Steve and Brenda Pierson, along with their sons Travis and Nathan, of rural Woodstock, were recently recognized as the 2009 Farm Family of the Year for Pipestone County.
They are among the 73 families who receive the annual honor from the University of Minnesota, one from each participating county.
The Pipestone County Extension committee selected the Pierson family for their commitment to enhancing and supporting agriculture and agriculture production. Official recognition will take place during a ceremony Thursday, Aug. 6 at the annual Farmfest at the Gilfillan Estate near Redwood Falls.
“The University of Minnesota is proud to recognize these farm families for their contribution to agriculture and their communities,” said Bev Durgan, dean of University of Minnesota Extension in a press release announcing the honors. “There is no standard definition of a Minnesota family farm. The one factor they all have in common is that the families work together to make their farm successful. That farm family work ethic is the major contributor to the success of Minnesota communities and Minnesota’s agriculture.”
The Piersons do fit the definition of a family farm.
Steve’s grandparents moved to Woodstock from Nebraska in 1941 and following them, Steve’s father farmed the land and continues to be involved in the operation with the third generation, Steve.
According to Steve, it wasn’t a certainty that he would return to the farm after graduating high school: growing up, his family milked cows and he didn’t like to milk cows.
“I went to college for a year but then went to Vo-Tech and started working as a diesel truck mechanic,” said Steve. “I lived and worked in the Twin Cities for five years.”
At the time of his grandfather’s death, he was living in the Twin Cities and unemployed.
“My dad asked me to come home and help with the spring planting,” he said. “He told me that in the fall I could go back to twisting wrenches if I wanted. But I have been farming ever since.”
Steve is the proud owner and operator of the farm where they raise 1,100 acres of corn, soybeans, and alfalfa along with operating a 60-head commercial cow/calf operation from which they finish their own fat cows.
He joked that we raise beef and cats, “but there isn’t much of a market for cats.”
Brenda, who will be starting her 21st year of teaching Special Education at Edgerton Public School, grew up in the country but didn’t farm.
“My dad used to work for farmers and us kids used to go along with him,” she said.
Brenda helps out when she’s able, but said Travis had taken over some of the things she used to do.
“Both boys enjoy farming,” she said. “But who knows what they will decide in the future, whether they want to come back to the farm or stay on the farm.”
While growing up, Steve and Brenda were both active in 4-H and now the boys take an active part in the Prairie Grangers 4-H club.
Steve keeps busy off the farm as well. He is the president of the Woodstock First Responders of which he has been a member since 2000. He is also on the township board and a member of the Board of Directors for the Chandler Co-op.
