Matthew Moss, Kernot - April // 2025 Mental Health Calendar

While most 21-year-olds are busy making TikToks, living at home, and enjoying weekends out, Matt Moss and Emma Long are taking a different approach. This young couple runs a 300-cow dairy operation in Kernot under a 40% share farming arrangement, and growing their own herd equity. For Matt and Emma, hard work now means a brighter future later, and they’re all in. 

The two met at a GippsDairy event in 2022, instantly bonding over their shared dreams of making a mark in the dairy industry. Emma had started studying Occupational Therapy after high school, but after a short stint rearing calves, her heart was drawn to dairy farming, so she left uni and dove into farm life full-time. Shortly after having their baby in January 2024, Oakley, Emma was back to calving down and milking cows only two weeks postpartum. 

Being young, first-time parents in such a demanding role on a new farm has its challenges. Lucky for Matt & Emma, Oakley is a very good baby. Emma bundles him out of bed at 5am in a snowsuit, tucking him into the buggy, and heads out to milk the cows each morning rain, hail or shine! Living 45 minutes from Leongatha, her motherhood journey feels worlds apart from her friends’ in town, where getting to mother’s group isn’t so easy. Yet, despite the distance and the demands of dairy life, she’s found a rhythm and a deep love for what they do. Emma loves the business side of the farm and enjoys getting into the office, but is also very passionate about the herd and rearing calves.  

For Matt, the joys of farming are in seeing milk fill the vat, growing healthy grass, and achieving the best production per cow. “Some people open cafes. Some people start dairy farming. But everyone needs milk!” Matt reckons!  

At just 21 and 22, they’re the true definition of “having a crack”—working hard to build a dream for being able to enjoy life a bit more in years to come.