Mulhern Dairy
The Mulhern farm originated in 1900 when Michael Mulhern and Rose Gaughan were married. The couple had six children. Two of the boys grew up and were married but the remaining siblings stayed on the farm and took over their parents’ diversified operation. The farm was sold to the siblings’ nephew and his wife, Eugene, and Beth, in 1970. Eugene and Beth had been residing in Maple Grove with their three children, Chris, Laurie, and Greg.
Eugene was ecstatic about being able to farm. He decided to re-establish the barn so he could milk 18 Holsteins along with working off the farm. An addition to the barn was built in 1980 allowing for the milking herd to expand to 64 cows. In the following years, expansion continued as did the modernization of the dairy.
After Eugene and Beth’s son, Greg, finished vocational school and married Barb Schmidt the four decided to build a new dairy facility on the farm. In 1995, the new facility was finished, and the family milked 300 cows. Eugene, Beth, Greg, and Barb became partners in the operation at that time.
In 2014, Gene and Beth retired. Greg and Barb’s nephew Cory, who had been working at the dairy, became a partner. Cory’s children along with Cory’s partner Billie Tweeten and her children are often working together on the farm. Family members along with 10 full-time employees and several part-time employees help make the farm a success. Nick Peterson has been employed by Mulhern Dairy for over 20 years.
Mulhern Dairy now consists of 900 cows milked three times a day. The family raises 850 dairy heifers and farms 1,400 acres. The Mulherns operate a custom forage harvesting business and are involved in custom manure application.
Greg and Barb had three children, Brett, Bradley, and Derek. Cory and Billie’s families include children Riley, Emma, Miles and Brynn.
Gene and Beth are members of the Southeast Minnesota Ag Alliance. Cory served on the county DHIA board and the county American Dairy Association. Billie serves on various church committees. Greg and Barb have served on church committees and Barb has also worked with the 4-H Federation. Derek is a past state FFA president. All family members are supporters of 4-H and FFA.