HUTCHINSON, Minn. — Steve and Shelley Kern of Watkins have been named Meeker County’s “2019 Farm Family of the Year” by the University of Minnesota.
The Kern Farm began as a dairy in the 1960’s. Steve and Shelley Kern took over in 1993. Currently, the Kern’s raise dairy steers and grow corn, soybeans, alfalfa and hay on their farm near Watkins.
Steve and Shelley are the owner/operators of the farm where their two children grew up. Their daughter, Sarah, is married to Jeff Magedanz and the couple has three children: Nora, Theo and a baby on the way. Their son, Simon, is an animal nutritionist with Ideal Animal Nutrition and is married to Brittany.
The Kern family has been active in their community for many years. They both have been active in 4-H with their children and look forward to it again with their grandchildren. They have done farm tours with University of Minnesota Extension and Beef Council. Steve is an FFA Alumni of the Eden Valley-Watkins Chapter. Shelley was a former EV-W School Board Director and is a lector at Assumption Catholic Church.
The family will be officially recognized in a ceremony Thursday, August 8 at 1:15 p.m. at the annual Farmfest near Redwood Falls, Minnesota. Profiles of the 2019 honorees and information on the recognition event can be found on the University’s farm family website, https://mnfarmfamilies.cfans.umn.edu/. Steve and Shelley Kern will also be recognized during the Meeker County Fair on Saturday, August 3 at 4:30 p.m.
Families receiving honors were selected by their local county Extension committees and have demonstrated a commitment to enhancing and supporting agriculture and agriculture production.
“These farm families are a major driver of Minnesota’s economy and the vitality of Minnesota’s rural communities,” said Bev Durgan, dean of University of Minnesota Extension. “The University of Minnesota is proud to recognize these farm families for their contributions to agriculture and their communities.”
Along with Farmfest, University units sponsoring the recognition event include, Minnesota Extension, College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources, College of Veterinary Medicine, and Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station.
— University of Minnesota Extension
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