Karl Klessig

BOARD MEMBER

Representing the Chautauqua Barn Dance

Karl is a fifth-generation dairy farmer at Saxon Homestead Farm LLC, a family partnership operated by Karl and his wife Liz, Robert and Kathleen Klessig, and their families. Saxon Homestead has combined rotational grazing, dairy cattle, dairy steers, and spring seasonal calving to form the foundation of their farming operation, centered on family, heritage, history, grazing, working lands, and environment. They also co-own Saxon Creamery, a small artisan cheese factory that produces a family of aged European Continental cheeses. Karl currently participates in the Sheboygan Area School District Nutrition Committee, Wisconsin Agricultural Education Center Board, and Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin’s Public Policy Sub-Committee. Past organizational involvement includes UW Discovery Farm, Council of Rural Initiatives Board, Glacial Lakes Conservancy, Dairy Business Association’s Green Tier Charter Sub-Committee, and the Manitowoc County Ag and Environmental Task Force. His education includes the Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program, along with an MS in Ruminant Nutrition and BS in Dairy Science, UW-Madison. Karl received a University of Wisconsin Ag & Life Science Honorary Recognition award in 2012, was recognized as a Distinguished Agricultural Leader, Manitowoc County UW-Agriculture Alumni Association in 2005, and as a River Champion from the River Alliance of Wisconsin in 2004.