Mary Kluck, a 2024 graduate of Northcentral Technical College, recently became a published author. But her book, “Welcome to My Farm,” started long before it was ever printed on a page.

It began with the life she lived growing up on her family’s sixth-generation dairy farm, where every day meant caring for cows and learning firsthand that every glass of milk and block of cheese represent countless hours of hard work.  

Thus began her passion for agriculture and education.  

A photo shows a person pouring feed from a scoop into a wheelbarrow inside a barn. Several black-and-white cows stand nearby, with sunlight coming through the open doorway.
Mary Kluck feeds the cows at her family farm. All photos by Sharon Vanorny.

She was able to combine both into a published children’s book that is helping the next generation understand where their food comes from.  

“I wanted to be that bridge,” Mary said. “It’s important for kids to make the connection from field to fork and understand the hardworking farmers and animals that make it possible.”  

Growing up in rural Wisconsin, she noticed that fewer children had direct connections to agriculture than previous generations.  

“There are a lot of kids whose relatives grew up on farms, but that’s starting to fade away,” she said. “I wanted to help educate students about where their food comes from.”  

While in high school, Mary was active in Future Farmers of America (FFA), and she was looking for a project that would benefit her community. She began imagining how to bring the farm into an elementary school classroom.  

She took photographs from her family’s farm, showing each stage of a cow’s life, from calf to heifer to milking cow, and compiled explanations of how their care changes as they grow. She highlighted the different feeds cattle eat throughout their lives and included photos of their stalls and familiar routines. The book began simply; a printed document to serve as a classroom resource. She received grants from the Wittenberg-Birnamwood FFA Alumni and the Shawano County Farm Bureau, which helped fund the first printed copies.  

A photo shows a person climbing into a green tractor with large yellow wheels. Two dogs stand on the grass beside the tractor. A red barn, fencing, and several black-and-white cows are visible in the background.
Mary Kluck climbs up into the cab of a tractor at her family farm. All photos by Sharon Vanorny.

Mary graduated from Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School in 2022, but she kept working on the book. She knew she wanted a future in agriculture, and several family members, including her brother and cousin, had attended NTC and encouraged her to do the same. She graduated in 2024 after studying dairy science and agribusiness.  

Eventually, the Wisconsin Historical Society became interested in the book, helping bring the book to publication. The book is now available for purchase and is reaching readers all over.  

“It feels amazing to see all of the hard work come to life,” Mary said. “I’m able to share the passion I have for the dairy industry while helping kids make that connection between food and farm.”  

Initially, she had envisioned using her education to operate a dairy farm, but as her book grew, so did her aspirations. After graduating from NTC, Mary transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Today, she serves as an Agricultural Ambassador at the Food + Farm Exploration Center in Plover, where she continues the same mission that inspired her book.  

The center features interactive exhibits exploring crop production, greenhouses, grocery stores, agricultural technology, machinery and STEM. Children can experiment with displays, explore how crops are grown and discover the science behind food production through hands-on learning.  

Between her book and her job, Mary said she hopes children develop an appreciation not only for farmers, but also for the animals, responsibility and stewardship that make agriculture possible.  

A photo shows a person walking along a dirt road beside a brown-and-white dog. A second dog is farther down the road. Numerous black-and-white cows are lying or standing in a fenced area beside the road, with grass, fields, and trees in the background.
Mary Kluck walks with her dogs through her family farm. All photos by Sharon Vanorny.