ountry C cres A
A Supplement to the Star Shopper
e l p sim way of life Focusing on Today’s Rural Environment
Friday, September 7, 2018 • Edition 12
A
Groshens first generation farmers on small dairy By KATELYN ASFELD | Staff Writer
PHOTO BY KATELYN ASFELD
Holding his son Andrew, Corey Groshens walks a calf to its pen Aug. 28 at Groshens Dairy near Grove City.
GROVE CITY – Corey and Michelle Groshens are an anomaly in the agriculture industry. The first-generation dairy farmers not only milk cows, but they live a simple, old-fashioned way of life. “We listen to old people and do what they did,” Corey said. The Groshens and their three children – Ben, 4, Aimee, 2, and Andrew, 4 months – milk 40 cows and grow corn, alfalfa, barley and soybeans on 197 acres near Grove City. Michelle works off the farm as an area technician for the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development in Willmar, while Corey works full time on the farm. The kids, Michelle said, are very active outside. “They hardly ever watch TV, even in the wintertime,” she said. “They really like being outside.
Aimee likes to hand Corey towels to wipe the cows’ teats off during milking time.” Corey agreed. “They like to follow me around when I’m doing chores,” he said. “There’s always somebody who wants to be out in the barn with me.” Corey began working on his neighbors’ farms when he was 15 years old. Although he did not grow up on a farm, he was familiar with the lifestyle and loved the work. “I like to stay busy and work outside,” he said. He was determined to one day have a farm of his own. He attended Ridgewater College in Willmar for dairy management to further pursue his goal of becoming a dairy farmer. His neighbors, Adolf and Eileen Olson, were older farmers who owned a piece of land nearby. The Olsons were Corey’s biggest mentors, offering him advice on farming and country living. “Whenever Adolf gave me advice, he’d say, ‘I won’t charge you for that,’” Corey said. The Olsons had a barn on their property that once housed dairy cows. Adolf, however, quit milking in 1978, and the barn sat empty for years. Adolf passed away in 1998 and Eileen lived on the
GROSHENS continued on page 4
Grandpa's farm Gerdes reflect on farming and family By DIANE LEUKAM Staff Writer
GLENWOOD – Paul Gerde stood on the hilltop overlooking a vast expanse of land south of Glenwood on the Glacial Ridge. Green pastures and trees cover the rolling countryside far into the distance, with the east branch of the Chippewa River meandering its way between the hills. Pointing east, Gerde explained the improvements he is making to his pasture lands in hopes of getting his cattle to help manage the shrubs and trees threatening to overtake the property. He is burying water lines and adding fencing and water tanks to create new paddocks which will keep the animals in specific areas. “My pasture goes out a mile from this road,” Gerde said. “I have the same problem as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the DNR. The trees are just growing like crazy.” Managing land is hard work, but something that is dear to Gerde’s heart, partly because he considers himself a conservationist, and partly because he and his wife, Bernie, live and work on Grandpa’s farm. Grandpa Peder Gerde officially settled on the farm on Christmas Eve, 1898, and later married Bertine.
“Grandpa was born in 1876,” said Paul who, at 61, is only the third generation on the farm. “My dad was born in 1902. He was 55 when I was born. He was 39 when he got married and Mother was 16 years younger.” Paul’s parents were Fred and Opal (Johnson) Gerde. Ironically, Bernie’s parents (Alfred and MaryAnn Nordaune) were also 16 years apart in age. The couple sat at their table Aug. 27 to reflect on their family backgrounds, raising kids and cattle, sometimes bringing humor into the conversation as they made connections between the two. One story was an animated recounting of the birth of their daughter, Petra, who was born the night before Thanksgiving. A quick tutorial on how to do the chores was given to Paul’s brother, Jim, followed by a mad dash to the hospital that included nearly running out of gas and fighting the holiday traffic. They made it to the hospital just barely in time to deliver a healthy ninepound, five-ounce baby girl. Petra was the smallest of their three children, who also include two sons, Peder and John. Paul’s siblings were big when they were born as well. “Of the five kids in my family, four of us were over 10 pounds,” Paul said. “There are a lot of big babies.” Petra is carrying on the tradition with her third child, Silas, weighing 11 pounds, 4 ounces. From talk of babies, the conversation
PHOTO BY DIANE LEUKAM
Paul Gerde checks his Charolais cattle on pasture Aug. 27 on the Glacial Ridge south of Glenwood.
