HUTCHINSON, Minn. — The Luthens family of Hutchinson has been named McLeod County’s “2018 Farm Family of the Year” by the University of Minnesota.
The Luthens’ Skyview Dairy was started by Daryl Luthens in 1968 with seven cows. Over time the farm went through a series of expansions bringing the current milking herd to about 1,400 cows. The family farms 3,500 acres and feeds most of the grain they grow to their livestock. As the farm grew, so did the family and all family members became involved.
The farm is currently owned by Daryl and his sons, Shane, Brandon, Justin and Garrett. Justin and his fiancée, Megan, have a son, Milo. Justin heads up agronomy work on the farm and Megan helps in the office and with field work. Garrett and his wife, Melissa, have two children, Annabelle and Micah. Garrett manages farm operations and Melissa handles the finances.
Justin and Daryl Luthens are members of the McLeod County Fair Board. Garrett serves on the board of Minnesota Milk Producers Association and chairs the group’s policy committee. Garrett is a member of the Hutchinson Joint Planning Board and helps with Cub Scout activities. Melissa serves on the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness Committee and is a Girl Scout troop leader. Daryl is a veteran of the National Guard.
Skyview Dairy hosts tours with a goal of educating more people about dairy farming. The Luthens partner with the University of Minnesota Veterinary School in teaching and research programs. The dairy received the Vet School’s 2018 Dairy Appreciation Award.
The families will be officially recognized in a ceremony Thursday, August 9 at the annual Farmfest near Redwood Falls, Minn. Profiles of the 2018 honorees and information on the recognition event can be found on the University’s farm family website, http://mnfarmfamilies.cfans.umn.edu/. The Luthens Family will also be recognized at the beginning of the McLeod County Fair – 4-H Livestock Auction on Friday, August 17.
Families receiving honors were selected by their local county Extension committees and have demonstrated a commitment to enhancing and supporting agriculture and agriculture production.
Along with Farmfest, University units sponsoring the recognition event include University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, and the College of Veterinary Medicine.
— Karen Johnson, UMN Extension Educator – McLeod and Meeker Counties
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