A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
The Gustafsons on their farm in Mahtowa are, from left, Roger, Sue, Alex Nelson, Evan, Scott, Amanda and Brooks.
The Gustafson family of Mahtowa has been named Carlton County's 2019 Farm Family of the Year by the University of Minnesota Extension office.
The Gustafson farm began 115 years ago as a registered Guernsey dairy. In the early 1990s, the farm transitioned to Holstein dairy cows. Today, the fifth generation of the family is growing up on the farm.
The Gustafsons raise corn silage, alfalfa, oats and barley. Five years ago they sold their dairy cows and converted the farm to a beef cow/calf and feed operation. The family raise their cattle on homegrown feeds and raise hay to sell to others for their livestock.
Scott and Amanda run the farm with their children, Evan and Brooks. Scott's parents, Roger and Sue, are still very involved in the farm, as is Scott and Amanda's nephew, Alex. Scott also runs a livestock hauling business.
The Farm Family Recognition Program has existed for over 30 years and honors farm families from throughout Minnesota for their contributions to the agriculture industry and their local communities. All of the honored farm families have made significant contributions to Minnesota agriculture and their communities.
Scott, Amanda and their boys enjoy Barnum school sports, maple tree tapping, and gardening. Amanda is a Title I teacher in the Cloquet schools. Roger serves on boards for the Farm Service Agency, Carlton County Fair, and Moose Lake Co-op. He has also served on boards for the Dairy Herd Improvement Association, Associated Milk Producers, and theRegistered Guernsey Association.
An open house for the family will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Carlton County fair in the 4-H building.
Families across the state were recognized in a ceremony this week at the annual Farmfest near Redwood Falls. Profiles of the 2019 honorees can be found at mnfarmfamilies.cfans.umn.edu.
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 the University of Minnesota Extension. "The University of Minnesota is proud to recognize these farm families for their contributions to agriculture and their communities."
