazing among many other regenerative farming practices.

In 2011, when most folks his age are easing into retirement, Vince decided the time was right to start a second farm! The purpose of this new farm would be to resurrect the diversified family farm and to educate the community about the benefits of eating locally raised, healthy whole foods. He rescued an old dairy farm down the road that was slated to be destroyed and used to dump sewage sludge from the city of La Crosse. This new farm became St. Brigid’s Meadows. In 2022, Vince and Dawn were ready to step back and take on a mentoring role and began searching for a family to take over. They connected with the Doylend family.

                                            The Doylends - St. Brigid's Meadows Farm

The Doylends are first-generation farmers. In spring 2024, they moved to the beautiful driftless region, to continue the stewardship of St. Brigid’s Meadows as a small family farm.

Joe served as a military helicopter pilot for 11 years. When covid hit, his passion for organic gardening and raising animals for food became more than a hobby. He began to search for a way to trade in his Griffin helicopter for a vintage Massey Ferguson. You can usually find him in the fields moving steers or mending fences.

Katelyn is Joe's wife and a Wisconsin girl who is happy to have made her way back home. She is a gardening, baking, fermenting farmwife and homeschooling mother of five. Her path to farming came about through her love of cooking and feeding her family the healthiest, real food available.

Chris is Joe's Dad and a retired engineer. He brings his 50 years of business and analytical experience to the farm, his is the face you will see when receiving a delivery or pick-up.

Myriam is Joe's Mom and our office manager. She is also an animal-loving vet tech and the St. B's resident artist. Myriam keeps the store running smoothly and beautifies the farm store with her paintings.

Ben is Joe's youngest brother. His experience in food service and retail makes him the perfect fit to help customers at our farm store and on deliveries. Ben is an outstanding wrangler of nephews and he loves a good joke, so bring your best/worst puns!

We are all so happy to be a part of St. Brigid's Meadows! Please stop by anytime to meet us and say hello! We look forward to serving you.
Joe, Katelyn, with kids James, Will, Cecilia, Edward, Elias, and parents Chris, Myriam, and uncle Ben Doylend