For Paul Cornette, farming has always been more than a livelihood—it's a family legacy. As a multi-generational farmer and owner of Cornette Dairy in Luxemburg, Wisconsin, Paul knows what it means to be resilient while carrying on a family tradition that began decades ago with his parents, Jim and Barb. Since returning to the family operation in 2007, Paul has overseen significant growth and innovation, while relying on GreenStone Farm Credit Services as a trusted financial partner every step of the way.
The Cornette family’s relationship with GreenStone stretches back to 1980, when Paul’s father first began working with the Farm Credit association. Over the years, that relationship deepened, with GreenStone supporting the family through various milestones—from rebuilding their farm after a devastating fire in 1995 to expanding their operations in recent decades. In 2006, when GreenStone launched its Patronage Program that returns a portion of its profits to its member-owners annually, Cornette Dairy was among the first to benefit. For all 20 years of the program, Paul has received annual Patronage checks, and the impact has been substantial.
“When I first came back to the farm, the Patronage check felt like a nice spring bonus,” Paul recalled. “It was something we could use to pad the checkbook and reinvest where needed. But as the farm grew, and we took on more responsibilities, those checks became even more significant.”
That growth has been remarkable. After Paul and his brother, Tom, purchased the farm from their parents in 2014, they expanded operations again in 2016 by installing five robotic milkers and building a new barn. Today, Cornette Dairy milks 360 cows and farms nearly 1,000 acres, growing much of their own feed. These advancements required significant investment, and GreenStone was there to provide the support they needed.
“The Patronage checks come in the spring, which is the perfect time of year,” Paul explained. “It allows us to prepay for crop inputs like seed and fertilizer, which helps us save money. Other years, it’s gone toward updating equipment or making repairs. It’s been a real financial boost, especially as we’ve carried more debt through expansions.”
GreenStone has provided more than just financial benefits. Over the years, Cornette Dairy has tapped into a range of GreenStone services, including bookkeeping, tax preparation, crop insurance and dairy revenue protection. Paul credits GreenStone’s team for its expertise and dedication to helping his operation succeed.
“We’ve worked with a lot of great people at GreenStone,” said Paul. “They bring real value to the table by helping us make informed decisions. Whether it’s planning for a new barn or navigating crop insurance, they’ve always had our back.”
Paul's relationship with GreenStone’s VP of Lending Antonia (Toni) Sorenson exemplifies this strong partnership. Paul and Toni have known each other since their college days, and their professional collaboration has continued to grow over the years.
“Paul’s commitment to his farm and his family’s legacy is inspiring,” says Toni. “It’s been a privilege to support him as he’s grown his family's farm and incorporated new technologies like robotic milking. Watching our customers succeed is one of the best parts of my job.”
For Paul, GreenStone’s cooperative model has been a key factor in his continued loyalty.
“The fact that we’re part of a cooperative that shares its success with us—it makes a big difference,” he said. “GreenStone has been there through the ups and downs, and that consistency means a lot.”
Looking back, Paul reflects on the journey that brought Cornette Dairy to where it is today. From his father’s purchase of the farmstead in 1972 to the expansions that have propelled the operation into the future, one thing remains constant: the value of strong partnerships.
As Cornette Dairy celebrates with all GreenStone members the two decades of receiving Patronage payments, Paul remains optimistic about the future. With GreenStone by his side, he knows his family farm is well-positioned to continue thriving for years to come.