flowed naturally into another form of life, the Charolais cattle they have raised since they sold their dairy herd a first time in 1975. At the time, their neighbor was getting out of the dairy business and he was breeding his Brown Swiss cows to Charolais. “And they really grew,” Paul said. “It’s tough to beat white cattle on green grass.” Jim located a group of Charolais heifers in North Dakota and the two went together to purchase them. “In the 70s and 80s they were advertising [Charolais] as genetically bred for
leaner beef and marketed as more pounds of gain for the feed you are putting into them,” Paul said. “Those were good selling points.” As a cattleman, first in dairy and then beef, Paul has had the cows bred for calving ease, though being careful to stay on the average side. “If I have trouble with calving, it’s because there is something wrong,” he said. “They shouldn’t be having trouble calving with a normal delivery.”
GERDE continued on page 7
Page 2 • Country Acres - Friday, September 7, 2018
Country Acres Published by Star Publications Copyright 2014 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave. Sauk Centre, MN 56378 Phone: 320-352-6577 Fax: 320-352-5647 NEWS STAFF Diane Leukam, Editor diane@saukherald.com Mark Klaphake, Assistant Editor mark.k@dairystar.com Herman Lensing, Writer herman@melrosebeacon.com Liz Vos, Writer liz@albanyenterprise.com Laura Hintzen, Writer laura.h@saukherald.com Katelyn Asfeld, Writer kate@saukherald.com Carol Moorman, Writer carol@melrosebeacon.com
This month in the
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6 All in the family Diane Leukam Column 10 Garden Therapy Paynesville 14 Memories at Foslien’s Woodside Farm Garfield 16 Country Cooking 18 Princess Kay of the Milky Way
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Page 4 • Country Acres - Friday, September 7, 2018 GROSHENS continued from front chickens, into a calf-raising facility and a hog barn into a chicken coop. “I wouldn’t be farming if it were not for the Olson family,” he said. At the time, Corey lived a mile from the Olsons. Michelle grew up on a dairy farm near Edgerton. She received a bachelor’s degree in dairy production from South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D. At the time she met Corey, she
Ben (back) and Aimee Groshens push feed up to the cows at Groshens Dairy Aug. 28 near Grove City.
was working for Form-AFeed in dairy nutrition in Stewart. “My co-worker wanted me to come along to a dairy farm,” Michelle said. “That’s where I met Corey.” When Eileen moved into an assisted living complex, the 1963 farmhouse was empty, but not for long. In a couple months, it was filled with life once more. Corey and Michelle moved onto the farm in 2013 and held their wedding there. “It was a laid-back, small wedding with just our families,” Michelle said. A distinct characteristic of the farm is the large flower garden in the front yard, which has been there since the farm was established. “The garden is part of the farm, everybody knows about it,” Corey said. Michelle agreed. “There are older couples who drive out and ask if they can look at the flowers,” she said. Flowers in the garden include four o’clocks, gladiolus, calla lilies, dahlias and zinnias, which the Groshens cut and sell to a floral shop in Atwater. They dig up the bulbs every fall and replant them
PHOTOS BY KATELYN ASFELD
The Groshens family poses for a photo in front of their flower garden Aug. 28 near Grove City. Corey (back) holds their 4-month-old son, Andrew. Their daughter, Aimee, 2, sits on Michelle’s lap while Ben, 4, sits in front of his father. The Groshens operate a 40-head dairy farm.
