our story
Berning Acres is a second generation family dairy farm. We milk nearly 400 cows, 3 times each day, 365 days a year! It sounds crazy, but fortunately we love everything about it — plus, we have some amazing employees who help make it happen!
Hi, I’m Natalie and I married Matt in 2007. Farming was all brand-new to me — honestly until I met Matt I probably only visited one other farm in my life. Anyways, I thought it was pretty cool to be dating a dairy farmer. We fell in love and now we have 5 children — 3 boys and 2 girls, from 4 years to 12 years old. We are the second generation to own the family dairy farm Berning Acres.
Matt’s parents, John and Ellen began the dairy operation on their own with two baby girls, 120 acres and 30 cows in 1973. John had grown up farming on his parents’ dairy and cattle farm in nearby Sinsinawa, WI and Ellen grew up as a daughter to an entrepreneur father and mother who owned a cheese factory, and several taverns. Fun fact, they actually purchased the farm ground from Ellen’s parents. Together they worked side by side, milking cows, harvesting the fields, and raising their 7 children.
Matt fell in love with the cows at an early age. Upon graduating from Wahlert High School, Matt chose to attend Southwest Technical College to study Dairy Herd Management and AgriBusiness Science & Technology, where he earned his Associates Degree. While studying at SW Tech Matt embraced the education he received to better their current operation. Matt learned about the newest technologies and innovations in the dairy industry. Fortunately, John and Ellen also embraced his courage and ambition to progress their dairy operation and together they continued to grow and expand their business.
Berning Acres truly is a family farm.
With most of Matt’s family in the local tristate area, many of the large family gatherings are held at the farm. As our kids are getting older most of their days are spent outside playing with the animals, using their imagination in the hay barns, helping Grandpa change the oil in a tractor, working alongside dad on the next endeavor or sometimes baking an apple pie with Grandma in her kitchen. The farm is often a playground for our children’s 25+ cousins, now many of them are old enough that their muscles come in handy, too!
We’re passionate about what we do and want to educate others about agriculture and the dairy farm industry.