Minnesota Farmers Union

ST. PAUL (August 10, 2011) – The Farm Family Recognition Program has existed for three decades. The program honors farm families from throughout Minnesota for their contributions to the agricultural industry and their local communities. 

This year, Minnesota Farmers Union members Calvin and Susan Harmoning of Red Lake County were honored. Calvin Harmoning of Red Lake Falls began buying a dairy herd and rented land when his father was farming.  After marrying Susan, the couple purchased the home place and continued the dairy with Grade A milk.  Calvin and Susan rented more land and owned 460 acres.  In 1993, they sold the dairy herd.  In 1995, they rented out the land when Calvin went to work at an agricultural application business and worked there until he retired in 2010.  Calvin continues to work part-time and also owns  a beef cattle herd with his son.  Calvin and Susan have four children and seven grandchildren.

Over the years, Calvin has been involved in the Crop Improvement Association, DHIA, and National Farmers Organization.  He was the county representative in the King Agassiz recognition, county dairy couple, and Red Lake Falls Farm Family of the Year.

Minnesota Farmers Union congratulates and thanks them for their contributions to Minnesota agriculture. 

ST. PAUL (August 8, 2011) – The Farm Family Recognition Program has existed for three decades. The program honors farm families from throughout Minnesota for their contributions to the agricultural industry and their local communities. 

This year, Minnesota Farmers Union members Alan and Lori Callister of Dodge County were honored. The Callister family farm has been in Alan’s family since 1856.  After Alan and Lori began farming together in 1987 the farm has gone from producing grain and beef to a chicken farm and chicken processing plant.  The major overhaul began in 1999 when Alan and Lori remodeled the dairy barn into a poultry processing plant, processing their own chickens that they raised.  By 2003, they expanded to become a “Minnesota Equal To” facility, and by 2008, they began processing poultry for other producers.  

Today, the Callisters raise about 12,000 meat chickens per year and maintain a laying flock of about 800 hens.  They also raise 150 turkeys and 100 geese per year.  Alan and Lori have two daughters; Molly and Gail.  Molly has returned to the business after studying organic farming and processing in Italy and small engine repair in Ireland.  Gail lives and works in Newport News, VA.

ST. PAUL (August 10, 2011) – The Farm Family Recognition Program has existed for three decades. The program honors farm families from throughout Minnesota for their contributions to the agricultural industry and their local communities. 

This year, Minnesota Farmers Union members Tom and Karen Wencl of Steele County were honored. Tom and Karen are the third generation to operate the Wencl family farm in Blooming Prairie.  In 1977, Tom and Karen began working with Tom’s parents, Ludwig and Jalaine Wencl.  Tom and Karen then bought the farm from Ludwig and Jalaine in 1991. In addition to Tom and Karen, sons Wayne and Chris are involved with the farm.  

They milk 110 cows and raise their own replacement heifers totaling about 225 head.  They have 475 acres of grain and another 105 acres of pasture.  All of the crops are certified organic.  Tom and Karen work full-time in the operation.  Son Wayne joined the farm in 2004. He, his wife, and daughter, Linnea and Jayden, live nearby.  Son Chris came back to the farm in 2006.  Daughter Jenny also helps on the farm when she is home from college.

ST. PAUL (August 10, 2011) – The Farm Family Recognition Program has existed for three decades. The program honors farm families from throughout Minnesota for their contributions to the agricultural industry and their local communities. 

This year, Minnesota Farmers Union members Gene, John, and Carol Marx of Wabasha County were honored. The Marx family farm in Wabasha has been in the Marx family for approximately 135 years and has been operating as a dairy farm for more than 5 generations.  The current farm is a dairy operation run by twin brothers John and Gene Marx.  The brothers milk twice daily, run 285 acres of rotational crops of corn, alfalfa, and oats, and have a small beef herd.  John and Gene have 100% involvement in the dairy operation.  Assistance during busy times comes from other family members.

In the community, John serves as a board member of Wabasha County FSA.  John’s wife Carol has served as a 4-H leader.  Both John and Gene have been involved in church activities.

Minnesota Farmers Union congratulates and thanks them for their contributions to Minnesota agriculture. 

ST. PAUL (August 10, 2011) – The Farm Family Recognition Program has existed for three decades. The program honors farm families from throughout Minnesota for their contributions to the agricultural industry and their local communities. 

This year, Minnesota Farmers Union members Steve and Tammy Olson Farm of Mille Lacs County were honored. The Olson family was purchased in 1890 and now has been in the family for five generations.  The farm was passed through the family until the 1930’s.  Steve Olson took over the farm in 1980 after his high school graduation.  The current Olson farm runs 140 acres of pasture, hay, corn, oats, and barley.  They also milk 48 cows.  Steve and Tammy have two daughters and one son.  Their eldest daughter Kim is 25 and works as a social worker in Onamia.  She and her husband Sean Willis have one daughter with a second child on the way.  Steve and Tammy’s daughter Kelly is 21 and is a PCA working with young kids.  Son Andy is going to be a 10th grader this fall. 

ST. PAUL (August 10, 2011) – The Farm Family Recognition Program has existed for three decades. The program honors farm families from throughout Minnesota for their contributions to the agricultural industry and their local communities.  

This year, Minnesota Farmers Union members Lawrence and Diane Sukalski and Family of Martin County were honored. Since 1885, five generations of the Sukalski family have worked the same soil to grow corn and soybeans in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa.  They have received the National Conservation Legacy Award for their environmentally responsible land management practices.  Over the years, Lawrence and Diane expanded their production acres to partner with Lawrence’s brother Harlan, and to enable their five children and Lawrence’s brother Rod to begin farming.  Lawrence, Diane, and Harlan manage and work on the farm full time.  Lawrence and Diane have five children and two daughter-in-laws; Jacob (wife Courtney), Andrew (wife Megan), Kristina, Michael, and Suzanne.