THE LAND — OCTOBER 29/NOVEMBER 5, 2021
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
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Zurn has dedicated her life to family and farm advocacy By KRISTIN KVENO The Land Staff Writer Karolyn Zurn’s passion for agriculture runs deep. She may not have grown up on a farm, but once she got a taste of the farm life she was hooked. Whether it’s spending time in the tractor or traveling to Karolyn Zurn Washington D.C. for ag policy and leadership opportunities, Zurn never stops advocating for agriculture. Zurn lived in Ogema, Minn. the first few years of her life. “When I was three my parents moved out to California.” It was the gold rush for aerospace and her dad went out west to find career opportunities. When Zurn was 20 she visited relatives back in Minnesota. It was then when she met her husband, Bill. They soon married and began farming together in the Callaway area. “I always hated the term farm wife. I drove combine, tractor, I loved working in the field.” Zurn and Bill raised five children. In addition to the work on the farm, Zurn was a hairdresser when the kids were young. She also volunteered with 4-H and FFA. After the youngest daughter was born in 1985, Zurn went back to college. After graduating with a degree in marketing, Zurn worked for a variety of different foodservice companies, she retired from Proctor Gamble. After retirement, Zurn became focused on her talents to be an effective voice for agriculture and became involved in a multitude of ag organizations. “I never liked to be appointed just because I’m a woman.” She searched out opportunities in ag that allowed her to utilize her skills in advocacy. Zurn has lent her time and abilities to so many agrelated organizations, one of those is Common Ground North Dakota. According to their website, “Common Ground, North Dakota is focused on starting a conversation between farmers who grow food and the people who buy it.” Zurn was involved for four years. “I got to sit in on the planning on how they were going to start common ground. She serves on the University of Minnesota Crookston Campus Advisory and Advancement Board. The role of the board is to strengthen the connection to the college and the region. She is also on the Northern Crops Institute council in a six-year term. She is currently the president of American AgriWomen, which deems itself as the largest group of agribusiness, farm and ranch women whose mission is to promote agriculture. Her time as president ends in November after that Zurn plans to focus on fundraising as that’s an important part of the AAW past president’s role. Zurn has 13 grandkids. When she travels to Washington D.C., she tries to take at least one grandchild with her as there’s so much there to learn and
she wants to allow her grandchildren to experience first-hand ag-advocacy in our nation’s capital. Zurn farms with her husband and two sons Eric and Nick and their families. They raise wheat, corn soybeans and alfalfa. She believes that her experience on the farm differs from her husband. “We have a different view of the farm.” Each partner is important in the success of the farm and having those voices heard is vital.
Zurn has felt a calling to step up and be a part of the ag leadership providing the opportunity to lend her enthusiasm for agriculture to these organizations that are crucial to her. “I don’t know if there were as many women being heard.” Zurn’s leadership has been integral in so many organizations, giving voice to vital issues. “My advocacy will help my sons keep farming.” v
Calendar of Events Visit www.TheLandOnline.com to view our complete calendar & enter your own events, or send an e-mail with your event’s details to editor@thelandonline.com. Nov. 9 — Taking Charge of Your Finances: How to Survive and Thrive — Melrose, Minn. — Participants will learn how to organize and use financial records; develop and analyze financial statements; and make informed decisions regarding finances and production. A case study farm will be used to help practice interactions with lenders. Contact Dana Adams at adam1744@umn.edu or (320) 204-2968. Nov. 10 — Taking Charge of Your Finances: How to Survive and Thrive — Little Falls, Minn. — Contact Dana Adams at adam1744@umn.edu or (320) 204-2968. Nov. 10 — Agricultural Market Situation and Outlook Webinar — Online — Hear from North Dakota State University Extension economics specialists on a variety of timely issues related to agricultural markets. Contact david.ripplinger@ndsu.edu. Nov. 11 — Cover Crop Field Day — Nashua, Iowa — Event will focus on new research examining the potential for using perennial ground cover like Kentucky bluegrass as well as ceral rye and early interseeded cover crop mixtures in a corn system to reduce runoff, enhance soil organic matter and reduce nitrogen leaching. Contact Liz Ripley at ilf@iastate.edu or (515) 294-5429. Nov. 16 — Taking Charge of Your Finances: How to Survive and Thrive — Melrose, Minn. — Contact Dana Adams at adam1744@umn.edu or (320) 2042968. Nov. 16 — Land Rent Meeting — Melrose, Minn. — Topics include local historic and projected farmland rental rate trends, current farmland values and sales, and a worksheet that will help determine a fair rental agreement. Contact Nathan Drewitz at ndrewitz@ umn.edu or (608) 515-4414. Nov. 16 — Farmers Night Out: Should they stay or should they go? — Greenwald, Minn. — Farmer panel will answer questions and share experiences with a variety of heifer raising practices. Contact Dana Adams at adam1744@umn.edu or (320) 204-2968. Nov. 16 & 17 — National Cover Crop Summit —
Online — Eight sessions featuring cover crop establishment, building biomass, weed management, pest control, plus a soil health panel featuring experienced cover crop growers. Contact Cover Crop Strategies at info@covercropstrategies.com or (866) 839-8455. Dec. 2 — Rural Forum: Weathering the Extremes from Farm to Main Street — Mankato, Minn. — GreenSeam’s annual reception and dinner event connecting public leaders and a wide range of attendees from the agricultural sector, such as producers, manufacturers, educators, researches, and more. This event is a great opportunity for conversations about key issues facing the rural economy, as well as brainstorming potential solutions. Contact GreenSeam at info@greenseam.org or (507) 385-6672. Dec. 9 — Agricultural Market Situation and Outlook Webinar — Online — Hear from North Dakota State University Extension economics specialists on a variety of timely issues related to agricultural markets. Contact david.ripplinger@ndsu.edu. Dec. 11 — FEAST! Festival — Rochester, Minn. — 100 regional food businesses on display. Most use locally-grown ingredients. Contact Elena Byrne at elena@rtcinfo.org or (608) 712-8340 Jan. 21 & 22, 2022 —Farm Couple Retreat — Faribault, Minn. — Learn about creative communication skills, personality differences, and resources to help each couple reach their goals and attain better management of the stresses of farming and family relationships. Learn how to communicate with your partner and children more effectively and enjoy a mini-vacation as a couple from the farm. Contact Leah M Bischof at leahbischof@gmail.com or (320) 4290611. Feb. 4 & 5 — Farm Couple Retreat — St. Cloud, Minn. — Contact Leah M Bischof at leahbischof@ gmail.com or (320) 429-0611. Feb. 11 & 12 — Farm Couple Retreat — Thief River Falls, Minn. — Contact Leah M Bischof at leahbischof@gmail.com or (320) 429-0611. Feb. 15 & 16 — 2022 Minnesota Pork Congress — Mankato, Minn. — The state’s largest swine-specific trade show features exhibits, seminars and networking. Contact Lauren at lauren@mnpork.com.
