Contributed to the Wisconsin State Farmer by Gloria Hafemeister, Correspondent

Beaver Dam — “We’re a tree planting business that happens to build caskets,” said Jonas Zahn, who, with his wife Julie, owns Northwoods Casket Company.

Jonas Zahn pictured with a 100% metal free pine casket--one of more than 75 different styles the company crafts here in Wisconsin.

Jonas grew up on a dairy farm and had a 20-year career in the corporate world, but he and Julie started this business as a way to satisfy his desire to provide something that will benefit generations to come.

“We need to make a profit in this business in order to survive, but making money is not our goal,” he said. “Our goal is to plant 10 million trees for the next generation and the generation after that. We’re financing that goal with profits from our casket business.”