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The Kruisselbrinks are this year’s Pipestone County Farm Family of the Year. Pictured (back row, l-to-r) are Brad, Kim, Austin, Allison, (front row, l-to-r) Kaitlynn, Harper, Hailey and Wyatt.
Contributed photo
Brad and Kim Kruisselbrink, and their son and daughter-in-law, Austin and Allison Kruisselbrink, are this year’s Pipestone County Farm Family of the Year.
The family found out they’d received the title earlier this year. Brad said it was an unexpected honor.
Brad was born and raised on the farm just north of Woodstock where he and Kim live. The farm was homesteaded by Brad’s grandfather, Henry Kruisselbrink, who came to the U.S. from the Netherlands. Henry and his wife, Annetta, lived in Iowa for several years before moving to the family farm in 1944.
They bought a half section for around $65 an acre back then, Brad said. He said his grandparents, who had eight children, had some hard times and Henry sold off 80 acres of the land to a neighbor to get by. Austin, who lives on a farm within the Woodstock city limits, was able to buy that 80 acres back a few years ago, giving the family the whole half section that Henry had originally owned.
Henry’s son, and Brad’s father, Willys, and his wife, Aleanor, took over the operation after him, and Brad and Kim took over after that. Then Austin decided to continue the family tradition. He said he enjoyed riding in the tractor and helping on the farm from an early age.
“I always wanted to be a fireman and a farmer,” Austin said.
He’s now both and said he’s fortunate to have had the opportunity to farm available to him.
Today, the Kruisselbrinks feed about 1,500 cattle. Austin and Allison operate Over the Brink Beef, through which they sell quarters, halves and whole beef directly to customers. The family also grows corn, beans, alfalfa, small grains and rye on about 1,600 acres, and produces their own feed. They use conservation practices including planting cover crops and what Brad referred to as doing “less recreational tillage.”
In addition to all that, the family does custom chopping. Austin said his cousin is involved in the chopping business and they do some farming with his cousin and uncle as well. Austin and Brad said the family has also been fortunate to have good quality help over the years.
“We’ve had a lot of hired help and all have been good and important to where we are today,” Austin said.
While the operations have changed over the years since Henry and Annetta established the farm, some of the older structures remain and have been well-maintained, such as the barn. Brad said the old red barn, now clad in tin, is still used and is like a centerpiece of the farm.
“People love that barn,” he said. “They drive by. We were on Barn of the Week one time.”
In addition to their agricultural work, the Kruisselbrinks are very involved in their community. Brad is a member of the Pipestone County Soil and Water Conservation District and was a firefighter in Woodstock for many years, and he and Kim are very involved in Woodstock Community Church. Austin is the mayor of Woodstock and a firefighter there. Allison is part of the Woodstock Community Club and a first responder. The family has also been involved in 4-H.
“We’re community minded people,” Brad said.
Brad and Kim are a blended family and have five children and 11 grandchildren between them.