Paul Windemuller’s path to the dairy industry is just as much about communication as it is about cows.
The first-generation dairy farmer is bringing his industry insight to life through his podcast, “AgCulture,” which bridges the gap between those involved in agriculture and those who enjoy its benefits. That’s gained him recognition as NMPF’s 2025 Farmer Communicator of the Year.
From tending to his herd to speaking into the mic, his message remains the same: Dairy farming is a story worth telling, and it’s best told by those who live it every day.
“Sharing our story isn’t about saying, ‘Look what we’ve accomplished.’ It’s about showing people that it’s still possible to start a farm from scratch if you’re curious, hard-working, and willing to think outside the box,” Windemuller said.
Windemuller’s first farming foray was growing vegetables with his brother Jeremy as a teenager, which led him to realize that agriculture can be both a passion and a business. Windemuller went on to study agribusiness at Michigan State University, which gave him international connections, working at a dairy in New Zealand.
The experience made him determined to start a dairy farm. In 2012, Paul and his family moved back to the United States. After working for Dairy Farmers of America for a couple of years, Windemuller’s dream came true in 2014 when he and his wife, Brittany, purchased a 13-acre property with an old tie-stall barn, a turkey coop, and a small shop.
“We converted the turkey coop into a free stall barn, built a homemade parlor in the old tie-stall barn, and started milking 30 cows. Our only piece of equipment was a $3,000 skid loader,” Windemuller said.
From there, the farm grew to 250 cows in four years, with two new barns, and eventually robotic milkers. “That’s when my interest in ag technology really began—using sensors, data, and automation to better manage the herd,” Windemuller said.
Paul Windemuller with his wife, Brittany and their six children. Windemuller has never shied away from a challenge, as he went on to partner with a bank to turn around a failed 900-cow dairy, which eventually expanded to 2,000 cows.
“After stabilizing that operation, I transitioned into consulting, where I helped other farmers with budgeting, marketing, and technology integration,” Windemuller said. “That evolved into ag-tech consulting, and eventually, I launched my own podcast, where I share stories from across agriculture.”
His podcast, which he launched in 2023, has provided Windemuller with a platform to ask tough questions of those from different backgrounds.
“Those conversations help me understand different perspectives and bridge gaps between the farm and policy worlds,” Windemuller said.
Beyond likes, reshares, and views, Windemuller focuses on “sharing real life moments without overthinking it.” As the 2025 NMPF Farmer Communicator of the Year, Windemuller is encouraging other farmers to share their story, as people connect to authenticity not perfection.
“I think as an industry, we’ve sometimes tried too hard to present an unrealistic, ’storybook‘ image of farming,” he said. “When we share the hard parts—the struggles, the risks, the ‘we almost went broke’ moments—it makes our success more relatable. Authentic storytelling builds respect far beyond agriculture.”
Windemuller was inspired to share his journey in dairy farming by his unconventional pathway into agriculture.
“I’ve always had a heart for helping people without a farm background find their place in agriculture,” he said. “You might have to do it differently than previous generations, but there are still opportunities if you’re curious, hard-working, and willing to think outside the box.”
As a member of DFA’s Emerging Leaders program, Windemuller has gained a deeper understanding of the entire dairy industry beyond the farm.
“As farmers, we sometimes forget how much happens off the farm—the processing, distribution, marketing, and policy work that keep our industry running,” he said. “This program opened my eyes to how interconnected all those parts are and how important it is for farmers to be part of those conversations, especially in Washington and state capitals.”
Windemuller emphasizes that communication is important in advocacy, especially for those who are not familiar with farming.
“Farmers can use social media to counter misinformation about agriculture by being real. Don’t hide what we do or how we do it. Transparency builds trust, and we shouldn’t be ashamed of modern farming practices,” Windemuller advises.
He encourages other dairy farmers to take photos and videos, capture real moments, and collaborate with people outside of farming.
“They’ll ask the right questions and help you see what’s relatable to a broader audience,” Windemuller said.
