Farm Family of the Year | News, Sports, Jobs

Members of the Schultz family are pictured above. Standing, from left to right, are the children Schultz, Bernie, Christopher, Dominic, Marielle, Vincent, Chelsea and Andrea. Sitting on the tractor, parents Ron and Chris.

When inquiring about a farm operation, the discussion often turns to the number of acres cultivated or the size of the livestock operation.

But Ron and Chris Schultz, who along with their children were named Faribault County Farm Family of the Year for 2021, prefer to talk about what else they raised on their farm: their family.

“Growing up on a farm has given each of our children good problem-solving skills” Ron talks about the four boys and three girls he and Chris raised. “It’s a real advantage over the life course. “

The University of Minnesota Farming Family Recognition Program honors farm families across Minnesota for their significant contributions to the farming industry and their local communities.

The Farm Family Recognition Program has honored Minnesota farmers since 1979. It is coordinated by the University of Minnesota Extension, the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, and the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Families were selected, one from each county, by local University of Minnesota extension committees based on their demonstrated commitment to improving and supporting agriculture.

The Schultz family, along with 80 families from across Minnesota, were honored at a ceremony held at Farmfest last August.

“I started helping on the farm when I was six years old”, Ron’s comments. “I mostly worked with cattle and as I got older I started to work more in the fields. “

Schultz Farm, which is located in Walnut Lake Township, southeast of Easton, has always been a diverse farm.

“We grow corn, soybeans and have hay land”, Ron shares. “I have milked cows for 25 years and we just sold our last group of pigs on September 7th. We still have cattle.

Chris says their boys got involved in the operation when they were very young.

“They went with their father every day” she mentions. “They were barely out of their diapers when they started.”

Learning to work and having responsibilities were traits that Ron and Chris considered important to their children.

“If we did not have work for them on the farm, they would find work elsewhere”, Ron said. “Some of the places they worked were Sahrside Dairy outside of Bricelyn, the Easton Nursery, and the Double Play Restaurant in Blue Earth.”

The children of the Schultz family were also active in school activities, especially sports.

“. Ron notes. “People who have never cultivated may not understand how difficult it is. “

But Ron and Chris made it a point to attend their children’s activities.

“Being involved with your family is the best thing” Ron said.

While Ron was maybe six when he first started helping his father, Vern, he shares that it was after he graduated from high school that he really started to be a part of the operation.

“I graduated from Wells-Easton in 1969 in a class of 113 students. “ he comments. “I never really wanted to do anything other than the farm and I never had any other job than the farm.

“I really started in 1970. It was on the job training.

Three of Ron and Chris’ sons, Dominic, Bernie and Christopher, operate a farm with their father while renting and owning their own land. Their fourth son, Vincent, returns to help with the fieldwork in the fall.

“I never asked any of them if they wanted to cultivate” Ron said. “It was their decision.”

He says they all bring different skills to the operation.

“Dominic takes care of the planting, Christopher takes care of the spraying and Bernie is the combine operator” Ron explains. “Dominique also has knowledge of tiling, mechanical skills and hauls grain for other farmers. Bernie has carpentry and construction skills and operates a tree cutting service.

Four of the Schultz children also served their country through military service.

“Vincent and our three daughters served in the armed forces”, Chris shares. “Vincent was in the Air Force, Chelsea and Andre were in the Army and Marielle served in the Marines.”

Ron and Chris, who celebrated their 41st birthday on September 13, have also been very involved with their church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, in Easton, over the years.

Ron served on Our Lady of Mount Carmel School Board for many years. Bernie currently sits on the church board and is also a volunteer firefighter and township supervisor. The Schults are members of the county, state and country corn growers associations.

“The University of Minnesota is proud to honor these families. The farming families receiving this year’s honors showcase the strength of Minnesota agriculture, ” Says Extension Dean Bev Durgan. “They bring innovation, science and hard work to agriculture. They care deeply about the land and animals and provide quality products to consumers around the world.

Ron and Chris believe growing up on a farm was a great way for their children to learn about life.

“Everything you do now prepares you for what you will do later in life” Ron said.

And while Ron and Chris remain active on the farm where they raised their family, they can also take the time to smile and enjoy the next generation as they continue to walk through life.