February 26, 2025

From Teaching to Farming: How Natalie Berning Created a Farm Experience for Families

44 minutes

This episode runs on @WonderCowColostrum shop.wondercow.com/DAIRYGALVAL or Use code DAIRYGALVAL to save $$

Title: From Teaching to Farming: How Natalie Berning Created a Farm Experience for Families

Host: Val Lavigne

@DairyGalVal

www.dairygalval.com

Guest: Natalie Berning

Instagram: @berningacresinc

Facebook: @berningacresinc

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@berningacres

Website: https://berningacres.com/

Summary

In this episode of the Dairy Hour Podcast, host Val Lavigne speaks with Natalie Berning, who shares her journey from a non-farming background to running a successful dairy farm and Agri-tourism business with her husband. They discuss the challenges of winter weather, Natalie's upbringing, her unique love story with Matt, and how she transitioned from teaching to becoming an integral part of the farm. The conversation also highlights the launch of their farm camp and the importance of community engagement. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the success of a farm camp initiative, the importance of monetizing farm experiences, and the value of educating the public about agriculture. They explore how family involvement enhances the farm experience and the significance of networking within the agricultural community. The discussion also includes rapid-fire questions that reveal personal insights and motivations, culminating in a reflection on the importance of teaching the next generation about farming and food sources.

Takeaways

Natalie runs a dairy farm with 500 cows and five kids.

She started an egg tourism business to engage families.

Growing up, she had no farming background but loved the outdoors.

Meeting her husband at a wedding changed her life trajectory.

Natalie taught her husband how to swim on their honeymoon.

They had five kids in seven years, which kept them busy.

The idea for farm camp grew from their children's interests.

Natalie's teaching experience helped her design farm camp activities.

The farm has become a community hub for family activities.

They have a large family with 31 grandkids, fostering a close-knit community. The farm camp was an instant success, attracting a lot of interest.

Pricing for farm experiences should reflect the value provided.

Diversifying farm income is essential for sustainability.

Family involvement in farm activities enhances the experience for visitors.

Networking with other farmers can lead to valuable insights and ideas.

Education is key to bridging the gap between consumers and agriculture.

Positive feedback from visitors can uplift farmers and validate their work.

Hands-on experiences at the farm are valuable for all ages.

It's important to charge what you're worth in the agricultural industry.

Continuous learning is a vital part of farming and agriculture.

Sound Bites

"We have 500 cows, five kiddos."

"We had five kids in seven years."

"We could do this farm camp thing."

"It was an instant success!"

"The value is there for sure!"

"They give him life!"

"I love seeing your kids!"

"I learn something new every day!"

"We need to educate the consumers."

Chapters