Ready or not

COON VALLEY, Wis. — In October 2025, Cody and Arlisa Clements had the opportunity to  put their names on the Westby Co-op Creamery sign that hangs at Clements Custom Ag LLC. That moment brought to fruition something that Cody had been working toward his entire life. He finally had the chance to tell the world he was an owner and operator of the farm he grew up on.

In a way, though, the moment was bittersweet. While he and his father, Alan, had talked about transitioning ownership for years, a cancer diagnosis expedited the process.

“I was devastated when we found out Dad was diagnosed with cancer,” Cody said. “He was approaching 63, starting to step down to let me take the reins the last few years. We were in talks about how to transfer the farm, but then last year, all of a sudden, we had to do something.” 

Cody is the oldest of Alan and Mary Lee Clements’ three children and the one who has demonstrated the most interest in leading the farm into the future. That led to an expansion and parlor installation in 2018.

“I was interested in farming by the time I could walk,” Cody said. “I was always out helping my dad…I’ve always had a passion for farming.”

After the cancer diagnosis in January 2025, Cody and his wife, Arlisa, began the process of buying the farm from Cody’s parents.

“In 2015 we formed Clements Custom Ag LLC,” Cody said. “We were in partnership until this August, when I bought the rest of my dad’s shares out. We didn’t have as much time as we thought to get everything in order. We wanted to make sure we did right by my dad and find something that would be good for both my family and my mom and dad.”

The Clements farm was first purchased by Cody’s grandfather in 1952, and Cody’s father succeeded him in 1989. The milking was done in a barn a few feet south of the current dairy barn that was converted in 2017. The former pole shed now houses the single-8 parlor, with an attached freestall barn.

In 2015, Cody and Alan joined forces officially, creating the LLC and bringing Cody back to the dairy side. The younger Clements had also spent time building his custom cropping business and had a full-time position hauling milk.

“I’ve always been a big lover of crops,” Cody said. “You go out and put your work in tilling the ground and planting it and watching it the whole summer. You can see what works, what doesn’t, and I like trying new trials. At the end of the year, you can sit in your combine seat and see the results that paid off, or what we’ll try again. I’ve always enjoyed it.”

His passion for crops pairs well with Arlisa, who  grew up in nearby Vernon County on her family’s dairy farm. She showed cows at the Vernon County Fair and continues that tradition with her children.

“My wife is the cow person at heart,” Cody said. “She handles a lot of the milking. I do all the field work and quite a bit of custom work. Everybody has their role to play. We’re kind of a match made in heaven with what makes us happy.”

Every summer, the couple, along with their oldest son, Mason, take their cattle to the La Crosse County Fair. Last year, Mason showed a Jersey that earned a grand champion banner for the family.

“When that happened, it made her (Arlisa) feel good,” Cody said. “You know that’s your cow.
It’s your name on her and it makes you feel good when you accomplish something like that. After that, people came through (the barn) telling her that she had a nice-looking cow, or that it was one of the nicest cows they’ve seen in a long time. It makes you feel appreciated.”

All the cows at Clements Custom Ag are homebred, which made the distinction even more special. 

  After the expansion in 2017, Clements Custom Ag LLC added on again last summer. 

“In September, we added on 36 more stalls,” Cody said. “Our barn now holds 96. My intentions are to milk around 100, so we’re adding on the other side of the parlor too. If my kids are interested in the farm in the future, we have space to add on the other side too.”

Cody and Arlisa recognize that raising their children on the farm can help teach life lessons and create lasting memories.

“I remember getting off the bus and running in to change clothes and running out to find the field my grandpa was chopping in,” Cody said. “My grandparents are all gone, but those are some of my best memories. When my kids are excited to jump in a tractor and ride along with me, it brings those memories back.”

The anticipation of seeing his family’s names on the sign in front of the farm also comes with a sense of responsibility and faith.

“Transitioning ownership was something we planned for,” Cody said. “It’s been exciting, but it’s also been scary. You’re taking on the role and you have to have faith in God that he can pull us through.  It’ll work out best for Mom and Dad, me and my wife, and the kids.”

Alan Clements underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments throughout 2025 and will meet with doctors later in January to reassess his recovery progress.

In the meantime, Cody does not take for granted seeing his name and his wife’s name on the farm sign.

“It’s really cool to see our names up there next to each other,” Cody said. “It always said Alan Clements Dairy, or Alan and Mary Lee, but that’s my mom and dad. Now, you know you worked your butt off, and it’s your name on the sign. It’s a big achievement for my wife too.  She’s put a lot of hard work in on this farm and now to have her name next to mine, it makes her feel good.”