STARBUCK – State Rep. Paul Anderson, R-Starbuck, congratulates two District 12B families – the Reeds of Pope County and the Branches of Douglas – for receiving 2018 Farm Family of the Year recognition.
The Farm Family Recognition Program has existed for over 30 years and is coordinated by the University of Minnesota Extension. Honorees are selected by local U of M Extension committees “based on their demonstrated commitment to enhancing and supporting agriculture.”
“As someone who has spent their life on family farms, I have a special appreciation for the good work the Reeds and Branches are doing in the agriculture industry,” Anderson said. “Farming is more than a livelihood for them, it’s a way of life and a great bond for the family. It is good to see them receive recognition for their efforts.”
The U of M has assembled profiles each of this year’s 80 Farm Family award recipients and here are snippets from the District 12B families:
Berry Ridge Farm: Ann and Ron Branch grew up on family farms in Minnesota. Ann was an active 4-H member and Ron was honored as an FFA District Star Farmer and served as state FFA vice president. In 1992, the Branches pioneered the use of high tunnels in the farm’s specialty crop operation and now the family has six high tunnels to maximize production on their 11-acre farm. The Branches’ sons, Carl and Eric, began working on the farm when they were young. At age 10 the boys used a Farm Service Agency Youth Loan to build their own high tunnel. The Branch family raises a wide variety of produce including strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, green beans, beets and cut flowers. Over the years, Berry Ridge Farm has hosted University of Minnesota on-farm research.
Bar J Ranch: John and Joanne Reed moved to Pope County in 1976 to manage a purebred Angus herd. In 1980, the couple purchased 320 acres to start their own operation. The Reeds developed a rotational grazing system on their ranch and added a K-line irrigation system on 80 acres that contain 22 paddocks. Bar J Ranch is currently home to a herd of 270 Angus and Aberdeen cattle and 1,000 acres of owned and rented land. The first Aberdeen cattle in the United States were born on the Reeds’ ranch in 1997. The Reeds’ son, Jake, is part owner of the ranch and very active in its operation. Jake’s four children participate in 4-H and help around the ranch. The Reeds’ other son, Josh, was involved in 4-H growing up and spent time working on the ranch.
The farm families will be recognized in a ceremony 1:15 p.m., Aug. 9 at the annual Minnesota Farmfest on the Gilfillan Estate near Redwood Falls.
More information regarding this program and full profiles of the 2018 farm families is available at http://mnfarmfamilies.cfans.umn.edu.
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