Holy Cow: Author to Donate Profits from Farm Event

Among cow manure, pig pens and chicken coops, author Mary Anne will be spreading word about how to "Rise Above the Sh**!" to attendees of on Saturday.

Mary Anne — the author's pen name — will be selling and signing copies of her book, commonly referred to as "Rise Above," and focusing on "down-to-earth thinking from Wisconsin," during the event. Part of the profits will go toward Balance Inc., a nonprofit special needs service provider in Ozaukee County.

Mary Anne grew up on a farm in Dane, and said that background gave her the know-how to write "Rise Above."

"I credit just the way I was brought up ... the hardworking, value-based character that was instilled in me growing up," she said. The book focuses on "fifty-some" topics of things that hold you back in life and how to quickly overcome them.

Breakfast on the Farm runs from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Melichar Broad Acres farm, 3990 Willow Ln., Port Washington. 

Organizer Jean Opitz said the farm, especially compared to some, is pretty easy to find — but the event's 8-foot signs make it even easier for attendees to spot.

The event is expected to draw 4,000 people, so Opitz said to arrive early if you want to avoid waiting.

"Theres nothing you can do with 4,000 people but have somewhat of a line," she said, adding that long lines tend to form within an hour of the event's starting time.

New this year is an ice cream eating contest that kicks off at 10 a.m., Opitz said. Interested people can sign up at the ticket line as they enter the event.

Other highlights of the event include a kids zone, with agricultural related games and prizes as well as a tent with about 70 animals, Opitz said, not to mention the all-you-can-eat pancakes, and eggs with ham and cheese, "that make (the eggs) awesome."

Throughout the course of the day, Opitz said organizers will go through about 950 pounds of cheese. There will also be wagon rides and informative tents featuring agriculture, farming and land conservation.

Mary Anne normally splits profits of her book in three parts — some for her own profit, some to the retailer or event organizer and the rest to a charitable cause selected by the retailer or event organizer.

Opitz said the committee behind Breakfast on the Farm tries to keep as much money in the county as possible, which is why they chose Balance Inc. to receive the donation — but the group also went above and beyond by deciding not to keep their portion of the profit but instead donate it with the author's initial charitable contribution to Balance Inc.

"It was just another avenue that we decided to take ... towards something that will stay in the community," she said.

Balance Inc. will earn $5 per book sold, and $10 per book on CD sold, Mary Anne said. The CD includes a bonus track that explains how Mary Anne developed the concepts of the book, which she said often came to her while she slept.

Interested readers can find out where to purchase the book, or order it to be shipped, from Mary Anne's website; she said she hopes residents will soon find the book on shelves at local stores in the Port Washington and Saukville area.