in the spring. “We have a whole hay rack full of bulbs after we’ve dug them out,” Corey said. “It’s a lot of work.” Their garden also contains a variety of vegetables, including carrots, peppers, broccoli, zucchini, tomatoes, pumpkins, beans, squash and potatoes, to name a few. The produce from the garden is canned and stored in the root cellar. Produce such as carrots, onions and
GROSHENS continued on page 5
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farm by herself until the end of 2012. Knowing Corey’s passion for farming, Adolf’s daughter, Loretta Holmgren, told Corey that if he wanted, he could fix up the barn and milk cows in it. At the time, Corey was milking cows for a local dairy farm. Corey accepted the offer. In 2007, he turned the barn into a 40-head tiestall barn and began milking a herd of 40 Holsteins. He also converted a barn, which once housed
Page 8 • Country Acres - Friday, September 7, 2018 GERDE continued from page 7
Being raised near San Diego until the eighth grade, Bernie sees a real difference in the love her husband and children have for animals versus her own feelings. She is not nearly as attached to them. “You can tell these kids were raised on the farm,” she said. “Their love for animals is just like his – deep. And they love the farm. There isn’t one of our kids that doesn’t love the farm.” Bernie has worked off the farm throughout their marriage, but helps out when and where she can, downplaying her role, other than with the kids showing their animals. “If I have to hold a gate or drive a tractor to do whatever, maybe to do square bales [I will],” she said. “I’ve gotten started doing a little bit of tillage
– I stress a ‘little bit!’” Every “little bit” is welcomed by Paul. “If she gets bored she can come out here and I’ll put her to work,” he said, smiling. These days, the Gerdes have their eyes on the next generation of family. Peder and his wife, Nicholle, live a half mile north of the farm where he works with his uncle, Jim. Their children are Ethan, 14, Adalynn, 3, and Indy is 1 month old. Petra lives a half mile south with her husband, Nathan Steinhofer and their children, Tenley, 7, Bianca, 5, and Silas, 3. Another child is due in October. John lives in Willmar and works for Jennie-O and works as a brand manager.
GERDE continued on page 8
PHOTO BY DIANE LEUKAM
The east branch of the Chippewa River runs through this pastureland Aug. 27 south of Glenwood.
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Friday, September 7, 2018 - Country Acres • Page 11 ERICKSON continued from page 10
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from hostas and daylilies to hydrangeas, coral bells, astilbe, bleeding hearts, mums and asters. Rita pointed to an area where in the spring, over a thousand tulip bulbs bloom, along with daffodils and scilla. There are some 200-plus varieties of daylilies. But, they all take a back seat to the main plant love for Rita: hostas. In the mid-1990s, Jim and Rita drove around looking in all the nurseries, and buying as many new and different hostas as they could find. Then in 2010, there was another memorable, tough time for them. They lost a dog they had gotten when Rita’s son died, and it was during that time they met a woman in Northern Minnesota who shared a love for the plants. “She was also a hosta person,” Rita said. “We discovered this place and I bought 50 hostas at a time.” Or, maybe more. “We bought 25 one day, then 50 the next,” Jim countered. It was then the gardens really began to increase in size. And since then, Rita has amassed a collection of nearly 850 varieties of hostas. “I gave up on know-
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Rita Erickson and her dog, Sofi, rest under a shelter fashioned from an outdated satellite dish.
ing the name of each one,” Rita said. “At about 250, I knew each one and where they were. I keep a master list of them and where they originally started and try to amend it all the time.” There are now over 13,000 varieties of hostas in the world, with hundreds of new ones being developed and introduced each year. The Ericksons
do not develop new hosta varieties, but the process is intriguing to Jim. “With the computer, they can just enter the DNA from that plant, like they did with Patriot,” Jim said. Patriot is a large cultivar that was the American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year in 1997, and a widely-recognized plant.
The leaves have green edges and a white center. “They [the growers] would ask, ‘What do we have to do to reverse it?’” Jim said. “In about five minutes, the computer kicked it out, and said ‘cross this and this.’ The green went to the outside and the white went to the middle. Same size, same everything, only it was just
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Page 12 • Country Acres - Friday, September 7, 2018 ERICKSON continued from page 11 reversed.” The result was a new hosta called “Reverse Patriot.” Jim and Rita learn about many of the varieties in what may be their favorite books, the first and second editions of “Hostapedia” by Mark Zilis. In them, Zilis outlines the details of thousands of varieties. Each of those hostas has a name, which to many people, can be its selling point. “That’s one of the reasons you buy hostas,” Rita said. “People do different gardens by name, [like] angel gardens.” Of all the varieties, the top three for Rita are Guardian Angel, June and Praying Hands, each of which have numerous spin-offs. “[I like the whole] June family, because it looks so different in all the different lights that you put it in,” Rita said. Designing the gardens is not a scientific endeavor for Rita, though she tries to arrange plants to best set them off, often having gold varieties on the edges of the beds for a pop of col-
or. She calls it a “by guess and by golly” situation, and it is always a work in progress. Sometimes there is extra work, like in the springtime this year, when she lost some plants and had to rearrange flower gardens. “This plant and that one there, last year were huge,” she said, pointing to an area she had worked on. “I moved them out and divided an astilbe and moved it here. That’s how gardening happens.” For quiet moments, the couple can relax in the shade on a swing with a cover they created using an old satellite dish, complete with vines on top and a swing below. They also created a creek with fieldstone, and there are numerous items decorating the gardens, providing additional interest and color. Each day, Rita works many hours in her gardens, with her little dog, Sofi, at her side. In the spring, she works from morning to night. During the summer, she spends several hours in the morning deadhead-
PHOTOS BY DIANE LEUKAM
(above) Small hosta grow in raised beds that were formerly vegetable gardens. (right) This American flag holds a special place in the gardens at Jim and Rita Erickson’s home near Paynesville.
