University of Minnesota Farm Families of the Year will be recognized in ceremonies beginning at 1:15 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 4, at the annual Minnesota Farmfest on the Gilfillan Estate near Redwood Falls.
The families were chosen by local U of M Extension committees based on their demonstrated commitment to enhancing and supporting agriculture.
“The farm families receiving this year’s honors exemplify what makes Minnesota agriculture strong. They bring innovation, science and hard work to farming. They care greatly about the land and animals and delivering quality products to consumers worldwide,” said Bev Durgan, dean of Extension. “The University of Minnesota takes pride in honoring these families.”
A sampling of farmers and their contributions to agriculture follows. All the 2016 farm families are profiled at mnfarmfamilies.cfans.umn.edu.
Waseca County
Greg and Barb Roesler Family
Greg is the sixth generation of the Roesler family to farm in Waseca County. His ancestors began farming portions of the current farm in Vivian Township in 1890. The farmstead that family lives on has been in the family since 1941 and is the sight of the original family seed business started by Greg’s grandfather. Greg started farming his own acres in 1999 after graduating from South Dakota State University with a degree in agronomy. Greg and Barb met at SDSU and were married that same year.
The current farming operation consists of corn and soybeans. Greg is also part owner of Roesler Seeds. He sells and distributes Dekalb, Stine, Latham and Asgrow seeds and provides seed treatment services. In addition, Greg offers custom spraying and prepares nutrient management plans. He also owns his own crop insurance company.
The Roeslers’ sons, Ralph and George, help on the farm wherever they are needed. Chores include helping load, deliver and treat seed, walking beans and, of course, picking rock.
Greg is a member of the Waseca County Corn and Soybean Growers and the New Richland’s Sportsman’s Club. He also serves as a council member at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Waseca. Barb is the agriculture education teacher and FFA Advisor for Waseca Junior-Senior High school. The Roesler family has been involved in the Waseca County 4-H program for the past seven years.
Steele County
Ken and Lisa Kern family
Kerncrest LLC began with Ken and Lisa’s dream of starting their own registered Holstein dairy farm. In 1995, Ken and Lisa rented a milking facility near Faribault in southeastern Minnesota, six years later they purchased their own farm in Steele County. With the help of family and friends they remodeled an existing barn into a 50 cow tie-stall.
Two years ago the Kern’s middle son, Andrew, and his wife, Allana, became partners in the operation. The cows were moved to a new site and today the family is milking 70 registered Holsteins with a goal of 120.
Ken and Andrew manage the dairy. Andrew also works part time at IBA Supply. Allana and Lisa both work full time off the farm. The Kerns’ oldest child, Elizabeth, and her husband, Shelton, have a young daughter, Ceola, and help around the farm when they can. The Kerns’ youngest son, Matthew, serves in the army and helps on the farm when he is home.
The Kerns are involved in their local community including a lot of 4-H and FFA participation. They spend a good deal of time judging, coaching and showing dairy cattle.
The family also volunteers time in organizations like Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Sacred Heart Church New Life Community Church, Owatonna Business Women and the local DHIA and Holstein boards.
Freeborn County
Doug and Stacy Steele Family
Doug and Stacy Steele, along with their three boys, Gavin, Garrick and Garrison, farm about 800 acres of corn and soybeans outside of Alden in southeastern Minnesota. The family also raises 10,000 pigs per year in a wean-to-finish operation. Doug is co-owner of Precision Pork Sow Cooperative. Doug and Stacy are both from the Alden area and Doug is the fifth generation of the family to farm. The Steeles have owned their farm for 21 years.
Doug started farming with his uncle and his father, Richard, as a teenager and continued to farm part-time while majoring in swine production at the University of Minnesota, Waseca. The Steeles’ sons all help with the farm work by loading pigs, moving pigs, washing barns and picking rock. The boys are also very involved in school sports.
Doug operates the farm full time but still finds time to serve on the Alden-Conger School Board. He’s also a past president of the Mansfield Lutheran Church Council. He’s involved in the Freeborn County Corn Growers and Pork Producer organizations.
Stacy works full time at Mayo Clinic Health Systems, teaches Sunday school, is a Lutheran Youth Organization leader and is a co-leader of the Conger 4-H Club.