At Kalona SuperNatural, our commitment to small family farms runs deeper than just purchasing their organic dairy. We believe that truly sustainable agriculture requires supporting the farmers who steward the land and care for the animals that produce our minimally processed dairy products.
In our recent Milk Chat with Joe, we discussed the multiple ways we work to ensure our farming partners thrive.
Fair Compensation for Quality
“We do pay our farmers extra for their product,” Joe explained during our conversation. This premium pricing isn’t just about acknowledging the superior quality of grass-fed, pasture-raised dairy—it’s about recognizing the value of their work.
“We want to support them with a living wage,” he continued. “They need to be awarded for the product they make.”
In the world of conventional dairy, farmers often struggle with volatile pricing that barely covers production costs. At Kalona SuperNatural, we believe that regenerative farming practices deserve financial recognition, allowing our farmers to sustain their families and their land for generations to come.
Dedicated Support Team
Beyond fair pricing, we’ve invested in a support structure for our farming community. “We also have a whole team that’s dedicated to being out there bringing the farmers the best practices,” Joe shared.
This hands-on approach ensures that our farmers have access to the latest information on regenerative agriculture, animal welfare, and sustainable farm management—all while respecting their independence and traditional farming methods.
Educational Opportunities
Knowledge sharing is another cornerstone of our farmer support program. “We host multiple trainings a year of good farming practices,” Joe noted. These gatherings provide valuable information while respecting each farm’s unique character.
“We give them guidelines not trying to create a mega farm out of a bunch of small farms,” Joe emphasized. Our goal isn’t standardization—it’s empowerment. We respect that each small family farm has its own approach to regenerative agriculture, and we aim to enhance rather than replace their generational wisdom.
Community Building
Perhaps one of the most valuable aspects of our farmer support network is the community it creates. Joe described the magic that happens when farmers gather:
“It’s fun. You get a group of farmers together and you open up time for them to talk and they’ll start saying ‘Well I did this this past year. What—how’d you do—you did that? How did it work for you?’ And they will start talking and you will get this growing sense of excitement.”
This peer-to-peer knowledge exchange creates an environment where innovation flourishes naturally. As Joe observed, “Every one of us in our own field, we’re always looking to do the best job we can.”
The Kalona Difference
Our approach to farmer support reflects our broader philosophy about food production. Just as we process our milk minimally—using low-temperature vat pasteurization and avoiding homogenization—we take a similar approach to our farmer relationships. We provide support without over-processing their individuality or traditional methods.
The result is a network of thriving small family farms producing exceptional organic dairy products that maintain their natural qualities—truly earning the name Kalona SuperNatural.
This blog post is part of our ongoing “Milk Chats” series, where we explore the people and practices behind our organic dairy products.