ERICKSON continued on page 13
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Page 14 • Country Acres - Friday, September 7, 2018
Memories at Foslien's Woodside Farm
Father, son work on ancestral property By LAURA HINTZEN Staff Writer GARFIELD - Frank Foslien III sits next to his kitchen table, flipping page by page through his family’s history book that spans generations. Beginning with his ancestors who emigrated from Fosslia, Norway in 1843, the book outlines the family’s travels, stories of hardships and accomplishments, genealogy and significant events that shaped what the Foslien family is today. The book was given to him from cousins Floyd Foslien and Charles E. Foslien, who were interested in compiling the information. The Fosliens’ 300-acre beef farm in Garfield has been in the family for 150 years. When Susan and Frank Foslien moved to the farm
in 1982, they had a herd of cattle and also raised corn. “My wife got sick 12 years ago, so we changed our focus to strictly grain, harvesting wheat and soybeans,” Frank said. “I wanted to spend as much time with her as I could.” Frank’s son, Darren, 32, will be the fifth generation of the family to farm the land next spring. “I plan to retire at that time,” Frank said. Darren lived in Texas for 10 years, but when his mom got sick he wanted to be home, too. Susan passed away this spring which was tough on the Fosliens. “I’m currently just farming the 300 acres,” Darren said. “Additionally, we rent 700 acres to surrounding areas, which my dad takes care of, so I will be in charge of that in the spring as well.” “It’s something we’ve
PHOTO BY LAURAN HINTZEN
Darren Foslien (left), and his father, Frank Fosslien III, stand in front of a log house built by Paul Foslien, Frank’s grandfather, in 1869 on Foslien’s Woodside Farm in Garfield.
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Friday, September 7, 2018 - Country Acres • Page 15 FOSLIEN continued from page 14 Ragne, took from New York to their destination in Wisconsin,” Frank said. Fingarsen and Paulsdatter farmed near Jefferson Prairie in Rock County, Wisc. for 25 years and raised a family there. Knut Stenersdatter, son of Mari Stenersdatter, married Anna Kittelson in Buskerud, Norway in 1848. They emigrated to America where they bore their first child in Wisconsin on Sept. 3, 1850. Knut died in Wisconsin in 1879 and Anna moved with her children in 1884 to Alexandria. In 1868, Ragne and the rest of the children came in a wagon train with several other families. Paul Foslien, who was the second oldest son, was in charge of the Foslien wagon during the trip. According to the stories that have been passed down through generations, seven families in covered wagons pulled by oxen came on this trip, which took nearly six weeks. In 1868, his grandfather, Paul Foslien, purchased the property and one year later, he built a
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log house on Foslien’s Woodside Farm with the help from his father and brothers. The logs for the house were cut and hand-hewn on the farm by Paul E. Foslien, with the help of his brothers in 1870. This was home to Paul and his wife, Gurina (Winkjer) and then
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Page 16 • Country Acres - Friday, September 7, 2018
COUNTRY COOKING
Corn Casserole • 1 stick butter • 1 cup sour cream • 1 can whole kernel corn, drained • 2 eggs, beaten • 1 can creamed corn • 1 package Jiffy corn muffin mix Melt butter in soufflé dish or round Pyrex casserole dish with lid. Add remaining ingredients in order given. Mix only until muffin mix is dampened. Put dish in pan of water. Bake covered for 1 hour and 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Serves 8.
