10 minute read
150-year legacy
BY MAGGIE MOLITOR | STAFF WRITER
St. Nicholas – From its origin as a subsistence farm in 1872, the Rausch family farm has had six generations of Rausches mark their legacy on the farm’s history. Each generation has tailored the farm to meet their family’s lifestyle and needs. The farm has adapted over time from a diverse homestead to a dairy farm and now a crop and hop farm.
As a testament to the farm’s ability to withstand the test of time, the Rausches are celebrating the 150-year
Rausch page 24
PHOTOS SUBMITTED Aerial views show some of the evolution of the Rausch family farm throughout the decades.
Built From the Ground Up.
40’ | 60’ SERIES 2 ULTRAPLANT
New Products Pr cts COMMANDLIFT HYDRAULICS F R E E S H I P P I N G !
New Reveal Row Cleaner
Electrical/Hydraulic Serviceability All service points are easily accessible on wings or front center section. H-I Central Seed Delivery (CSD) Dual 55 bu poly hoppers & 16 port plenum SUPERBULK option for approx 145 bu total
Model Pictured: PB6015S2 + Tracks + CSD
Optional Hydraulic WINGFORCE™ Adjustable in-field weight distribution Each wing is controlled independently
Auxiliary Mounting Bracket Conveniently mount alternator & row unit down force control
Computer integrated hydraulics In-cab sectional raise/lower control system Programmable in-field height & leveling
OnBoard Storage mounting plates. 300, 500, 750gal center storage options w/ CSD 200gal wing tanks available on 20" & 30" spacing Additional options, including dry storage, available
Vac fan control valve Vac Manual vac fan balancing from valve block Ma Optional in-cab control is available for fine-tune balancing Op O
Tracks Model | 16.5” | 20” | 22” | 25” Integrated hydraulic lift stepback used for inside-wing rows on some row spacings
Tire Model w/ Center MuckMasters High-flotation 380/55 R 22.5 tires Can upgrade to [445/50 R 22.5] SUPERMUCKS
Financing Options Available!
Furrow Force Closing System
*Limited Availability (fi rst come, fi rst serve!) Series 2 UltraPlant
The Next Generation Planter
it to their son, John, and his wife, Susanna, in 1874.
John and Susanna’s son, Michael, bought the farm in 1922 with his wife, Wilhelmina, creating the third generation. Michael and Wilhelmina farmed for 38 years before they sold it to their son, Michael, Clinton’s grandfather – the fourth generation.
Michael’s sister, Marie Rousselange, is the last living relative of the fourth generation of Rausches to grow up on the farm. In her time growing up there, she experienced major additions made to the farm, including the building of the barn and house in 1936, when she was just 7 years old.
“We didn’t have much growing up, but we had a good time,” Rousselange said.
Rousselange married and moved off the farm, and Michael took the farm over with his wife, Irene, in 1960.
Michael and Irene were the fi rst generation on the farm to establish themselves as dairy farmers, rather than subsistence farmers.
“We had 16 cows when we fi rst started out, which is a lot of cows for that time,” Irene said.
Throughout Michael and Irene’s ownership of the farm, they had not only expanded their herd size, but also grew their family. They had six children, including Dennis, Clinton’s dad.
“My dad was very particular about his cows,” Dennis said. “Nobody else could milk the cows. I milked the neighbor’s cows before I ever had the chance to milk any of Dad’s.”
Dennis had no intention of taking over the farm. He worked various jobs in his adult life before landing back on the home farm with his wife, Karen – the fi fth generation.
“At the time my dad wanted to sell because his knees were getting bad, I was working for Dairy Herd Improvement Association as a supervisor,” Dennis said. “I thought, ‘I’m putting in dairy hours anyway,’ so I asked my dad if he would mind letting us get a chance at it. He gave me a look like, ‘you would be interested?’”
However, Karen was not completely sold on the idea of her husband becoming a dairy farmer at fi rst.
