Five finalists announced for Woman Farmer of the Year

The top five finalists for the Farmfest Woman Farmer of the Year Award have been selected. IDEAg Group, LLC., producers of Minnesota Farmfest, will bestow the fourth annual Farmfest Woman Farmer of the Year Award on August 3 .

The finalists are Rachel Gray of Blackduck, Minn.; Rachelle Krienke of Lester Prairie, Minn.; Alma Kubat of Owatonna, Minn.; Debbie Morrison of Mora, Minn.; and Kari Olson of Hawley, Minn.; These five women will be recognized at an awards ceremony at 10:45 a.m. on Aug. 3.

Many changes have been made since she took over including the heifer development business.

She began her work experience as a teacher in Blackduck, Minn. After teaching for many years she decided to go back to farming which was her true passion.

She runs the breeding and genetic program on her ranch. She chooses the genetics for other private ranches and does the custom breeding of those animals. While doing all this, she is teaching her son and grandchildren the business. This is her legacy for them.

Rachel is not just a rancher; she has continued as an educator. She hosts ag classes at her farm for students to learn skills they would otherwise just read about in a textbook.

She is also a part of the Cattleman›s Association, Soil and Water Conservation board, the Kelliher FFA Alumni, and other local organizations.

Rachelle Krienke

Lester Prairie, Minn.

Rachel Gray

Blackduck, Minn.

Rachel grew up on the same farm she runs today.

Rachelle learned the value of hard work and dedication growing up on a hobby farm near Winsted, Minn. — the third of five children. She was active in the Winsted Jolly Juniors 4-H Club and McLeod

County 4-H, including showing beef cattle. After graduating from Holy Trinity High School, she took courses at St. Cloud State University. She fell in love