Recipes Submitted by
Italian Sausage Bake • • • • • •
1 pound pork sausage • 1 1/2 cups milk 1 pound Italian sausage • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1 medium green pepper, chopped • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese 2 cups onion, chopped • 1 cup garlic croutons 8 large eggs Brown pork sausage, Italian sausage, green pepper, mushrooms and 1/2 cup of onion. Drain fat. In a greased 9x13-inch pan, layer with 1 1/2 cups onion and garlic croutons, then sausage mixture. Beat eight eggs with 1 1/2 cups milk. Pour over sausage. Cover and chill for eight hours or overnight. Remove from refrigerator and let stand for 30 minutes before baking. Bake uncovered for one hour at 300 degrees. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese. Put back in oven until cheese is melted. Remove from oven. Let stand for five minutes before serving.
BARB LIEDMAN Kimball Stearns County Broccoli Fruit Salad • • • • • •
3 stalks broccoli florets • 1/4 pound almonds, sliced and 1/2 cup green onions, chopped toasted 1 cup celery, chopped Dressing: 1 cup or more of seedless red grapes • 1 cup mayonnaise 1 cup golden raisins • 1/3 cup sugar 1 pound crispy bacon, diced • 1 Tbsp. vinegar
Beer cheese soup Baked Beans and Hamburger
• • • •
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• 6 slices of bacon, fried, drained and • 1/2 cup molasses diced • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 1 pound of hamburger • 1 Tbsp. vinegar • 1 large onion, chopped • 2 19-ounce cans of baked beans • 1/2 cup ketchup Fry, drain and dice bacon. In separate pan, brown hamburger and sauté onion. Add ketchup, molasses, Worcestershire sauce and vinegar. Mix all ingredients in a casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or add to a crock pot and heat to bubbling.
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Friday, September 7, 2018 - Country Acres • Page 17 FOSLIEN continued from page 15 to their descendants for 100 years. The original logs finished for the house were left too close to a brush fire one evening. The next morning, they found the logs had burned up and they had to start over. The kitchen wing, which was on the right side of the building is now gone. The building was originally a one-story wood shed, but as Paul and Gurina’s family grew, a second story was added as a girls bedroom. A summer kitchen was built to the right of the house and was connected by a breezeway. “The log house used to be next to where I live now,
but my dad and grandpa rolled it down to the lake by tractor in 1996.” After Paul Foslein left the farm in 1920, Frank O. Foslien lived there until 1935. “My uncle took over the place that year and lived there until 1949,” Frank said. “Then my dad, Frank W., moved back and bought the farm before I was here.” One distinct memory for Frank was witnessing the watering tank and electrical cord create fire in the old barn Christmas day of 1989, causing it to burn down. “When I got up Christmas morning to do chores, I smelled smoke,” he said.
“Part of the barn was already blazing pretty good. The watering tank and electrical cord got intertwined somehow and started up in flames. I ran in the house and Susan called 911. We were able to get our cattle out, but lost about 50 head of sheep.” Every year, the Fosliens look forward to their Foslien family reunion in July. “It’s a time to get everyone together once a year,” Frank said. “Next year will be a big party, as we will celebrate the log house being 150 years old.”
PHOTOS BY LAURAN HINTZEN
The log home remains untouched, but the Fosliens are able to host family members there when reunions take place.
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Page 18 • Country Acres - Friday, September 7, 2018
Minnesota dairy community crowns 65th Princess Kay of the Milky Way
ST. PAUL – Rebek- Meeker County, Ashley ka Paskewitz, a 20-year- Maus of Freeport, repreold college student from senting Stearns County Browerville represent- and Julia Mullenbach of ing Todd County, was Rose Creek, representcrowned the 65th Princess ing Mower County were Kay of the Milky Way in named scholarship winan evening ceremony Aug. ners. Lindquist was also 22 at the Minnesota State named Miss Congeniality. Throughout her yearFairgrounds. Paskewitz will serve long reign as Princess Kay as the official goodwill of the Milky Way, Paskeambassador for nearly witz will make public ap3,000 Minnesota dairy pearances to help connect farm families. She is the consumers to Minnesota’s daughter of Alan and Vicki dairy farm families. She Paskewitz, and attends the will work to bring dairy South Dakota State Uni- to life through conversaversity where she is pursu- tions, classroom visits and ing a degree in agricultural various speaking engagements. education. PaskeTwelve witz’s first c o u n t y official dairy prinduty as cesses from Princess throughout Kay was Minnesota to sit in a competrotating ed for the cooler in Princess the dairy Kay of the building Milky Way for nearly title. Blaize six hours Dankers of to have her Plainview, likeness representsculpted in ing Wabaa 90-pound sha County, Rebekka Paskewitz block of and Korissa Lindquist of Kerkhoven, butter on Aug. 23, the representing Kandiyohi opening day of the MinCounty, were selected as nesota State Fair. This year marked butter sculprunners-up. Katherine Gathje of tor Linda Christensen’s Richmond, representing 47th year carving the Prin-
PHOTOS BY MATT ADDINGTON
Rebekka Paskewitz, 20, of Browerville and representing Todd County, was crowned the 65th Princess Kay of the Milky Way in an evening ceremony Aug. 22 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Paskewitz will serve as the official goodwill ambassador for nearly 3,000 Minnesota dairy farm families. She is the daughter of Alan and Vicki Paskewitz and attends the South Dakota State University, where she is pursuing a degree in agricultural education.
