Sesquicentennial Farms

The Minnesota Farm Bureau is recognizing 38 Sesquicentennial Farms. Yes, there are 38 farms in Minnesota of at least 50 acres in size being recognized this year that have been owned by the same family for at least 150 years. Recipients will receive a commemorative certificate signed by Governor Mark Dayton, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Dave Fredickson and Minnesota Farm Bureau President Kevin Paap. Qualifying families will also receive an outdoor sign signifying Sesquicentennial Farm recognition.

A number of those Sesquicentennial farms are in KDHL's listening area. In Rice County Duchene Farms, Steele County David and Jean Krause and Louise Krause, Waseca County Hagerty Family Farm, Dodge County Brandon Gochnauer and James O'Connor. There were 5 Sesquicentennial Farms in Goodhue County David and Carol Baker, Roger A and Doris M Gruber, Kingsporen Farms, Jerrold C Lexvold, Vicki Dahlstrom and Marie E Valburg, Freeborn County Rachel and Kathryn Knudson abd Blue earth County Gerald and Julie Bach, Henry an Gladys Walser.

Certainly in 150 years there were some good and bad times, especially during the Great Depression of the 1930's. There is something special about owing farmland capable of producing food. Just ask any family that now owns the land that has been in their family for 150 years! Hats off to the Minnesota Farm Bureau, Governor Dayton and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture for giving them some recognition.