The Bruning Family Farm in Brown County was established in 1920 by Jim Bruning’s grandfather, H. H. Bruning. The farm has remained in family ownership for more than a century. From its earliest years, the land has been managed with an understanding that productive agriculture and healthy wildlife habitat can coexist. The farm encompasses fewer than 800 acres, with significant acreage dedicated to wildlife habitat and conservation programs, including the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).

Wildlife conservation has been a primary focus of the Bruning Family Farm since the late 1960s and early 1970s, led by brothers Jim and Gordon Bruning who loved hunting, fishing, and being out in nature. The farmland has been terraced and maintained to reduce erosion and protect downstream water quality. An eight-acre pond was constructed in the early 1980s along Roy’s Creek, providing flood control, reducing runoff, and serving as a vital water source for wildlife.

Under the 11-year management of tenant operator Richard Tesoriero, numerous habitat improvements have been implemented. Luke Terry of Custom Forestry Services has been instrumental in the planting of native trees and shrubs, as well as native grasses and wildflowers including American plum, elderberry, fragrant sumac, and hazelnut. These varieties have been established to provide food, cover and nesting areas for wildlife. Their combined efforts have resulted in increased populations of quail, pheasants and other native species. These efforts also contribute to a larger network of habitats by helping connect wildlife corridors between neighboring properties, supporting species movement and long-term ecological stability.

The Bruning Family believes conservation begins with thoughtful management, including removing invasive species, planting native vegetation, and maintaining ground cover and wildflowers to support wildlife diversity. Their long-standing commitment to stewardship reflects a responsibility to preserve the land for future generations while honoring the conservation values established by those who came before them.