Matthew Bruening

Cedar Creek Ranch

Matthew Bruening, originally from Hollywood, Florida, grew up in a blue-collar family where hard work and hands-on learning were integral to everyday life. With a father who worked as a mechanic, Matthew spent much of his early years surrounded by machines, learning and working on everything from cars and trucks to stock cars and construction equipment. This summer, he will be interning at Cedar Creek Ranch near Ericson.

Although he didn't grow up directly in production agriculture, the industry was always nearby through extended family farms and friends. Working with animals and assisting on various properties sparked a strong interest in agriculture that continued to grow over the years. As an adult, this interest intensified through experiences working with cattle and horses, as well as helping fellow parishioners with their small beef herds. As Matthew puts it, “the itch never went away.”

Matthew applied for the Sandhills Ranch Internship Program because he saw it as an opportunity to bring about change and pursue work that feels meaningful. He believes this experience will help him build a future in the industry and gain practical skills he can carry forward. He is particularly excited about meeting new people, exploring opportunities, and learning management practices that he can apply beyond the summer.

In addition to his agricultural interests, Matthew has played guitar for 23 years and even performed professionally while in college. When it comes to ranch meals, he would keep the crew fed with shepherd's pie. If he could instantly master any ranch skill, he would choose doctoring, as he wants to build his skill set.

During his internship, Matthew hopes to improve his horsemanship skills while learning more about herd management practices, including grazing systems and pasture rotation. Looking ahead, he aspires to continue working in the field, assist other operations, and potentially establish his own beef operation in the future.