Today’s June Dairy Month farm stop visits with the Ben and Allison Sperberg Farm in Red River. Their farm is about 300 acres and has been in the family for a long time.

“My great-grandpa started up at a different location,” Ben said of his family farm’s history. “Grandpa bought it from him, moved to another location. Dad bought it from [grandpa] and we moved here. Then I basically bought if from them now this year and it’s been kind of going on ever since.”

Ben said there was a time he questioned if he was going to continue the farm years ago, but said once a farmer, always a farmer.

“At a young age, you’re not sure what you want to do, but when you grow up in this kind of atmosphere you kind of figure out that if you like it you’re going to do it. I’m really enjoying it. You could be from having a calf to seeing your first crop come out of the ground, so it’s very exciting.”

Ben’s wife Allison is the recent winner of the radio station’s Farm Woman of the Year Award and balances farm life with being a new mother. Ben says Allison helps with milking and they also have one member of hired help staff.

The Sperbergs are currently milking over 100 cattle with 120 head on the farm, but have not really gotten into the newer technologies when it comes to modified crops.

“I think there’s going to be a lot of guys going that route, but as far as us, I don’t see us going anywhere fast,” Ben said. “Try to stay as basic as possible. We don’t try to do too much. We know we’re feeding the cattle with it, so we don’t want to put any more than we have to.”

For those who may take an interest in agriculture or farming, Ben says the best way to learn is to spend time on the farm.

“I would encourage anybody that has an opportunity to see a farm to definitely go and check it out,” he recommended. “We’re always looking for people to come and take a look. We’re not shy about it. If you’re willing to come out and get your boots dirty a little bit, walk around, there’s plenty to see and plenty to do.”