Olsons named Becker County Farm Family of the Year

The University of Minnesota Farm Family Recognition Program honors farm families from throughout Minnesota for their significant contributions to the agriculture industry and their local communities.

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

Farm Families for 2023 were recognized at Farmfest, which was held in Redwood County from August 1-3.

Kevin Olson family Becker County

Kevin and Denise Olson got their start in the cattle industry in 1974 as a commercial beef cow-calf operation. The couple purchased their first registered cows in 1987 from a ranch in Missouri and continue raising purebred Angus to this day.

The Olsons’ operation, Big Rok Angus, calves out over 200 purebred black Angus cows annually. They have an annual production sale selling 18-month-old bulls and females to commercial and purebred ranchers. The Olsons produce almost all their own feed on about 500 acres of cropland and about 500 acres of pasture. All family members help on the farm whenever possible, working cattle, branding cattle, hauling cows to pasture and preparing for the annual sale. Kevin and Denise’s daughter Billi has two children, Nolan and Khloe. The Olsons’ daughter Kelli and her husband, Jason Langerud, have five children: Ali, Kaia, Ty, Bri and Trey. Kevin and Denise’s son Matt and his wife, Sarah, have two boys, Charlie and Henry.

Kevin and Denise are involved in many local organizations. They are 4-H volunteers, members of the Becker County Farm Bureau, Ag in the Classroom volunteers, the Becker County Youth Livestock Auction Committee and they are involved in various church functions. Kevin is chair of the Becker County Extension Committee, and chair of the Becker County Youth Livestock Auction Committee, serves as Detroit Township chair and is a member of the Minnesota, North Dakota and American Angus Associations.

Seedorf Dairy Otter Tail County

The Seedorf family farm was started in 1905 by Fritz Seedorf. In the 1920s, Fritz passed half of his farm to one of his sons, Wilhelm, who then passed on the farm to his son, Carl, in the 1970s. In 2003, Carl’s son, Paul, purchased the farm and is the fourth-generation owner of Seedorf Farm. Seedorf Dairy was recognized as a Century Farm in 2011.

Paul and his wife, Amanda, operate a 55-cow dairy and farm 240 acres with the help of their three children, Carter, Clayton and Caylee.

Paul is the main operator and Amanda is the secondary operator. Carter will be a sophomore in college this fall and helps when he is home with milking and other chores. Clayton will be a senior in high school and helps with feeding the cows, youngstock and fieldwork. Caylee will be in 9th grade this fall and helps with the calves and milking and taking care of her goats.

Paul is a member of the Lakes Community Cooperative Board and one of the coaches for the East Otter Tail 4-H Dairy Bowl Team. Amanda works full-time as a medical laboratory technician, she volunteers with various 4-H activities, and in the past has helped with firearm safety field days and classes. The Seedorf children are active in 4-H with their animals, projects, and help with the East Otter Tail Breakfast on the Farm.