Westby Farmer Named to National Board

Dec 21, 2022 (Westby, WI)

Gail G. Klinkner, a Liberty Pole, Wis., dairy farmer, is newly appointed to serve on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB). Klinkner will serve alongside 35 additional dairy farmer members representing 12 geographic regions within the U.S. and one importer representing dairy importers.

Klinkner owns and operates Pine Prairie Jerseys and Klinkner Holsteins with her husband, Rob, and is currently Vice Chair of the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW) board of directors, comprised of 25 dairy farmers elected by their peers for three-year terms.

“Gail’s passion and dedication to Wisconsin’s dairy industry is exceptional,” says Chad Vincent, CEO, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. “I am confident Gail will expertly represent Wisconsin dairy farmers at the national level.”

Additionally, Klinkner works as FARM Program Director for Westby Cooperative Creamery and recently opened Klinkner Kountry Store selling farm-raised meats and eggs along with Westby Cooperative Creamery dairy products and locally grown fresh produce and salads, and country decor.

Along with Klinkner, the USDA announced the appointment of 13 members to serve on the NDB. Twelve of the 13 appointees will serve three-year terms, effective immediately, through Oct. 31, 2025. The remaining appointee will serve the remaining two years of a vacant position, effective immediately and expiring October 31, 2024.

The board was established by the Dairy Production Stabilization Act of 1983 to develop and administer a coordinated program of advertising and promotion to increase the demand for dairy products and ingredients. Ninety percent of Wisconsin’s milk is made into cheese, and 90 percent of that product is sold outside the state. DFW works with retailers to build online shopping programs to encourage consumers to purchase Wisconsin dairy products. The programs averaged a 25 percent to 50 percent lift in sales year over year.

Reprinted with permission from the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.