Pride in the Land: Minnesota Celebrates 2025 Farm Families at Annual Farmfest

For more than four decades, the University of Minnesota’s Farm Family Recognition Program has celebrated the families whose dedication to agriculture sustains both the land and their communities. Since 1979, the program has recognized outstanding farm families from each county across the state for their significant contributions to agriculture and local life.

Coordinated by University of Minnesota Extension, the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences, and the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Farm Family Recognition Program shines a spotlight on the individuals and families who exemplify resilience, leadership, and innovation in farming. Each year, honorees are formally recognized at Minnesota Farmfest in Redwood County, one of the state’s premier agricultural events.

In the region, five exceptional families were named 2025 Farm Families of the Year:

• Sahr Family – Faribault County
• Rognes Family – Freeborn County
• Timm Family – Mower County
• Vang Family – Steele County
• Schlaak Family – Waseca County

These families represent generations of commitment to Minnesota agriculture, ensuring the strength and sustainability of rural communities. Their leadership reflects the best of the farming tradition: dedication to the land, care for livestock, and a lasting investment in their neighbors.

Minnesota continues to be a national leader in agriculture, thanks to families like these. The state currently ranks:

• 1st in sugar beets, turkeys raised, and green peas
• 2nd in hogs and sweet corn for processing
• 3rd in soybeans, sunflower, canola, dry beans, and oats
• 4th in corn production
• 5th in overall crop production
• 6th in agricultural production, meat animals, and cheese

These numbers are more than statistics—they are a reflection of the hard work, sacrifice, and resilience of farm families across the state.

For those who grew up on a family farm, the lessons of agriculture are deeply personal: long hours, early mornings, and an unwavering dedication to both the land and the animals. Farming is not just a job—it is a way of life built on responsibility, resilience, and connection to community.

As Minnesota celebrates the 2025 Farm Families of the Year, we honor not only their achievements but also the enduring spirit of agriculture that keeps our state strong.

Congratulations to the Sahr, Rognes, Timm, Vang, and Schlaak families. Their contributions exemplify the best of Minnesota farming and the legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.