cess Kay of the Milky Way winner and finalists at the Minnesota State Fair. Throughout the fair, Princess Kay and the other finalists made appearances near the Butter Sculpture Booth in the dairy building, at the Moo Booth in the dairy barn and onstage at the Miracle of Birth Center. Princess Kay’s Facebook page (facebook.com/prin-
cesskayofthemilkyway) provided daily updates and photos of each completed butter sculpture. Princess Kay candidates were judged on their general knowledge of the dairy industry, communication skills and enthusiasm for dairy. Midwest Dairy sponsors the Princess Kay program, which is funded by dairy farmers
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Davis Motors is proud to announce that they have expanded and now own Davis Motorsports in Delano, MN as well as a car dealership in Litchfield. John Davis purchased Delano Chevrolet from Pohlad Carousel Group and opened May 1, 2018. He also owns Davis Chev Buick GMC of Litchfield. Davis bought Litchfield Chev, Buick, GMC from Chuck Fenton, whose father and grandfather owned the dealership for 75 years. The Davis family has been operating the Litchfield dealership for 10 years, since June 1, 2008.
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John Davis purchased Odegard Motors, a Chev, Buick, Pontiac and Oldsmobile dealership in December of 1994. John and his wife, Loree, raised their family in Ramsey, MN. Their three children, Chad, Craig and Cara, graduated from Anoka High School. The Davis family is excited about the opportunities and responsibilities that owning dealerships in communities like Delano and Litchfield bring with it. Stop out and visit the staff at Davis Motors. John and his sons, Chad and Craig, are excited about the opportunity to get to know you. CA_Sept 7_1B_LO
Friday, September 7, 2018 - Country Acres • Page 19
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Page 2B • Country Acres - Farm Families of the Year - Friday, September 7, 2018
Douglas County Berry Ridge Farm Minnesota Farm Family of the Year - 2018 Ann and Ron Branch grew up on family farms in Minnesota. Ann was an active 4-H member and Ron was honored as an FFA District Star Farmer and served as state FFA vice president. The couple met at the University of Minnesota where Ann earned a degree in home economics education and Ron in agriculture. Ann and Ron purchased the land for their farm in 1984 and built a house a year later. They started selling produce in 1988. In 1992, the Branches pioneered the use of high tunnels in the farm’s specialty crop operation and now the family has six high tunnels to maximize production on their 11-acre farm. The Branches’ sons, Carl and Eric, began working on the farm when they were young. At age 10 the boys used a Farm Service Agency Youth Loan to build their own high tunnel. Carl is enrolled at the University of Minnesota. Eric graduated from the U of M this spring and begins a graduate program in plant pathology at Cornell this fall. The Branch family raises a wide variety of produce including strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, green beans, beets and cut flowers. Over the years, Berry Ridge Farm has hosted University of Minnesota on-farm research. Ron has served as president of the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and is involved with other organizations that include the Douglas County Farm Bureau and Douglas County Master Gardeners, and he helped organize the Minnesota Farmers Market Association. Ann helps at their local farmers market with demonstrations promoting the fresh produce sold by vendors.
PHOTO BY DIANE LEUKAM
Ann and Ron Branch have been selling produce since 1988 on Berry Ridge Farm in Garfield. Ann has a degree in home economics education and Ron a degree in agriculture.
Ann and Ron Branch display a day’s worth of fresh fruits and vegetables. Tomatoes were their most successful crop this year.
