By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
Good food, conversations, and stories were shared during the annual Farm and City Luncheon March 16, hosted by the Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce at the Mill in Waseca.
Following a lunch catered by the Pheasant Cafe, the following families were honored with awards:
Farm Family of the year (FFOY); Cedar Crate Farms, Dan and Lara Zimmerli of Waldorf.
The FFOY award goes to a Waseca County food producer involved in the community. This family has made significant short-term progress and/or innovative contributions with their agricultural endeavors and has demonstrated a commitment to enhancing and supporting the fields of agriculture and production. The Zimmerlis will be honored and recognized among farmers across the state at Farmfest this summer.
The Waseca County Outstanding Young Farmer award is presented to a farmer between 21–39 years of age, who utilizes innovative methods, has made improvement in farming operations, and demonstrates service to community organizations and conservation practices. This year’s winner was the family of Adam and Anne Harguth
Senior Active Farmer: Charlie Priebe, rural Waseca County
Active Farmer: Mark Bernard, New Richland
Posthumous distinguished ag award: Alfred Trahms, Janesville
This posthumous award recognizes distinguished individuals who dedicated their life to the advancement of agriculture in Waseca County. Trahms, who died in 1984, demonstrated outstanding leadership in the community, his farm, and the advancement of the agricultural industry.
The annual Farm and City luncheon has been a staple in Waseca County, recognizing local farmers and their achievements since 2011.
“It's an opportunity for businesses to see all the awesome things our farmers are doing,” said Ann Fitch, Chamber executive director, “and to award leaders in agriculture in the county, the region and the state.
“Farmers do much more than farm the land,” Fitch continued, explaining that, historically, Waseca County farmers have propelled Minnesota agriculture to the forefront
The Farm and City Luncheon is a time to acknowledge those achievements. “It's amazing hearing all the stories,” Fitch explained. “It’s time to recognize them.”
The program started with a presentation from Waseca and Janesville chapters of Future Farmers of America, followed by the awards portion around 12:30 p.m.
Waseca Mayor Randy Zimmerman opened the program sharing a little bit of his family history prior to handing the presentation off to speakers Gyles Randall, Lisa Dierks, and Vicky Singlestad who introduced the various award winners.
Articles about each of the awards given out during the program can be found in this week’s edition of the Pioneer.
The annual luncheon was made possible through the generous support of the following sponsors:
Title sponsor: MinnWest Bank
Champion sponsors: Waseca Area Ambassadors, Keen Bank, Compeer Financial, Xtream powered by Mediacom, The Mill, American Family Insurance Matthew Petsinger Agency, United Prairie Bank, Kwik Trip, Mid-State Mutual Insurance.
Blue Ribbon Sponsors: Ameriprise Financial Kevin Walter, Thrivent Financial Diane Beckmann, iWealth Brad Connors, Waseca Rotary Club and Southern Research and Outreach Center.