Kettle River dairy farm family honored

Carlton County's Farm Family of the Year is the crew at Pasek Dairy Farm, run by Jeff Pasek and his family in rural Kettle River.

Each year the University of Minnesota's Farm Family Recognition Program honors farm families from each county in Minnesota for contributions to the agriculture industry and their local communities.

The Pasek Dairy Farm in Split Rock Township has been in the family since Jeff's great-grandfather bought it in 1909. As the farm was passed on from one generation to the next, the operation began getting more specialized as it catered to each family's needs. When Jeff's parents took over, they had a little bit of everything - hens, sheep, cattle, and crops. As time went on, Jeff's father got a job working as a janitor at the Kettle River school and the farm became specialized in dairy.

Jeff said he knew from an early age that farming was what he wanted to do for a living. He was out helping with chores around the farm as early as he could and started making strides toward making the farm what he wanted at age 13.

"It was just in me," he said.

Jeff purchased the farm from his parents in 1992. He has three children, Sarah, Jeffrey, and Steph. Growing up, the kids were actively involved in helping with the day-to-day activities that made the farm run and were involved in sports and school activities, as well as 4-H. As the kids have grown up they have off-farm jobs, but come and help as often as they can.

Jeff has been a long-standing member of the Split Rock Star Club. His grandfather is a founding member of the community gathering site. He also volunteers at his church.

He has always been very involved with the University of Minnesota Extension, learning more about various farm topics, and has helped through the years with alfalfa scissor cut research, hosted on-farm programs, and helped with 4-H events.

The farm life is still for him, despite its ups and downs.

"The world keeps moving and searching for the next thing," he said. "I just want to take some time to stop and enjoy a nice sunny day, to sit on the porch and enjoy life. I don't need a lot of things. In fact, I don't need anything. I need my kids to come around, and decent down-to-earth people to visit with."

Families from across the state will be recognized Aug. 8 at Farmfest near Redwood Falls.

The Pasek family will also be recognized at the Carlton County Fair at noon on Aug. 16. The program will also recognize Century Farms and Honorable Senior Citizens.