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The Wisconsin Dairy Athlete of the Month sponsored by WisSports.net (WSN) in partnership with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW) aims to connect consumers with Wisconsin’s dedicated dairy farmers and the youth who grow and raise food for their local communities.  

DFW and WSN are recognizing high school student-athletes who are actively involved on a Wisconsin dairy farm and participate in at least one WIAA-sanctioned varsity sport. Dairy is a vital part of the economy in nearly every Wisconsin county, whether urban or rural. Family-owned farms, dairy processors and dairy-related businesses generate thousands of jobs and millions of dollars of economic activity while contributing to local income and tax revenues.

Nominate a high school athlete for the Wisconsin Dairy Athlete of the Month by clicking here.

Tysen Lindner
Greenwood High School 
Class of 2025
Lindner Bros

Sports:

Lindner: I am on the basketball and softball varsity teams. In basketball, I am a team captain and play the post position. In softball, I am the shortstop and have also played center field.

How do you balance farm, school and athletics?

Lindner: During the school year and sports seasons, I mostly just do farm work during the weekends and sometimes after practice depending on what time I get home. I go to practice right after school and I try to get most of my schoolwork done during my free periods, so I am not staying up late doing it every single night. 

What hobbies / interests do you have outside of dairy farming? 

Lindner: I love to hang out with friends and family, deer hunt, play piano, and show beef steers at our county fair.

How else are you involved in your local community?

Lindner: I am part of our FFA chapter and am our current president. I am also in 4-H, Student Council, NHS, FCCLA, and Spanish Club. I am able to volunteer a lot through FFA. Some examples are helping out at the Dairy Breakfast, Alumni tractor pulls, blood drives, and highway cleanups. Through my other clubs, I am also able to help out with community events such as the youth basketball and volleyball tournaments and any other events that arise.

ON THE FARM

What is your farm story and how long have you been involved in the operation?

Lindner: Lindner Bros started in the 1930s in a tie stall barn. Since then, it had been extended multiple times until a fire ruined the hay mow. We built a double 10 parlor and free stall barn where we milk roughly 250 Holstein cows, and rebuilt the tie stall barn into our now calf barn. We run around 800 acres of farmland. I have lived on the farm my whole life and started helping out with calf chores when I was around five years old.

What is your role on the farm?

Lindner: My role varies throughout the seasons, but something that I do the same throughout the year is taking care of the calves. I feed, keep them clean, scrap pens, give medications, ear tag, and anything else that they need. I also will help out with field work and harvest, as well as running the free stall barn during milking, milk cows, and move heifers occasionally. 

Who do you farm with?

Lindner: With my parents, two brothers, and papa Tim.

What is your favorite part of being involved with the farm?

Lindner: My favorite part is all of the valuable life lessons, skills, and experiences I get every day. I am able to translate them into life outside of the farm which will be with me throughout my lifetime.

Where does your farm ship its milk?

Lindner: Mullins Cheese

What product is your milk turned into?

Lindner: Cheese

What sustainability practices do you employ on your farm?

Lindner: We use multiple sustainability practices, some are hauling our manure onto our fields to get the nutrients back into the soil, having waterways throughout the fields, cover crops, and crop rotations.

What is your most proud moments or farm achievements/awards?

Lindner: Our farm held the 2024 Greenwood Dairy Breakfast which was a huge success. We also have held Food for America at our farm for the past two years. Food for America is run by our FFA chapter where we bring 5th and 6th grade students to a local farm. We teach them all about agriculture, the importance of farming, farm safety, and careers in agriculture.

Future plans:

Lindner: I plan on attending either UW River Falls or CVTC for Crop and Soil Science or Agronomy.

Nominate a high school athlete for the Wisconsin Dairy Athlete of the Month by clicking here.

One athlete will be selected from nominations received each month.  Selected student athletes will be featured on www.wissports.net as well as DFW and WSN social media channels. 

About Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin

Funded by Wisconsin dairy farmers, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is a non-profit organization that focuses on marketing and promoting Wisconsin's world-class dairy products. For more information, visit our website at wisconsindairy.org.