New Auburn farm opens ice cream business

NEW AUBURN — Dixie Klemish recalls that 40 years ago, there used to be seven dairy farms along their road southwest of New Auburn. The farm has been in her husband’s family since 1889.

“We’re the last one left,” she said. “It’s almost bittersweet when your child decides to take over the farm.”

In 2022, Dixie and Randy Klemish decided to create a new business on their farm, choosing to open their own ice cream processing facility. They won a USDA Dairy Business Innovation Alliance grant, using the money to construct their processing building. The Klemish Creamery opened in November 2022, using milk collected from their 54 dairy cows on the family farm.

“It just all came together,” she said. “I’ve been thinking of value-added products for a long time. There needs to be more profit coming into the farm. It’s a risk, and no one knew how it would go. But everyone is on board. It’s a family project.”

Now with more than 30 flavors of homemade ice cream, along with ice cream sandwiches and bars, the Klemish family is getting their products into numerous stores across the Chippewa Valley.

“Our cheesecake flavors are probably our most popular,” she said. “Some are seasonal. We make a caramel apple crisp in the fall.”

Dixie Klemish said she is surprised at the steady number of customers they see come by their farm and shop at a store inside their processing center.

“We’re busy every day,” she said. “I couldn’t believe the number of people who drove out here on a weekend.”

Joe Klemish, Dixie’s son who has taken over the dairy cows, tallied the numbers, showing that in a one-month span between June and July, they made more than 1,000 five-ounce cups and more than 1,500 ice cream sandwiches and 300 bars.

Dixie Klemish works for the U.S. Postal Service. When she comes home to the farm, she makes her own brownies, caramel and fudge that she blends into her ice cream varieties. She has found a number of recipes online, and they’ve modified them to make the flavors her own. During the interview, she made a batch of “peanut butter crunch.” There were multiple steps, and it ultimately made nine pints.

“It’s a second job for all of us. It’s time-consuming but it’s rewarding,” she said.

Right now, only about 5% of milk collected on their farm goes into their ice cream. Dixie Klemish said she is in the process of purchasing a cream separating machine, which would increase their ice cream and milk output significantly.

Klemish said they have had good word-of-mouth online and seen a steady growth.

“The best part is seeing people enjoy it,” Klemish said. “I think people have lost connection with the farm over the years. Ice cream is something you do when you’re in a good mood.”

Jerry Clark, UW Extension agriculture agent for Chippewa, Eau Claire and Dunn counties, praised the Klemish family.

“It’s one way to increase a profit on the farm — to add the value yourself,” Clark said. “They make that investment and capture that profit themselves.”

Clark said shops like the Klemish Creamery become tourist destinations.

“People are willing to travel for those experiences,” he said. “It’s a way to bring people back out to the farm and see where their food is made.”

Clark said Wisconsin has made it easier for farms to create businesses like this.

“The state has made it a priority to help farmers, so they can directly sell their food product,” said Clark.

Charlie Walker, Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation executive director, praised the Klemish family for making the investment in their farm.

“The young, small, nimble entrepreneur is alive and well in the Chippewa Valley,” Walker said. “They are doing some fantastic things in New Auburn. I think they are going to do very well. The technology improvements and new facility is awesome.”

Walker said he was hopeful of getting the Klemish family to be part of the upcoming Farm Technology Days event but it didn’t work out.

The Klemish farm is located at 22474 52nd Avenue, New Auburn. Their products are also sold at: Klinger Farm Market in Chippewa Falls, Menomonie Market Food Co-Op in both Eau Claire and Menomonie, Farm Market at SCF, located on Siverling Centennial Farm in Bloomer, Sand Creek Cafe in Sand Creek, Sunny’s Clear Lake Resort and Bar in New Auburn, Xpeditions Bar and Coffee in Bloomer, and Hixton Cheese & Village Market in Hixton.