Steve and Mark Herberg Farm Partnership
The Herberg family started farming in Lake Prairie in 1875. They immigrated to the United States from Sweden and worked on the railroad until the time and opportunity were right to purchase property five miles west of what is now St. Peter. The farm was like many in the area at that time; it was diversified with cattle, chickens, hogs and crops. In the mid-1950s, the Herberg family began milking cows with many of the original herd coming from the registered Holsteins at the state hospital in St. Peter. The next generation of the family, brothers Steven and Mark Herberg, took over the operation in 1975.
Today, the Herberg farm consists of the milking herd in addition to corn and soybeans. Steven and his wife, Kathy, farm in partnership with Mark and his wife, Betty.
Steve and Mark are the daily operators of the farm. Kathy manages the books and Betty keeps the crew fed in the busy spring and fall seasons. Steve and Kathy have three children, Matt, Megan and Molly, who have varying degrees of involvement on the farm. Mark and Betty also have three children, David, Cory, and Lisa. Cory is employed on the farm and David helps in the fall with harvest.
Giving back to the community is important to the Herbergs. One of the highlights of the year is welcoming the local kindergarten class to the farm for a tour, a tradition that’s been going strong for over 30 years. Steve donates his auctioneer skills to various benefit auctions. Kathy serves in multiple volunteer roles with local and state 4-H. She is a former school board member and currently manages the Nicollet County Dairy Princess Program. The family volunteers time with Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Peter. Mark is on the Lake Prairie Township board and the board of Farmers Elevator of Traverse. Betty serves as treasurer of Lake Prairie Township.