Welcome to The Dairy Hour Podcast, where rural charm meets personal growth! Join us as we milk every moment for wisdom, self-improvement, and mental wellness. Farming is often more than just hard work—it’s a journey of resilience, personal growth, and constant challenges. In this episode of the Dairy Hour Podcast, host Val Lavigne (@DairyGalVal) sits down with Natalie Berning, a former teacher without a background in agriculture who has gone from teacher to dairy farmer and turned her passion for hands-on learning into life on a 500-cow dairy farm, launching an agritourism business, and running a successful farm camp.
In this episode of The Dairy Hour Podcast,
I’m your host, Val Lavigne, a rural dairy farming mom with a passion for filling hearts while never forgetting to fill my own cup. Get ready for insightful conversations, empowering tips, and a splash of fun and laughs, of course!
Posted on 26 Feb 2025 · 44 minutes
Watch Dairy Gal Val talk to her guest Natalie Berning about how she went from teacher to dairy farmer
From Teacher to Dairy Farmer & Farm Camp Creator
Natalie Berning never imagined she’d become a dairy farmer, but life had other plans. Growing up without a farming background, she loved the outdoors and adventure. When she met her husband, Matt, at a wedding, her life took an unexpected turn toward agriculture. Now, she’s balancing life on a 500-cow dairy farm with raising five kids, launching an agritourism business, and running a successful farm camp.
In this episode, Natalie shares how she went from teacher to dairy farmer and how her teaching background helped her create a hands-on farm experience for families. What started as a simple idea quickly turned into a thriving business, engaging children and adults in learning about dairy and farm life. She and Val discuss the importance of monetizing farm experiences, community engagement, and how farmers can bridge the gap between agriculture and consumers.
Key Takeaways
- Natalie and Matt run a dairy farm with 500 cows and have five kids.
- She transitioned from teacher to dairy farmer, using her skills to develop educational farm programs.
- Their farm camp was an instant success, attracting families eager to learn about agriculture.
- Pricing farm experiences appropriately ensures sustainability and reflects their value.
- Hands-on farm activities help educate the next generation about food production.
- Networking with other farmers has been key to Natalie’s growth and success.
Tune in to hear how Natalie turned her passion for teaching into an impactful farm experience!
This episode is powered by @WonderCowColostrum. Shop at shop.wondercow.com/DAIRYGALVAL and use code DAIRYGALVAL to save $$.
Listen Now!
Don’t miss this heartfelt and insightful conversation.
Don’t forget to subscribe to the Dairy Hour podcast and save on WonderCow Colostrum with code DAIRYGALVAL at shop.wondercow.com/DAIRYGALVAL!
Let’s cultivate growth, nourish our minds, and embrace the journey together. This is the Dairy Hour Podcast – where every episode is a breath of fresh air and the inspiration you need to be your best self! If you love this podcast, please leave a review and share with a friend! To be considered as a guest on the show, please email Val or inquire on www.dairygalval.com.
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