Trish Zdroik, proprietor of TAZ Family Farms, 10144 State Road 66, Rosholt, has been named Wisconsin�s Emerging Small Business Person of the Year by the Small Business Association. She will be honored on June 7 at a breakfast in Milwaukee.

Zdroik was nominated by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Extension�s Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

SBDC Director Vicki Lobermeier describes Zdroik as "a savvy entrepreneur with a heart of gold."

"Trish and her husband, Tom, have created a multifaceted agriculture business prompted by a deep rooted belief in the values of family farming and an unwavering desire to produce chemical-free crops and beef that is hormone and antibiotic free," Lobermeier says.

Spurred on by their son Abe�s heart condition and Trish�s early signs of multiple sclerosis, the Zdroiks are committed to producing food that will help achieve optimum health and quality of life for all families. They have spent countless hours researching the health benefits of low-fat beef rich in Omega-3 as well as using flaxseed as feed.

In addition to beef cattle, TAZ Family Farms houses goats, geese, chickens, and turkeys. It has a large organic garden, plus acres of strawberries and Omega flaxseed.

The farm provides a multitude of educational activities open to area families such as the Annual Harvest Nutrition Days, Easter Egg Hunt, horse-drawn Christmas caroling and tree cutting.

Zdroik has written several children�s books about sustainable agriculture. Her latest story, "Sunshine in My Tummy," focuses on how to take care of the earth�s resources.

In addition, she is involved with the March of Dimes and the Portage County Hunger Project.

Lobermeier describes Zdroik as "creative, tireless, business savvy and a leader in her family and community."

A native of North Dakota, Zdroik grew up in Central Wisconsin and graduated from Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids. In 1989 she graduated from UWSP as an Albertson Medallion recipient with high honors in psychology, business and communication. She also has done graduate work at UWSP.

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