MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (7/14/2014)—Representing agricultural achievement in diverse farming operations, 74 families from throughout Minnesota are being honored as a 2014 Farm Family of the Year by the University of Minnesota.
The farm families will be recognized in ceremonies beginning at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 7, at the annual Minnesota Farmfest on the Gilfillan Estate near Redwood Falls. The event is in the Wick Buildings Farmfest Center on the estate grounds.
The farm families represent each county participating in the program. They were chosen by local University of Minnesota Extension committees based on their demonstrated commitment to enhancing and supporting agriculture.
“The farm families receiving this year’s honors exemplify what makes Minnesota agriculture strong. They bring innovation, science and hard work to farming. They care greatly about the land and animals and delivering quality products to consumers worldwide,” said Bev Durgan, dean of Extension. “The University of Minnesota takes great pride in honoring these families.”
A sampling of farmers and their contributions to agriculture follows, as does a complete list of 2014 Farm Families. More on Farmfest is available at www.ideaggroup.com/farmfest.
Beltrami County-Northern Light Farm
After many years of being sustainable farming advocates, Paul Conklin and Becky Marty finally decided to buy a farm of their own in 2000. They produce two acres of market vegetables distributed through a CSA and a farmer’s market. The couple also has a small herd of Highland cattle, honeybee hives and a free ranging flock of laying hens. Paul is a full-time farmer and Becky is a DNR regional ecologist; they have two children. They’re long-time members and supporters of the Minnesota Sustainable Farming Association, the Land Stewardship Project and the organic program of the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association.
Becker County-Nelsons- Barry, Jamie, Taytum, Kendra, and Macey
Barry’s grandfather emigrated from Sweden at the age of 16. When arriving in the United States, he settled in the Lake Park, MN area and began the Nelson family farm, growing barley, wheat, soybeans and hay. He and his wife had three sons. One of his sons, Barry’s father, took over the family farm and with his brothers, added dairy cows, pigs, sheep, and chickens to the crop farm. Today Barry farms in cooperation with his brother and his two sons. They grow wheat, soybeans, corn, and alfalfa using a variety of programs such as EQIP, Water and Sediment Control Basins, CCRP, CRP, Buffer-Filter Strips, and Back Forty Pheasant and Habitat. In addition, recently, Barry has put in a high tunnel for fresh produce, which his children love because they are able to sell the extra pumpkins for spending money. Barry and his wife Jamie have three children; Taytum (9), Kendra (6), and Macey (3).
Barry is a Becker County Commissioner and sits on numerous boards including the Becker County Extension Committee, Becker County Soil and Water, and the Advisory Boards for Cormorant Lakes Watershed and Buffalo/ Red Watershed. He also serves on the Association of Minnesota Counties Environment and Natural Resource Policy Committee. In past years he was also on the Audubon Co-op Board.
Clay County- Wesley
and Etta Mae Christensen
Wesley Christensen’s father, KW, began the Christensen family farm near Barnesville, MN. Wes, the only child in the family to continue the farming tradition, farmed with KW from 1974 to 2009. In 2009, KW passed away and since then Wes and Etta Mae have continued the farm. Today the couple grows wheat and soybeans. They are also potato brokers, which mean they buy and sell potatoes from October to May. Wesley and Etta Mae have no children; however, they have many nephews and great-nephews that help on the farm. Wesley’s brother-in-law also assists where he can.
Wesley and Etta Mae are members of Barnesville Potato Days. In fact, they were honored in 2003 to be the Grand Marshalls of the Potato Days parade. They are also members of the Barnesville Main Street Program as well as members of the Western Steam Threshers and square dance. In addition, they help out at the Clay County Fair and are involved with the American Legion Unit 153.
Norman County- Kevin
and Melanie Quick Family
The Quick Family Farm located near Borup, MN is a third generation farm. Over the years, the farm has transformed from a dairy, sunflower, and wheat operation to its current operation of corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and beef cattle. The Quicks also operate a custom corn chopping business. Kevin and Melanie have three children; Danika (18),Tyrel (14), and Katrina (10). Each child has their own cattle and helps on the farm when available.
Besides being a farmer’s wife, Melanie works as a registered nurse at Essential Health-Ada Hospital. In the community, the Quick family is involved in Norman County 4-H and Ada-Borup FFA. They are also members of MN Corn Growers and the US Custom Harvesters Association.
Otter Tail County- Gorentz Dairy
Gorentz Dairy is a fifth generation family farm that has been in the family since 1911. Steve and his father Edward farmed together until 1982, when Steve married Annette and the couple took over full time. Steve and Annette were blessed with four children; Jonathan, Joel, Nathan, and Andrew. In 2008 Jon and his wife Karen joined the family operation with their 17 head of Jersey cows. Today Gorentz Dairy has 180 dairy cows and 18 natural Angus beef cows. In addition to the livestock, they run more than 1000 acres of cropland, growing alfalfa, corn, soybeans, and oats. Gorentz Dairy employs one full time and two part time employees. On the farm, Steve, Annette, Jonathan, Karen, Joel, Nathan, Andrew, Steve’s sister Karen, and Annette’s brother Douglas all work together. Jon and Karen have two children who will someday be helpers on the farm; Jaden (4) and Kaylin (7 months).
The Gorentz family was active with 4-H and FFA. In addition, Steve has been involved with the Heart of the Lakes Barbershop Group, Annette has been active with LWML and Sunday school, and Jonathan has been treasurer of West Central Holstein Club, a church trustee, and a substitute Ag teacher. Jon’s wife Karen has been a volunteer for Ag-in-the-classroom, and involved with the East Otter Tail Ag Society, East Otter Tail Open Class Dairy, and LWML. Steve’s sister Karen is active with LWML and St. Paul’s Lutheran church and school.
Kandel Shares Skills with Ethiopian Farmers
Hans Kandel, NDSU Extension agronomist, traveled to Ethiopia from June 1 through June 18 to share his technical skills and expertise with farmers.
Kandel’s assignment was part of Catholic Relief Services’ Farmer-to-Farmer (FTF) program. The FTF program promotes economic growth, food security and agricultural development in East Africa. Kandel represented the NDSU Plant Sciences Department and NDSU Extension Service during his teaching assignment.
This is the first time Catholic Relief Services has been involved in the FTF program.
“Farmers were very receptive to my agronomy training,” Kandel says.
Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the five-year program matches the technical assistance of U.S. farmers, agribusinesses, cooperatives and universities to help farmers in developing countries improve agricultural productivity, access new markets and increase their incomes.
In Ethiopia, Kandel worked with nine subsistence farm groups, with more than 275 participants, during three-hour training sessions in each village. He also trained 17 development workers during a two-day training session.
The assignment area was near the town of Sodo in the southern part of Ethiopia. The area has a relatively high elevation at around 6,000 feet. The farmers grow teff, wheat, corn, dry beans and various root crops such as cassava.
A farm family may have access to only two to three acres of land to produce their food for the year. Besides crop production, most farmers have goats or other livestock. Most of the transportation is by donkey.
Kandel’s trip was one of nearly 500 trips by various experts during a five-year period that focuses on agriculture, food security and nutrition in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
U.S. experts will travel to East Africa for one to six weeks with expenses covered by USAID.