Town of Clearfield’s Citizens of the Year for 2024

Aaron and Janine Bigalke built their house in the Town of Clearfield in 2007 just down the road from the farm that Aaron grew up on. Since building their home they have acquired additional property in the Town of Clearfield and continue to shape the landscape. Aaron and Janine own and run Bigalke Outdoor Enterprises, a Sustainable Land Management Company focusing on teaching people sustainable methods to improve their land, gardens, and food plots for wildlife. Janine also works full time at Walmart distribution center in Tomah where she has been an employee for 23 years.             

Aaron and Janine enjoy outdoor activities and working with the area youth. They have been on many hunting and fishing adventures all over North America including Canada, Wyoming, Colorado, Minnesota, Kansas, and of course Wisconsin. They are also officers in the local KAMO (Kids and Mentors Outdoors) chapter that focuses on giving kids the opportunity to experience outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, hiking, and hunting. 

Janine is an avid gardener and spends as much time as she can in her gardens. She participates in the Local LFPA (Local Food Purchase Assistance) program that provides fresh produce to disadvantaged members of the community. Janine also enjoys processing much of the fruits of her labor through canning and freeze-drying. 

Aaron is a high school coach at New Lisbon High School. Currently, he is the head coach of the Track and Field and Cross Country teams and has also previously coached the Football Team. When not working or coaching Aaron can be found on his land or a client’s land working to enhance the properties through native grasses and pollinators, food plots, and timber stand management to create wildlife-centered wonderlands.