Travis Klinkner's roots in the dairy industry run deep. As a 6th generation farmer, Travis is intimately familiar with the industry's intricacies. "I always call my cows' athletes," says Travis, "Just like you prepare and train for the Olympics, we set them up for optimal performance: from nutrition and mineral balances to the newest technologies and equipment." Travis and his wife took the leap to purchase their own farm nearly a decade ago – a centennial farm owned for over four generations by his wife's parents. This family-run operation now serves as a haven for approximately 60 milking cows and 70 young stock nestled in the rolling hills of Wisconsin.
Photography of the Klinkner Dairy provided by Travis Klinkner
As an organic dairy producer, Travis's commitment to and affection for farming are evident in his emphasis on preventative care and maintenance. His voice gains fervor when discussing the resurrection of soil health on his land—a journey that involved expanding pastures, instituting rotational grazing and crop rotations, and planting riparian buffers and pollinator-friendly plants commonly known as prairie strips. However, like many farmers across the United States, Travis grapples with the sense of unease stemming from consumer distrust. "We have already implemented a lot of changes to the way we farm. The changes don't happen overnight, but we are farming a lot differently than we used to," he articulates. He also speaks to the disconnect between producers and consumers, and how that fosters an unsettling lack of transparency and, by extension, trust. "We are farmers; we know what's going on in the land, in the soil, with our animals… don't they (consumers) trust us?"
Photography of the Klinkner Dairy provided by Travis Klinkner
So, when Neutral knocked on doors in his community, Travis met the approach head-on. He was driven by a protective instinct for his neighbors and only agreed to speak with Neutral to make sure his neighbors weren't signing up for something that would get them in trouble. "I was a skeptic. I was leery," Travis admits, "and I was scared for my neighbors." However, as the conversation with Neutral continued, Travis's apprehensions gradually gave way. The turning point arrived when he realized that Neutral's intent was not to dictate change but to offer a helping hand, asking how they could help support the initiatives he was already implementing to enhance his farm's sustainability, reduce GHG emissions, and bolster soil and water health. "It's a neat symbiotic relationship," Travis says," [Neutral] doesn't force a mandate on us, but tries to find things that fit with my management style and farm."
Photography of the Klinkner Dairy provided by Travis Klinkner
The result? A proactive partnership and investment from Neutral. While Travis had already integrated many of the recommended sustainability practices through his local watershed conservation work, Neutral intervened to alleviate the costs associated with Agolin, an essential oil with benefits that extend beyond improving animal health—it also slashes GHG emissions by 6-10% when fed to lactating cows. Travis's sights are now set on a new project: installing solar power to heat water, thereby reducing reliance on propane or electricity. "I think we need to recognize as a whole that while the dairy industry isn't at the root of the problem, we have opportunities to change and we can work with people who recognize our value," he asserts.
Photography of the Klinkner Dairy provided by Travis Klinkner
For Travis, this kind of transformation lies at the heart of the farmer's spirit. "We're always paying attention to see what the others are doing. Looking over the fence to see if our neighbor's corn is doing better. While we farmers are stubborn, because it takes a stubborn person to wake up early every morning to tend to the animals, we are not afraid to change if it's going to be better for us," Travis affirms. To his fellow farmers, Travis extends an encouraging invitation: "There are benefits to this partnership and more people should jump onboard". And to consumers, Travis's farm beckons with open arms: "Come on down to the farm. We'd be happy to educate all of you."
Photography of the Klinkner Dairy provided by Travis Klinkner
Want to learn more about Klinkner Dairy? You can find out where Travis’ milk goes (and where Neutral sources) by visiting:
Interested in learning more about the local watershed groups? Find out more here and here!
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31 w
What are the odds, huh? Pretty amazing
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33 w
Amazing! Reaching out to the people with problems and working together to solve it is really awesome.
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36 w
So glad to read about this trust between Neutral and the Wisconsin farmer Travis Klinkner. I meet a lot of farmers in my daily rural life and many of them have the same distrust towards the “city based climate people” so I will definitely share this story in my network. A big thanks to Travis and Neutral for sharing this article!
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34 w
@Johannes_Luiga it's inspiring
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36 w
Great story!
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36 w
Wow! Great article, very flowing and motivating. I have been brought up by a peasant farmer and I can relate that someone must wake up early every morning to tend to the animals,etc. I still love the way you name your cows "Athletes" and the expectation behind the name. Partnership is key too and it's inspiring to note you are welcoming them with open arms.
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36 w
Very inspiring! We need more farmers like Travis Klinkner
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36 w
interesting
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36 w
Very inspitational. Thanks for this interview and perspective. Agriculture is often discussed in the climate space but the farmer itself is rarely in that dialogue.