About Westby

Board of Directors

Since the founding of Westby Cooperative Creamery in 1903, the business has been farmer-owned and led by local dairy farm families. We are still guided by shared philosophies and proven business practices led by a seven-member Board of Directors – elected by, and from among, our farmer-owners. The Westby Cooperative Creamery Board of Directors includes: Ben Klinkner, Jerad Fleming, Gerald Vesbach, Andy Olson, Seth Byom, Nathan Brandt and Jon Levendoski.

Today, our farmer-owners consist of about 200 farm families, many now as fourth and fifth generations. Our dairy farm families produce and deliver fresh milk daily to our creamery, where we take great pride in making the highest quality and most wholesome tasting dairy products for you and your family.

To contact a member of our board of directors, please call our business office at 608-634-3181; or, write:

Westby Cooperative Creamery
615 N. Main Street
Westby, WI 54667

Seth Byom
Board Member

I’m Seth Byom, and I have been farming my whole life. In 2018, I had the opportunity to purchase my aunt Judy and uncle Dan’s dairy farm just up the hill from my father’s in Galesville, Wis. It has been in the family for roughly 129 years, and I’m honored to carry on the family legacy. The farm sits on 156 acres with 40 organic cows. I farm with my fiancé, Julia, and our trusty, four-legged farm hand - Rooster the Australian Shepherd. During my time on the board, I will work to ensure the future of the Creamery and help keep all our farms profitable.

Nathan Brandt
Board Member

I’m Nathan Brandt, a 5th generation farmer on our family’s 85-cow organic dairy farm near Fountain City, WI. My wife, Jenny, and I farm about 350 acres consisting of hay, corn, sorghum-sudan, small grains and pasture. We have four children, Beau, Riley, Adalynn, and Freya, who love to help on the farm where they can. Sustainability is important both to the future of our farm as well as the Creamery, and I look forward to working on the board to continue to advance the Creamery towards a more sustainable future.

Ben Klinkner
Board Member

I'm Ben Klinkner, a 6th generation farmer on our family’s Organic dairy farm outside Cashton, WI. My wife, Erin, and I have four children, Jack, Anna, Noah and Abe. Our dairy herd consists of 60 milk cows, 60 heifers and calves; we also farm about 300 acres of hay, corn and pasture. I'm honored to have served as a Westby Creamery director since 2018. I’ve enjoyed working with loyal and passionate small farm patrons, and the many dedicated and hardworking creamery management staff and employees. It's very rewarding to see first-hand the success that each moving part contributes to producing high-quality, award winning dairy products.

Jon Levendoski
Board Member

I'm Jon Levendoski, a 5th generation farmer on a 50-cow dairy farm I operate with my parents near Genoa, WI. My wife, Jackie, teaches third grade at Blessed Sacrament School in La Crosse, WI, we have three kids who love helping on the farm. Our family's owned the farm since 1876, and has shipped milk to Westby Cooperative Creamery since 1969. As a farmer, it's important to maintain a sustainable environment and produce quality milk. As such, we rotationally graze our cattle as much as possible. In 2005, we began crossbreeding cows to try and create animals that would be healthier, produce higher components, and better utilize pasture.

Jerad Fleming
Board Member

I'm Jared Fleming and I farm with my family near Westby, WI. My wife Stacey teaches preschool in Westby and we have four children, Hallie, Jackson, Bennett and Brielle. Our family milks 100 organic cows, farms around 600 acres, and we enjoy hunting, fishing, and UTV rides in our spare time. I’m also an assistant football coach at Westby High School and serve on an advisory board for Compeer Financial. I've really enjoyed my time on the board and love hearing everyone's perspectives on agriculture and how best to deal with its challenges.

Gerald Vesbach
Board Member

I'm Gerald Vesbach, a 4th generation farmer that runs a dairy farm with my son Trent and my wife Connie in Liberty Pole, WI. We milk 70 cows, Jerseys and Brown Swiss, farm 650 acres, and run an 80-head beef herd. Three of our farms are certified organic, though our milk is conventional. I love being outdoors, around cattle, and being in agriculture. In my free time, I like antique tractors, especially Minneapolis Moline and Olivers, and going to antique shows. I thought I could bring some new ideas to the Board of Directors and share the knowledge I’ve accumulated over my 45 years of farming while promoting Westby Creamery.

Andy Olson
Board Member

I’m Andy Olson, I own and operate Prime Pastures Organic Dairy near Lewiston, MN., along with my wife, Kim, and her parents, Dale and Carmene Pangrac. Kim and I have three children - Mallory, Gavin and Amelia. We use robotic technology to milk 150 crossbred cows, and we rotationally graze all our animals from two-months old through milking age. We also raise organic crops on 900 acres and feed it to our herd and sell it as organic grain. I am proud to be serving on the Board of Directors, and I look forward to the continued growth of Westby Cooperative Creamery and supporting our farmers.

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