FORT ATKINSON — Janesville-based Blain’s Farm & Fleet accepted a statewide business achievement award at a ceremony Monday in Fort Atkinson. In a twist, the $75,000 cash award that comes with the annually-bestowed honor must be passed on to a charitable organization.
Blain’s Farm & Fleet chose this year’s charitable recipient to be SMILES (Special Methods in Learning Equine Skills) a Darien-based equine therapy nonprofit.
The 10th annual Wisconsin Business Achievement Award ceremony and luncheon at The Fireside was attended by past recipients, members of the family whose foundation annually funds it and those who have a hand in choosing awardees, including former Gov. Tommy Thompson, who has sat on the final selection panel.
Past business winners have included Jones Dairy Farm in 2023 and The Fireside Theatre in 2017, both located in Fort Atkinson.
Thompson was among several speakers who offered remarks Monday on this year’s business and charitable recipients and who also reminisced about their longtime friendship with Rockne Flowers, who along with his wife, JoAnne, created the Flowers Family Foundation in 2006, a few years after the sale of their business, Stoughton-based Nelson Industries, in 1998.
Thompson remembered Rockne Flowers as “my good friend, a wonderful entrepreneur, great family man and a patriot.”
Rockne and JoAnne Flowers’ son, George Flowers, announced Blain’s Farm & Fleet as this year’s business recipient, calling the Janesville company whose first store opened in 1955, “a great Wisconsin company.”
In addition to its business success, with stores in four states, Blain’s Farm & Fleet “is known for giving back to its communities, and the state of Wisconsin,” Flowers said, naming 4-H, FFA and the Bert Blain Memorial Heart Walk held each year in Janesville, as some of its charitable endeavors.
Nicole Gilbertson, accepting the award Monday on behalf of Blain’s Farm & Fleet with her sister, Sarah Gilbertson, shared “how honored our family and our company is to be here with you all today,” and expressed their condolences to Rockne Flowers’ family on his passing.
“We’re thankful to everyone for continuing his legacy of recognizing Wisconsin companies and encouraging charitable giving,” Nicole Gilbertson said. “We’re really, really proud to be here today.”
SMILES Executive Director Troy Moldenhauer, who was named to his current post a year ago after 16 years as a volunteer with the organization, called the award an “amazing recognition.”
Thompson also recognized The Fireside Theater as Monday’s venue, calling it “one of those outstanding companies, and attractions and theaters, and a place to come and have a good time. They make Wisconsin something special.”
“And Jones Dairy Farm, what a company you guys have built. It has been fantastic for Fort Atkinson and for the state of Wisconsin. I salute you, last year’s award winner,” Thompson continued.
Other speakers Monday included retired Janesville Atty. Jim Thorpe and Art Nesbitt, past president and CEO of Nasco, in Fort Atkinson, and past board chairman of Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce.
Rockne Flowers, who passed away in May, began his career as a CPA in Madison and later became president of Nelson Muffler Corp. in Stoughton. Nelson Muffler Corp. became Nelson Industries in 1974 and was sold to Cummins Engine Company in 1998.
Rockne and JoAnne Flower raised 5 children and were married for 71 years. Family members were present at Monday’s ceremony.
In 2024, the foundation began bestowing an annual award to a Wisconsin business that had demonstrated both success and a commitment to its community. Recipients receive a $50,000 award — that they must turn around and grant to a local charitable organization. The award amount was later increased to $75,000.
“SMILES transcends traditional therapeutic methods by offering individuals with special needs, of all ages, the joy of participating in an equine assisted program, which provides social, emotional, physical, and personal reward,” a description of the organization’s mission reads, as shared at Monday’s ceremony.
Per tradition, the previous year’s recipient hosts each year’s ceremony. Jones Dairy Farm worked with the Fireside to have the 2024 ceremony and luncheon held in the theater’s dining room.
Past award recipients and their chosen charities have included:
2014: Kapco Metal Stamping/Camp Hometown Heroes2015: OEM Fabricators, Inc./United Way of St. Croix Valley2016: L.B. White Company/Couleecap and Coulee Region Business Center2017: The Fireside Theater/Badgerland Afterschool Enrichment (BASE) and Fort Atkinson Fire Department2018: Kwik Trip/Families Helping Families2019: Stoughton Trailers/Stoughton Football2021: Sargento Foods/Big Brothers Big Sisters Wisconsin Shoreline2021: Fox Converting, Inc./Foster the Village2022: Boldt Company/American Red Cross Wisconsin2023: Jones Dairy Farm/Feed Your Soul2023: Peragon/The Restored House2024: Blain’s Farm & Fleet/SMILES, Inc.
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