“I grew up working on my family’s farm, so I knew what farming meant,” said Karen. “I did not want to be a farm wife at fi rst. I told Dennis that if we are going to do this, we are raising our kids to help out on the farm and we are going to actually let them help.”
Dennis and Karen took the farm over in 1988. Like the generations before them, the couple worked to retrofi t the dairy. Among the improvements they made were renovating the barn to fi t 52 stalls and purchasing a Quonset.
Dennis and Karen raised their four sons on the dairy. The family enjoyed working together and bringing out their competitive sides, whether it was in the milking barn or on the ball fi eld.
“There really is no better way to raise your kids,” Karen said. “The boys grew up knowing what hard work meant.”
PHOTO SUBMITTED Dennis Rausch, who would later become the fi fth-generation owner of the farm, picks rocks as a little boy. Dennis owned the farm from 1988 to 2004.
PHOTO BY MAGGIE MOLITOR
Rausch page 27
SB SERIES
This is, quite simply, the most advanced, best-built manure spreader you’re ever going to see. Now, do you need one this tough? Well, that all depends on how often you like to buy them.
MANURE ALLEY SCRAPERS
• Universal skid steer mount • Tube steel construction • 5’-10’ widths available • Replacement tires, back drags ad parts available lable
The Rausch Century Farm sign was awarded by the Stearns County Historical Society. This year, the Rausches are being recognized as a sesquicentennial farm.
All Aluminum/Stainless Steel Welding All Aluminum/Stainless Steel Welding and Metal Sales. and Metal Sales. We also provided Portable Welding We also provided Portable Welding
CAJuly16-1B-JO
VS420
Consistent and thorough ration with a variety of feedstuff s due to a proven mixer tub and g screw design.
M i n e n s o ta ’s Largest Feeding and Manure Handli n g D e a ler
SAVE TIME & MONEY!
BEDDING CHOPPER
SUPERCART SUPERCART
Sunshine & fun times Happy Summer!
We want to thank our farmers, milk haulers and employees for everything that you have done and continue to do for our country! www.Bongards.com www.Bongards.com
CAJuly16-1B-MS
Order Yours
today at HOLDINGFORD
20 minutes from Little Falls or St. Cloud on Cty. Rd. 17 320-746-2165
WARNING: Polaris® off road vehicles can be hazardous to operate and are not intended for on-road use. Driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license to operate. Passengers, if permitted, must be at least 12 years old. All riders should always wear helmets, eye protection, and protective clothing. Always use seat belts and cab nets or doors (as equipped). Never engage in stunt driving and avoid excessive speeds and sharp turns. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. All riders should take a safety training course. Call 800-342-3764 for additional information. Check local laws before riding on trails. ©2019 Polaris Industries Inc.
POLARIS.COM
www.jimssnowmobileandmarine.com
R-Series loaders from Bobcat.
0% Financing for up to 24 months*
With the introduction of R-Series – the next revolution in loaders – you’ll notice improvements from the moment you step inside the cab. It’s engineered to raise the bar in every way, delivering better productivity where it counts – on your jobsite.
or up to $1,600 USD*/$2,100 CAD* cash rebates in lieu of fi nancing on select loaders.
*Off er ends 09/30/2022. Available at participating and eligible dealers only. Off er may vary by product type, series, model and select units in dealer’s current inventory. Must take delivery from dealer stock by 09/30/2022. Off ers available on new equipment in US and Canada only. Some restrictions apply. Length of contract and rate may vary. Prior purchases not eligible. See dealer for details. Financing provided on approval of credit by authorized Bobcat fi nance providers to wellwhen you purchase a new Bobcat skid-steer loader, qualifi ed buyers. Administrative fees may apply. Off er not available compact track loader, all wheel-steer loader to government accounts, national accounts and municipal/utility bid or compact excavator from participating dealers. customers. Non-commercial customers may not be eligible for low rate fi nancing. Bobcat Company reserves the right to extend or discontinue any of these programs at any time without prior notice.
Dassel 888-679-4857 Long Prairie 866-514-0982
St. Cloud 844-262-2281 Willmar 877-484-3211