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Ann and Ron Branch grow peppers and many other crops at Berry Ridge Farm in Garfield.
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Friday, September 7, 2018 - Farm Families of the Year - Country Acres • Page 3B
Kandiyohi County Pierce Family Farms Minnesota Farm Family of the Year - 2018
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
The Pierce families were recognized as 2018 Farm Family of the Year for Kandiyohi County at Farmfest Aug. 9 in Redwood Falls. Pictured are (front, from left): Avery, Maverick, Kyana, Kylie, Nicole, Darin and Sharon; Middle: Lynsey holding her daughter, Kara, Kristen, Krista, Diane and Trevor Ames, Dean of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine; Back: Joseph holding his son, Ryson, Jeremy, David holding his daughter, Isabelle, Ronald, Howard and Brian Buhr, Dean of the University of Minnesota College of Food and Natural Resource Sciences.
Jeremy Pierce stands in the shop Aug. 30 at Pierce Family Farms near Pennock. The family is prepping machinery for the fall fieldwork.
Darin Pierce inspects the blades of a ditch mower.
The Pierce farm started in 1873 near Belgrade in central Minnesota by the greatgrandfather of brothers Howard and Ronald Pierce. In 1959, the brothers’ parents, Orvall and Leona Pierce, moved from the Belgrade area to the farm’s current location in northwestern Kandiyohi County. Eventually, Howard and Ronald took over the farm with four of their sons, Jeremy, Darin, David and Joseph. The Pierce families raise corn, soybeans, and sugar beets in Kandiyohi and Stearns Counties. They also raise a few head of beef cattle. Howard and his wife, Sharon, have four children: Darin, Derek, Joseph and Katelyn. Darin and his wife, Nicole, have two daughters: Kylie and Kyana. Joseph and his wife, Lynsey, have two children: Kara and Ryson. Ronald and Diane Pierce have four children as well: Jeremy, Cheryl, David and Stephanie. David and his wife, Krista, have three children: Avery, Maverick and Isabelle. Howard Pierce has been on the Arctander Town Board for over 30 years and was a member of the Kandiyohi Corn Growers Association. Darin and Joseph serve on the Sunburg Fire Department and Rescue Squad. Jeremy is a director for the Belgrade Cooperative. Ronald is a past director with the Belgrade Co-op and is active in the Knights of Columbus. All the Pierce family members have been involved in FFA and their local churches.
Howard Pierce grinds a piece of metal on a grain trailer landing gear that needs repair.
David Pierce welds a metal ladder for a grain bin.
320-599-4466
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Belgrade Co-op Association 320-254-8231 or 1-800-352-3389
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Page 4B • Country Acres - Farm Families of the Year - Friday, September 7, 2018
Meeker County Amcrest Farms Minnesota Farm Family of the Year - 2018 The Amdahl farm has been in the family since 1892 and has been recognized as a Century Farm. Don Amdahl is a thirdgeneration farmer; his son, Darren, is the fourth generation; and his son, Jaden, is the fifth generation of Amdahls on the land. The Amdahls’ operation had been a registered Holstein dairy and crop farm until 2003, when they chose to retire from milking cows and concentrate on crop farming. The family raises corn, soybeans and wheat. They also raise 70 head of Black Angus beef cattle. Don Amdahl is still active on the farm, but plans to retire soon. Don’s wife, Sandy, was the parts runner for the operation and Darren’s wife, Jen, has now taken over the job. Darren oversees the day-to-day operation of the farm. Jaden recently graduated from South Dakota State University with a degree in agriculture science and is returning to the family farm to begin his farming career. Darren and Jen’s other children, Ryan and Ashlyn, help with various chores around the farm. The Amdahls are members of the Minnesota Corn and Soybean Growers Associations. Don served on the Atwater Creamery Board and the board of United FCS. Darren is currently the vice president of Central Counties Co-op Board and has served on the Meeker County Extension Committee. The family is very involved in Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Atwater, where Darren is currently council chair. Don and Sandy are active supporters of Atwater Help for Seniors and Don delivers Meals on Wheels.
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
The Amdahl family of Amcrest Farms is the Meeker County Farm Family of the Year. Pictured are (front, from left): Jen, Ashlyn and Sandy Amdahl; Back: Jaden, Darren, Ryan and Don Amdahl.
