Kali Herbst

Kali grew up on a horse farm and has been riding, driving, and training horses since childhood. Her passion for equine work began early, and by fifth grade, she was already volunteering at her first horse therapy center. Throughout her time in the military as a Medical Service Corps officer, she continued this passion by volunteering at multiple horse therapy programs across the country. 

Kali ultimately chose to leave her career as a military officer to focus on what matters most to her—educating the next generation, embracing the outdoors, and fostering a healthy, sustainable lifestyle. Since leaving the military, she has immersed herself in learning traditional skills such as foraging, butchery, canning, gardening, hunting, and fishing. Through dedication and hard work, she has brought the farm to a place where nearly all of their food is self-sustained.

Before founding Wild Horses, Kali earned a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Psychology and went on to complete a Master’s in Business Administration. She is currently a K-8 art teacher, where she finds joy in encouraging creativity, mindfulness, and hands-on learning. Through her work, she hopes to inspire children and families to reconnect with nature, develop practical skills, and cultivate a deeper appreciation for the world around them.

Carrie O'Connor

Carrie is an artist, fiber enthusiast, and early childhood educator with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Elementary Education. With nearly two decades of experience in child development and education, she brings a deep understanding of how children learn, grow, and express themselves.

She works in a variety of creative mediums, particularly paint and fiber art, and is passionate about creativity as a pathway to wellness, self-expression, and meaningful connection. Carrie believes in the value of child-led exploration and hands-on learning, where the process is celebrated as much as the final product.

At forest school, she helps nurture an environment where children feel confident, curious, and connected—supporting their growth as both creators and individuals.

Bittzy Hagen

Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, Bittzy worked in the ag industry, where she gained hands-on experience and a deep passion for livestock care. After high school, she served as a barn manager at Equity Livestock in northern Wisconsin, where she handled everything from tagging and weighing cattle to bottle-feeding calves and cleaning pens. While living in northern Wisconsin, she also did relief milking for local farmers, further developing her skills and love for animal care.

Though health complications led her to step away from barn work, Bittzy transitioned to an office role with a local transportation company in southern Wisconsin. Still, her heart remains with the farm. She has played a huge role in bringing Bella, our homestead cow, into our lives and is actively learning to train her first horse, Basil. Her passion for farming, animals, and sustainable living is an invaluable part of our team, and she’s excited to help us expand our homestead.

Steve Herbst

Steve earned his degree in Resource Management, Law Enforcement, and Soil Science from UW-Stevens Point. He owns Riverside Solar, providing residential and commercial solar solutions, and also serves as a Sales Manager for Eagle Point Solar in Dubuque.

A lifelong outdoorsman, Steve enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, and continuously finding new ways to integrate nature into everyday life. His recent ventures include maple syrup tapping and raising chickens, pigs, and turkeys. Dedicated to the well-being of both animals and children, he plays a vital role in maintaining the farm, ensuring it remains a safe, sustainable, and thriving environment for all.

Pat Herbst

​With over 42 years of experience as an agronomist, Pat brings a wealth of knowledge in soil science, crop care, and farm skills. Throughout his career, he’s helped countless farmers earn national awards for their crops, thanks to his expert guidance. Every year, Pat eagerly takes the lead in preparing our garden and overseeing the sweet corn patch, ensuring the best possible harvest.

Born and raised on this very farm, Pat’s connection to the land runs deep. His father farmed the same soil, and his mother and father would be filled with pride knowing that their land is still in use by family, continuing a legacy of teaching youth about agriculture and the outdoors—a cause they both would have wholeheartedly supported.