‘Rooted in family, built on hard work, raised with heart’

Lisa Haefs

Contributor

May 11, 2026

WAUSAU – What started with a bad burger experience, Amber and Matt Bronsteatter said, has grown Granite Ridge Farm into a family-run operation rooted in hard work, loyalty and respect for the land and its animals.

Amber said as a second-generation farmer, Matt’s upbringing is rooted in farming – “farming has always been in his blood” – a background that differs from her in-town roots, a contrast that became clear early in their relationship. 

“One night, before we were even engaged, I brought home some really expensive ground beef for supper,” she said. “Matt cooked it up, was not impressed, and said, ‘I’m going to show you what real ground beef tastes like.’”

That simple moment, the couple said, sparked a passion that set them on the path to where they are today.

“The next day, I went and bought a couple of Holstein steers,” Matt said.

That moment, he said, came in 2008.

Marrying three years later, the Bronsteatters said they have since built a 140-acre spread northeast of Wausau focused on raising 100% grass-fed beef.

Their approach, Amber said, reflects a commitment to knowing where food comes from.

After several years with Holstein steers, they transitioned to Herefords, a breed Matt said is known for its calm nature, hardiness and ability to thrive in northern climates on grass and hay. 

“We slowly started building a herd,” Amber said.

Today, she said the farm maintains about 50 cows and three bulls, producing roughly 50 calves each year.

Amber said some calves are sold, heifers are kept to build and refresh the herd and steers are processed and sold as quarters, halves and ground beef.

“When we first started raising cattle, we decided to process all the meat into total grind to get a 

nice lean ground beef, with the flavor from prime cuts,” she said. “Everyone loved it.”

The couple said they soon added swine, which are processed into bacon, pork chops, roasts, pork steaks, ground pork, sausage and spare ribs.

Amber said they also sell steaks, roasts and ground beef from steers sourced from a nearby friend’s farm.

The next level

The Bronsteatters said they took the business to the next level in summer 2021, converting part of their barn into a farm store.

“The idea for our farm store didn’t come from a big business plan – it came from watching other small farms do something simple and meaningful,” she said. “They had places where neighbors stopped in, conversations happened and food came straight from the people who raised it. At first, Matt wasn’t totally sold on the idea – but he trusted me enough to let me run with it.”

At first, Amber said the store served as a simple outlet to sell the farm’s beef directly to the community.

“The start was slow,” she said, “but as people found us, the store grew right along with the relationships.”

Over time, Amber said the store expanded to include locally made goods and items from small businesses, highlighting makers who are committed to quality, care and honest work.

“Supporting those makers and bringing their products to our community has become an important part of who we are,” she said. “We’re proud of what it represents – connection, trust and community.”

Amber said the store’s selection includes everything from maple syrup, creamed honey and coffee to milled flour, candles and tallow-based products.

“I find local makers, and some find me,” she said. “I want to give people an opportunity to share their talents with the community. We really try to be advocates for our local farmers and our producers.”

The Bronsteatters said their focus on whole-animal use has also led them into a growing market for natural dog treats.

“Our dog treats came to life thanks to a curious idea, a little research and a very willing taste-tester,” she said. “As beef farmers, we often had extra beef liver and heart on hand – nutrient-dense organ meats we knew were too good to waste.” 

The couple said further research showed that freeze-dried raw organ meat is a nutrient-dense, protein-rich treat dogs love.

“Our old dog, Brody, proudly took on the role of chief taste-tester and gave them two paws up,” Amber said.

Today, she said that job is handled by their Great Pyrenees – Grizz and Gnocchi – and their Bernese Mountain Dog, King.

Treats come in a variety of flavors and package sizes, including freeze-dried cheese pieces and CBD-infused liver – which Amber said promotes calm behavior, helps ease everyday stress and supports joint comfort.

“Making these treats lets us use as much of the animal as possible, minimize waste and turn good farm ingredients into something dogs love,” she said. “We are growing our treat line, always staying true to our roots: keeping it simple, small-batch, made by us and crafted with love.”

Amber said the natural treats are available at the farm and in a range of specialty shops, co-ops and pet stores across North Central Wisconsin, with additional small business locations continuing to be added.

“It’s become a big part of the farm business,” she said. “It helps keep the farm flowing. We’re very grateful for the dog treats.”

Also, as a part of their whole-animal approach, Amber said they render suet from cattle and pigs into food-grade tallow and lard.

“We raise the animals,” she said. “We care for them and want to use everything they supply us. We don’t want to waste anything. This is another way of being caregivers of the land and of the animals.”

Amber said that connection to the land even extends to the name of the farm.

“Granite Ridge Farm is a name shaped by the land and the journey that brought us here,” she said. “Matt grew up farming ground threaded with black granite – the place where our story with beef first began.”

Years later, Amber said they moved their family and herd to a farm across town, where red granite now marks the soil beneath their boots.

‘A way of life’

Amber said granite ties the past to the present, honoring the “roots that shaped us and the ground we stand on today.”

“We added Ridge for the driveway, lined with stone pulled from the land itself – a quiet reminder that this farm is built on deep roots, steady hands and solid ground,” she said.

Though it may sound idyllic, the Bronsteatters said farming is a demanding way of life.

With both her and Matt working full-time jobs off the homestead, the couple said much of the work around the animals, store, garden and barns happens on nights and weekends.

Amber said family and friends have been essential to keeping everything running – noting that when help is needed, people are quick to step in.

Though the farm is a business, Amber said it’s more of a way of life, adding that the connections she, Matt and their children Brock, 13, and Marletta, 10, have built with the community, the land and their animals go far beyond the bottom line.

“Everything we do here comes from the heart,” she said. “From caring for our livestock, to supporting other small businesses, to feeding our community, this farm exists to serve something bigger than ourselves. We’re grateful for the opportunity to do this work – and even more grateful for the people who choose to support small family farms like ours.”

Located at 38226 Chico Road, Amber said the Granite Ridge Farm store is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily – with updates posted on Facebook as well as the farm’s newly created website, graniteridgefarmwi.com.

Now open for online ordering, the Bronsteatters said they “muddled” their way through building the website – “keeping it simple, basic and true to their core identity.”

“Right now, we’re starting small – you’ll find our freeze-dried dog treats available for shipping,” Amber said. “We’ll continue adding more products over time, but like farming, we’re growing this one step at a time.”