Women in Dairy: Rachel Klinkner

Rachel Klinkner
Cashton, Wisconsin
Monroe County
65 cows

Family: Gerald and Ann Klinkner family

Tell us about your farm. Our organic dairy farm, Breezy Acres Dairy, is a sixth-generation dairy farm in rural Cashton, Wisconsin, which has been proudly owned and operated by family for more than 160 years. Our family farm started in 1863 with horse-drawn implements and the hand-milking of cows. The farm has progressed through various stages of mechanical horsepower and the sciences of animal genetics, nutrition, health, quality cow care and modern crop production practices. In 1993, we added a heifer barn and silo; in 1996 a feed room; and in 1998 an earthen manure pit and rubber mattresses for the cows. In 2000, we transitioned to an organic dairy; in 2002, we added a new silo; in 2003, we added an addition to the house; and in 2008, a new shed and shop were built. Then, in 2012, we put an addition on the heifer barn; in 2016, we installed a new 60-stall freestall barn; and in 2017, we converted our barn into a swing parlor. Today, we milk roughly 65 cows with a rolling herd average of more than 21,000 pounds of milk. We produce and ship more than 1 million pounds of milk to Westby Cooperative Creamery. The cows are milked twice daily in that same barn built back in 1903. We grow corn, alfalfa and small grains on over 300 acres of land as feed for the cows. I also have an aunt and uncle who own a farm nearby. Together, we help each other with planting and harvesting and the sharing of equipment and knowledge. It’s a very unique opportunity that we have been blessed with and allows us to remain close with our loved ones. We especially enjoy visitors to Breezy Acres. In 2014, we were happy to host the annual Monroe County Dairy Breakfast, which was also our 150th year family farm celebration. We had more than 3,000 people in attendance. It’s a good thing dairy farming teaches you how to plan, organize, manage time and details and to feed a herd.

What is a typical day like for you on the dairy? Because I am in college, I am not on the farm much. But, when I do come home, I help my family milk cows. I also help with feeding calves and monitoring cows who are about to calve. When there is enough help in the barn, I play with my nieces and nephews in the barn’s breezeway. They love to help with little chores and know a lot of the cow’s names, which is fun for me to see them grow up in the barn.

What decision have you made in the last year that has benefited your farm? In the last year, my parents and my brother’s family have decided to switch houses to allow my brother and his wife and kids to live on the home farm. Currently, my brother and his family live right next to us in a house on a farm we use for crops, so it won’t be a far move. However, this transition will be a big but important change to the operation of the farm. My brother and his wife will start to take more ownership of the farm, so it will be more efficient for them to be where the animals and machinery are. We plan to make the switch this summer if plans stick to schedule.

Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. Starting when I was very young, I helped name our cows. With less than 80 cows, naming them is easier to do and helps us identify them. When we name freshened heifers, we pick a name that starts with the first letter of their mother’s name, which allows us to keep track of lineage and pedigree. Of course, when I was younger, I would name cows Cookie, Chips and Cinderella, for example. As I got older, I stared using real names, but occasionally, we will name a cow like Motor, whose mother was Harley and sister was Davidson. Being a part of the naming process allowed me to memorize all of the cows and be the family cow identifier. In addition to names, I also memorized ear tag numbers and cow families. This is something I find fun.

What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? I have enjoyed educating people about the dairy industry. Throughout middle and high school, I was a part of FFA. With my connections and experiences with FFA, I have had opportunities to teach others about agriculture and my farm’s story. Now, I am at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where I am able to reach many people who are not familiar with dairy farming. Educating people about where their food comes from brings me joy. In addition, I am a communications major, and for my class projects, I always choose an agricultural topic because it’s a chance for me to learn more and educate others. I am blessed to have grown up on a dairy farm. I have developed a strong work ethic, time management skills and responsibility, which some people aren’t exposed or pushed to learn.

What is your biggest accomplishment in your dairy career? I started showing dairy cattle at the Monroe County Fair when I was about 9 years old and showed until my senior year of high school. I learned how to clip cattle from my dad and other cattle showers and leaders in the county. I was also a member of the Monroe Country All Breeds Junior Dairy Club where we went on educational farm tours, held dairy workshops, club activities and held a silent auction dairy basket sale at the Monroe County Fair. I was fortunate enough to place well in showmanship many years and was a part of the dairy basket program. Through showing, I gained numerous skills not just about the dairy industry but in general too.

What are things you do to promote your farm or the dairy industry? Besides educating about my experiences and knowledge of the dairy industry, I am also active through social media where I promote the dairy industry. I love cows, so I am always taking pictures of our family’s cows. I tend to post pictures of them on my social media accounts. In addition, I share news articles, blogs and interviews that handled dairy topics. As a patron and follower of Westby Cooperative Creamery on social media, I enjoy sharing content the creamery posts as it tends to be educational, promotional and engaging. Posting behind-the-scenes content of our farm operations is a great way to promote the dairy industry as well as following dairy-related businesses and organizations.

What advice would you give another woman in the dairy industry? I recommend getting involved in organizations and sharing dairy-related content on social media. Getting your foot in the door is a gateway to making an impact on the dairy industry, even if it’s small. If you want to start your own dairy operation, go for it. There are plenty of resources, organizations and people to support you along the way. As society is becoming increasingly engaged on social media, that is a great place to start promoting and educating. Follow fellow agriculturalists, whether they are women or men. Finding people who are as passionate as you is a great start. I follow accounts such as the New York Farm Girls, FarmHer, Dairy Girl Network, FFA and others. There are numerous people who are passionate about advocating for agriculture.   

When you get a spare moment, what do you do? When spare time comes around, I enjoy hunting, hiking, ATV riding, snowmobiling, going to concerts, crafting, watching movies, baking, finding new coffee shops, and spending time with family and friends.