Our Story

Family Farmed Since 1850

In 1848, our ancestors from Saxony, Germany, sailed across the ocean in search of land and opportunity. Their formidable journey brought them to the rich lakeshore soils of Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. On these fertile soils began the family legacy of dairy farming. Cattle grazing on lush spring, summer and autumn grasses produced more milk than our ancestors needed. By 1870, they were making cheese to preserve and share their milk.

Saxon Homestead Farm welcome sign

Today Saxon Homestead Farm is a fifth-generation family partnership owned and operated by Robert Klessig and Kathleen Block-Klessig, Karl and Liz Klessig, our families, and our hardworking employees.

Our family in the pasture.

Pride and tradition run deep as we care for our land, family, and cattle.

Our farm is dedicated to raising high-quality grass-fed finished beef steers and creating high-quality milk from an efficient and profitable production system based upon our dairy herd and rotational grazing. Our cows are not treated with the bovine growth hormone rBST. We also supply milk to Saxon Creamery, makers of a family of award-winning cheeses.

View of Saxon Homestead Farm

We invite you to explore our website and learn more about the place our family has called home for more than 160 years.

We’re confident that after you’ve taken a peek around, you’ll understand why we feel like we’re on vacation every day.

–The Klessig Family