Women in Dairy: Kalista Giese

Kalista Giese 
Eden, Wisconsin
Fond du Lac County
1,150 cows

Tell us about your family and farm. I, along with sisters Kayli, Kaianne and Kaydence, represent the fifth generation of Hodorffs farming at our current location. My great-great-grandfather started farming in 1911 with five cows, and each generation has developed the farm to become what it is today. Second Look Holsteins is currently owned by my parents, Corey and Tammy Hodorff; my uncle, Clint Hodorff; and my grandfather, Doug Hodorff. We currently milk 1,150 cows and raise crops on 1,500 acres. We focus on producing high-quality milk while caring for the animals, land and environment. Last fall, I married Paul Giese, who has become more involved on the farm. Adding some of his cows has diversified the herd from primarily registered Holsteins to include a variety of breeds.

What is a typical day like for you on the dairy? While each day brings different opportunities, my average day includes managing employees and the milking parlor, administering vaccines or reproductive shots, treating recently fresh cows, troubleshooting, problem solving and cleaning.

What decision have you made in the last year that has benefited your farm? I strive to continually improve employee relations on our dairy through monthly and annual training meetings, celebrating birthdays and work anniversaries and increasing communication with team members. This generates a quality team environment around the farm by increasing overall communication between the management and employee teams. Utilizing a variety of training resources and seminars enhances the knowledge and skill of our team members, providing guidance for them to perform tasks completely and correctly. This also has decreased our employee turnover rate as team members’ thoughts and ideas are heard and addressed.

Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. Growing up, I remember following my dad around the farm, asking lots of questions. Even when we had a lengthy list of tasks to complete, he always stopped and took time to answer each question, teach and follow up. These experiences helped to shape my love and passion for the dairy industry and our family farm. I am blessed to be able to work by his side every day.

What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? I enjoy being able to share this experience and passion with my family. Farming is not only my career, it is a lifestyle. Working with multiple generations of family definitely brings challenges. Some days are long and stressful with little time to rest; however, it is special to enjoy a quick break or meal together with family in the midst of an eventful day. I value the friendships that have been developed through years of exhibiting at local, state and national shows as well as the peer and mentor connections made through dairy industry youth, college and professional organizations and internships.

What is your biggest accomplishment in your dairy career? A highlight of my dairy career was being named a National Distinguished Junior Member Finalist by the Holstein Association USA in 2019, along with being honored as the 2019 Wisconsin Holstein Association Outstanding Holstein Girl.

What are the things you do to promote your farm or the dairy industry? We enjoy opening our farm to various tour groups to help showcase not only our farm but the dairy industry as a whole. We have hosted groups from local preschools through high school classes to homeschool groups to international dairy industry personnel, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin Buyer Groups and even a dairy-themed bachelorette party. I also occasionally get invited to be a guest speaker in the Campbellsport High School Agriculture Department, teaching various classes about dairy farming.

What advice would you give another woman in the dairy industry? My advice to women in the dairy industry is to follow your intuition. Your ideas and contributions are so important in helping to progress the industry. Make yourself heard and share your input or ideas as they provide a different perspective.

What is a challenge in the dairy industry you have faced and how did you overcome it? One challenge I faced was finding quality labor. When I first returned to the farm after earning a dairy science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the farm was experiencing frequent turnover in the midst of COVID challenges. An emphasis on Spanish studies in both high school and college has enabled me to help bridge the communication gap between Spanish and English-speaking team members and management. This increases not only protocol adherence and efficiency but also improves the social atmosphere on the farm. Developing a healthy culture has decreased turnover and is helping engage and retain a quality team.

When you get a spare moment, what do you do? I am currently enjoying my first year as varsity coach for the Campbellsport High School girls soccer team after several years as junior varsity coach. I serve on the Fond du Lac County Holstein Association board of directors and as one of the dairy superintendents for the Fond du Lac County Fair. I also enjoy spending time with my family, crocheting and traveling with my husband.