Foley, Minn. (08/06/2009) - The Roy and Cindy Schneider family of Foley has been named Benton County’s “2009 Farm Family of the Year” by the University of Minnesota. The award was presented to the Schneider family at Benton County Fair 4H Livestock Auction on August 5.

Families receiving honors were selected by their local County Extension Committees and have demonstrated a commitment to enhancing and supporting agriculture and agriculture production. Extension Educator Dan Martens says, “The County Extension Committee selects a family each year as an example of farm families in Benton County who make a significant part of their living on the farm by producing food for the rest of us, and participating in the community in a way that helps to make Benton County a good place to live and work.”

The Schneider family bought their first land in 1989 and now, along with some rented land, farm 300 acres with a 50/50 corn and soybean rotation. In 2008 Roy converted from conventional tillage to conservation tillage using a strip tillage system with fertilizer worked into an 8-inch band and a liquid starter fertilizer put in the seed furrow at planting. To utilize available pasture land, they maintain a 40 head herd of Angus brood cows and use intensive grazing methods for optimal pasture management. The calves are weaned onto full feed and additional feeders are purchased as well. They keep a small flock of layer hens for fresh eggs throughout the year.

Roy and Cindy both come from dairy farm backgrounds and appreciate the intrinsic work ethic that comes from life on a farm. Roy does the majority of the farming with help from their children: David, Elizabeth, Daniel, Leanna, and William – especially during the summer months. Roy’s philosophy is, if they are not looking forward to school in the fall, he hasn’t kept them busy enough during the summer. The children will tell you they enjoy their adventures around the farm. Cindy works as controller for a company in Minneapolis and is able to telecommute a few days a week which allows more time with the family.

The Schneiders have been active for over 10 years in 4H. David and Elizabeth are 4H Ambassadors and officers for 4H Leader’s Council for Benton County and the Duelm 4H Club. They have both served as 4H camp counselors. All of the children enjoy showing the fruits of their labor at the fair and regular activities with their 4H club. Their 4H involvement ties in very well with the farm and helps them learn and apply farm life experiences.

In the community, Roy serves as an adult leader for the Duelm 4H Club, on the St. John’s Area School Board, St. Lawrence Parish Council, volunteer religion education teacher, Duelm Lion’s, and Knights of Columbus. Cindy is a member of the St. Lawrence Christian Women and helps with overseeing of the annual St. John’s Area cookie bake fundraiser in the fall.

The Schneiders believe the farm is a great place to raise a family and feel very fortunate to be able to provide this environment for their children. For them, integrating good Christian values and morals into everyday life is important and that is enhanced by attending K-6 grade at St. John’s Area school in Foley. They hope that these experiences combined with the experiences and responsibilities gained on the family farm will prepare them to be strong adults.

Looking to the future, Roy continues to look for ways to incorporate conservation practices into the farming operation, to be a better steward of the land, to keep farming profitable, and to create a viable succession for the farm’s future.

Congratulations to the Schneider family and thanks to all of Benton County’s farm families for their efforts and contributions to the community.

“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. “Farm families are the foundation of Minnesota agriculture and major contributors to the vitality of our communities.”

Many of the 64 families honored this year were officially recognized in a ceremony Thursday, Aug. 6 at the annual Farmfest near Redwood Falls, Minn. Profiles of the 2009 honorees and information on the recognition event can be found on the University’s farm family website, http://mnfarmfamilies.cfans.umn.edu/.

Along with Farmfest, University units sponsoring the recognition event include University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, and the College of Veterinary Medicine.

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Contact: Dan Martens, U of M Extension Benton County Office, Foley MN, 320-968-5077, marte011@umn.edu.

Article courtesy of U of M Extension.