Saxon Homestead Farm

(l-r) Jerry Heimerl, daughter Sophia, son Joe and wife Becky (recently started dairying in NW Wis.); Margret Klessig (4th generation at Saxon) and Paula (Jerry/Elise's daughter). Right of sign: Liz and Karl Klessig; in front are children Max and Valerie. Right of tree: Kathy (holding son Peter) and Robert Klessig; in front row are their daughters Emma and Caroline. Missing from the photo are Elise, Margret and Heidi Heimerl, and Jordan Klessig (Karl/Liz's son).

"Hear that?" asks Robert Klessig. "That is the beautiful song of the Bobolink bird."

A distinctive bird of open grasslands, the Bobolink is the only American bird that is black underneath and white on its back. With pastures full at the Klessig's farm (Saxon Homestead Dairy), you'd never know that these songbirds are dwindling in numbers due to loss of habitat in the Americas.

"Boblinks like open grassy fields with little to no disturbance. We don't use any harvesting equipment out here so they like these surroundings. I like these surroundings, too. This is my office," adds Robert, as he smiles and opens his arms to the green grasses around him.

Shortly after the first Klessigs arrived in Wisconsin in 1848 from Saxony, Germany, they started farming and producing milk. Soon, their cows produced more milk than the family needed, so they began making cheese to preserve and share their bounty.

Now, fifth-generation farmers Karl and Liz Klessig, Robert and Kathleen Block-Klessig, and Jerry and Elise Klessig-Heimerl and their families own and operate picturesque Saxon Homestead Farm, a pasture-based dairy and home of award-winning Saxon Classic Cheeses. 

“We take great pride in being Wisconsin dairy farmers. We cherish working with our cows and the land, and then producing quality milk and cheese.”
~Karl Klessig

Environmental Stewardship

At Saxon Homestead Farm, the Klessigs use about 850 acres (one acre = approximately a football field) of harvest grass to rotationally graze their 500 cows each summer. They believe that rotational grazing is an environmentally responsible form of food production. "Grazing helps control ground water, erosion and water and soil runoff," says Robert. "We strive for vibrant pastures, healthy soil and clean water."

The farm incorporates nutrient management plans that document strategies and practices related to their strong conservation ethic and fierce commitment to environmental well-being.

Robert Klessig and his daughter, Emma, bring the cows in for milking. The Klessigs have about 500 "crossbred" cows, made up of mostly Holstein and Jersey breeds.

Cow well-being is also a top priority at Saxon. The Klessig and Heimerl families breed all cows to calve during the spring months. "Calving is an incredible process here," says Karl Klessig. "More than half of the cows freshen out on pasture, delivering mostly by themselves in a calm setting. Their calves grow and develop in the warm summer months. We believe we're emulating a natural system here on our farm."

Karl adds that about 125 cows freshen each month from March until late May. "It's pretty intense but also pretty amazing. Everyone jumps in to help and secure a successful calving season, including our children. They love to help. That's one of the many beauties of farming. Children are encouraged to work side by side with their parents. Generational farming is a strength here—and of the Wisconsin dairy industry!"

Learn about Saxon Homestead Farm's participation in the UW-Extension Discovery Farms program.