By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
Good food, conversations, and stories were shared during the annual Farm and City Luncheon March 21, hosted by the Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce at the Mill in Waseca.
Following a lunch catered by the Pheasant Cafe and served by local FFA Chapters from Waseca, NRHEG, and Waseca, the following families, all from rural Waseca, were honored with awards: Farm Family of the year (FFOY); Sommers Brothers Custom Baling, LLC, Brian & Kirsten Sommers and Matt & Nicole Sommers.
The FFOY award goes to a Waseca County food producer involved in the community. This family has made significant short-term progress and/or innovative contributions with their agricultural endeavors and has demonstrated a commitment to enhancing and supporting the fields of agriculture and production. The Sommers will be honored and recognized among farmers across the state at Farmfest this summer.
The Waseca County Outstanding Young Farmer award is presented to a farmer between 21–39 years of age who utilizes innovative methods, has made improvement in farming operations, and demonstrates service to community organizations and conservation practices. This year’s winner was Mike Singlestad.
This year’s Waseca County Distinguished Agriculture Leadership award recognizes distinguished individuals who have dedicated their lives to the advancement of agriculture in Waseca County. Individuals will have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the community, place of business or employment, and the advancement of the agricultural industry.
This year’s award went to Kathy Guse.
The annual Farm and City luncheon has been a staple in Waseca County, recognizing local farmers and their achievements since 2011.
“It's an opportunity for businesses to see all the awesome things our farmers are doing,” said Ann Fitch, Chamber executive director, “and to award leaders in agriculture in the county, the region and the state.
“Farmers do much more than farm the land,” Fitch continued, explaining that, historically, Waseca County farmers have propelled Minnesota agriculture to the forefront
The Farm and City Luncheon is a time to acknowledge those achievements. “It's amazing hearing all the stories,” Fitch explained. “It’s time to recognize them.”
The program started with a presentation from Waseca and Janesville chapters of Future Farmers of America, followed by the awards portion around 12:30 p.m.
Vicky Singlestad, Mark Scharf and Christy Kallevig introduced the award winners.
Articles about each of the awards given out during the program can be found in this week’s edition.
The annual luncheon was made possible through the generous support of the following sponsors:
Title sponsor: FM Bank
Champion sponsors: Waseca Area Ambassadors, Keen Bank, Compeer Financial, Mediacom, The Mill, American Family Insurance Matthew Petsinger Agency, United Prairie Bank, Kwik Trip, Mid-State Mutual Insurance, MinnWest Bank, Kibble Equipment, the Shop, Linder Farm Network, and Farmamerica
Blue Ribbon Sponsors: Ameriprise Financial Kevin Walter, Thrivent Financial Diane Beckmann, iWealth Brad Connors, Waseca Rotary Club, Southern Research and Outreach Center, Patton, Hoversten and Berg P.A., Cinch Connectivity Solutions, and Sail CRE at Keller Williams, Inc-Adam Knewtson.