Karl Kroeck farms more than 1,000 acres in Tioga County, Pa. He practices no-till farming to help protect the soil.

Karl is well-known and respected in his community. He frequently visits local dairy farmers, like Phil Wood, to offer his help and support.

Karl has farmed in Tioga County since 1969. His dairy farm is shown in the background.

The cows at Kroeck Farms are housed in an open-faced barn that provides air circulation and protection.

Mike Kroeck, Karl’s son, is responsible for caring for the dairy cows. Each morning and evening, Mike milks the cows, allowing him to keep a close eye on their health and comfort.

Each spring through the fall, the Kroeck cows graze on the lush green fields surrounding the dairy barn.

Kroeck is a Force in Community

Name: Karl Kroeck

Farm name: Kroeck Farms

Family: Son, Mike; daughter-in-law, Julie; step-grandson, Jason

Location: Tioga County, Pa.

There’s a saying, “If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it.” That certainly applies to Karl Kroeck. He not only owns and operates a dairy farm but also farms more than 1,000 acres of crops in Tioga County, Pa.

Karl grew up on a small dairy farm in Lancaster County, Pa. After spending several years in the U.S. Army, he returned home to his parent’s dairy. When he began to seek opportunities to expand the dairy farm, Karl found low-cost land and a great community in Tioga County. Soon after moving in 1969, Karl become the township supervisor, a position he still holds today.

A typical day for Karl starts with a 4:30 a.m. wake-up call. After helping his son, Mike, milk the family’s 135 dairy cows, Karl heads to town to pick-up the mail – his and the town’s! A quick trip to the bank, where he is a director, to take care of several errands is followed by the seemingly endless ringing of Karl’s cell phone. Then it’s time for the “real” work: There is always plenty of plowing, planting or harvesting to be done. The day doesn’t usually end for Karl until well past dark. And that’s not all. Along with his farm, Karl is an independent Pioneer Seed representative, selling seed to producers in several counties. He is one busy man!

Being the township supervisor and a much respected dairy farmer brings with it the responsibility for answering questions and addressing problems all day long. Karl handles this with aplomb and grace. “I’ve always been community minded. I care about this town and its upkeep, which is why I keep doing what I do,” Karl says.

Caring for the Environment

In the valleys and mountain slopes of Tioga County, Karl grows more than 1,000 acres of row crops, such as corn, wheat, soybeans and hay. An important practice he uses is no-till growing. This method increases soil quality, protects the soil from erosion, decreases evaporation of water, and decreases the structural breakdown of the soil. Karl has seen a great success in using no-till growing. “I farm in the historic Cowanesque Valley,” he says. “The soil here is rich and fertile, and I feel that no-till growing helps me protect the integrity of the land.”

Cows are Pampered

The dairy cows at Kroeck Farm live the good life. Each day they are milked in a clean, comfortable parlor and eat a feed specially formulated to meet their nutrition needs. Karl places a priority on his cow’s food. “We feed our cows well. In our experience it keeps them healthy and producing well,” he says. "A good nutrient and mineral balance is the key and something we keep a close eye on each day.”

The cows are housed in an open-faced freestall barn that allows for excellent air circulation and also protects the animals from the weather. The cows get the chance to graze on the many fields that surround the dairy, mostly during the spring and summer when the grass contains the best nutrients.

Well-Known Community Man

Karl is a bit “famous” in his community. Driving through the county, he waves to each truck passing by and stops frequently to check in with his fellow farmers on projects or to see if they need help with their operation.

“Karl will plant someone else’s crop before his own,” says Phil Wood, a local dairyman. “He is always available to offer advice and help to the producers in this area, and in fact, has been instrumental in helping this community transition to the new ways of farming. I know I would not have been able to succeed without his help.”

Karl not only farms the local land to sell feed to area dairy farmers, he also does the field work (called custom cropping) for 10 dairy farms in the county. “I farm most of the land in a six-mile radius of my home,” Karl says proudly. “It is a lot of work, but I love doing it.”

In addition to being the townships supervisor, Karl is a director for the Citizens of Northern Bank, the chairman of the Pennsylvania No-till Alliance, a member of the Tioga County Development Corporation, a member of the Tioga County Planning Committee and the founder and current chairman of the Tioga County Farmland Preservation Board.

And his contributions don’t stop there. For more than 20 years, Karl has been a member of the Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program, serving as chairman for the past six years.

“I believe in making things happen, that’s why I am so involved,” Karl says. “It’s part of my personality. Dairy promotion is something I practice and preach. Each day, I see the health benefits of the dairy products I eat, and I am always telling people about how great our products are. Having the chance to make consumers more aware of the health benefits of dairy is why I continue to be involved in the Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program.”

Luckiest Guy in the World

Karl’s dairy farm and cropping operation certainly keep him busy, especially in the spring and the fall. But despite the long days and hard work, Karl assures: “I am the luckiest guy in the world. I always wanted to farm, and I now have everything I ever wanted. I’m not rich, but I sure am happy. I have my share of problems, but the joy and sense of accomplishment I get each day from my work, makes it all worth it.”