Bernie and Jen are alumni of the University of Wisconsin- River Falls and are former educators.  

They are the proud parents of five children, Kylah, Benno, Kressa, Ava and Teddy. Their small family-run business began in August 2013 with the renovation of a three-car garage on their Resource Recovery Team, LLC.’s business property. The idea was to create a business venture for the whole family, resulting in the birth of This & That WISCONSIN Store, a specialty store & gift shop focusing on Wisconsin-made products. These products included wine, beer, cheese, sausage, ice cream and other hand-made goods.  

Driven by their passion, in 2020, they undertook the ambitious task of restoring the property’s old dairy barn. This restoration aimed to provide the community with a historical venue ideal for weddings, reunions, craft shows, music events and other gatherings. Stratford Heritage Barn stands as a tribute to central Wisconsin’s rich heritage and the enduring legacy of local family history.