Don, Jaden, Darren and Ryan Amdahl are pictured in 2016 on their farm near Atwater.
The Amdahls’ operation, Amcrest Farms, is located near Atwater.
Congratulations to the Pope and Meeker County family of the year!
Darren (left) and Jaden Amdahl prepare for planting season in March.
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Friday, September 7, 2018 - Farm Families of the Year - Country Acres • Page 5B
Pope County John and Joanne Reed Family Minnesota Farm Family of the Year - 2018
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
The Reed family of Bar J Ranch of Brooten is the Pope County Farm Family of the Year. Pictured are (from left): Jake, Hudson, ‘ Ellie, Jamison, Tori, Joanne and John Reed. Dawnte,
Cattle graze at Bar J Ranch.
The Bar J Ranch sign welcomes visitors the Reeds’ operation.
Jake Reed is part owner of Bar J Ranch of Brooten.
John and Joanne Reed moved to Pope County in 1976 to manage a purebred Angus herd. In 1980, the couple purchased 320 acres to start their own operation, Bar J Ranch. The couple built a home in 1982 and over the years added outbuildings and cattle facilities. The Reeds developed a rotational grazing system on their ranch and added a K-line irrigation system on 80 acres that contain 22 paddocks. Bar J Ranch is currently home to a herd of 270 Angus and Aberdeen cattle and 1,000 acres of owned and rented land. The first Aberdeen cattle in the United States were born on the Reeds’ ranch in 1997. The Reeds’ son, Jake, is part owner of the ranch and very active in its operation. He also works for Purina Animal Nutrition. Jake’s four children participate in 4-H and help around the ranch. The Reeds’ other son, Josh, was involved in 4-H growing up and spent time working on the ranch. Today, Josh owns Goat Ridge Brewery and Tap Room in New London. The Reeds’ daughter, Jana, was active in 4-H growing up and also helped with ranch work. She and her family now live in Lima, Peru. John is a past member of the Minnesota Jaycees, served as a 4-H leader, county fair livestock superintendent, longtime county fair 4-H auctioneer and has devoted a great deal of time to the Angus and Aberdeen cattle breed associations. In 2017, John was inducted into the Minnesota Livestock Breeder Association Hall of Fame. Joanne worked in public schools for 36 years. She worked for the Belgrade-Elrosa Schools as a speech pathologist, community education director and special education coordinator.
PHOTO BY MISSY MUSSMAN
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Belgrade Co-op Association 320-254-8231 or 1-800-352-3389
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Friday, September 7, 2018 - Farm Families of the Year - Country Acres • Page 7B
Todd County Stelling Land and Cattle Inc. Minnesota Farm Family of the Year - 2018
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Tim Stelling (from left), Payton Hlatky and Linda, Nathan and Eric Stelling operate Stelling Land and Cattle near Osakis.
Beef cattle are raised in a dairy freestall barn that has been converted for their needs.
Nathan (left) and Eric Stelling stand by some of the equipment used in their custom harvesting business.
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Freestalls have been removed from a dairy facility that now houses beef cattle.
Congratulations to the Pope and Meeker County family of the year! 888.330.8482 | mycmcu.org |
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Tim and Linda purchased their farm in 1990. At the time, Tim worked as a district sales manager for Alta Genetics in addition to his work as a dairy farmer milking 45 cows. Linda and two of the couple’s children, Stacy and Nathan, helped run the dairy. In 1996, the Stellings added more cows and their son, Eric, joined the farming operation. The next year the family built their first freestall barn. After graduation from diesel mechanics training, Nathan joined the operation. In 1999, the Stellings built a double-8 parallel parlor and the following year a second freestall barn. Today, the Stelling Land and Cattle business includes 1,500 acres of corn, soybeans and hay. The family feeds 600 head of fat cattle. They also offer custom chopping for local farmers. This past April the family’s dairy herd was sold and 40 beef cow-calf pairs were added. Tim and Nathan are both directors for the Todd County Corn and Soybean Growers Association and serve on their church council. Tim is also a director for Minnesota Soybean and a past director on the Minnesota Holstein Association Board. Nathan is a member of the West Union Township Board. Eric is a representative with Gold Country Seed. Linda is a member of the choir at Sauk Valley Lutheran Church.
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Page 8B • Country Acres - Farm Families of the Year - Friday, September 7, 2018
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