Lind Family Farms

By Maddie Smith

If you have been to the Fillmore County Fair or anywhere where beef is shown, there’s a good chance you have seen at least one member of the Doug Lind family. Doug and Becky Lind, along with their seven children and grandchildren, have a herd of beef cattle just outside of Rushford, Minn. The Lind family showcases their herd in beef shows on every level, ranging from local to national. Through the thick and the thin, the family embraces and overcomes the challenges faced by the industry to make a difference in the agriculture community. 

During an interview, Doug states, “We don’t do it for the money. It’s a lifestyle.” This only begins to tell us how much passion a family like the Lind family puts into their work and animals. Doug and his entire family are involved on their family-run farm. As you probably could have guessed, the livestock plays a big role within the family dynamics. On the farm Doug and his wife, Becky, and seven kids (from oldest to youngest: Chelsey, Colby, Lakyn, Daniel, Kjersta, Hans, and Jens) all contribute to agriculture in some form. 

Doug has spent several years on the Fillmore County Fair Board and 4-H Beef Project Development Committee. Chelsey helps with the livestock at shows. Colby is the ag teacher and FFA advisor at the Rushford-Peterson High School. Within the R-P FFA Chapter, Hans is the chapter president and Jens is the sentinel. The kids are involved with showing in Junior shows, in addition to 4-H and FFA. Lakyn continues to work right beside Doug on the farm, and each family member helps with chores, trimming cattle for shows and sales, and every other odd job that needs to be done in order to make the farm successful. 

Doug has been involved with farming his entire life. He was “born and raised” in agriculture on a diversified livestock operation. He has been able to pass on this same experience to his children and grandchildren. On his own farm, Doug initially started with purebred Hereford beef cattle. Within the last 12-15 years, however, he has added purebred Red Angus to his beef herd. “We do our best to showcase our genetics,” says Doug. They don’t have a large number of head, but they aim to produce top-tier breed genetics. Both the Angus and Herefords have been very successful at shows.

In addition to showing at Junior Nationals, the family competes at the Minnesota State Fair for 4-H and FFA, in Denver, Louisville, Fort Worth, Texas, at the Beef Expo. One cow Doug is especially proud of is a Red Angus, Alaynah. She was the Supreme Champion at the Minnesota Beef Expo and Nationals. Much of their Red Angus herd has been built around her genetics. Unfortunately, the family lost her last fall. They still, however, have some of her embryos, making it possible to continue her genetics in the herd. The rest of the herd and other cattle have been showcased with pleasing results. The farm has yielded numerous National purple ribbons from champion, reserve champion, and division winners. “We focus on making the best of what we can,” Doug adds. With every class, there is an immeasurable amount of pride, time, and hard work invested in each animal. 

One of the most relevant issues facing beef farmers is a disconnect with their consumers. Educating and informing the general public about the process to get their meat and beef products to the plate can be a challenge. That is why having community-involved beef families such as the Linds is such an important asset to communities. At shows, county and state fairs, expos, on the farm, in the classroom, and everywhere else in public, the Lind family is essentially a living encyclopedia when it comes to knowledge of the beef industry. Doug and his family are no strangers to working with others and closing in the gap between their farm and your plate.

Throughout the year, the Linds sell bulls directly off the farm and have an online female sale in the fall. They also consign to online sales. Visit Lind Family Farms at lind-tlc.com  to learn more about the family and seek out cattle or related services. You can also find them on the Minnesota Hereford Directory.

From generation to generation, the Linds continue to deepen their roots in the agriculture industry. From the small town of Rushford to some of the biggest beef showcases in the nation, Doug Lind and his family have and continue to spread their joy for beef cattle. Whether it be through the FFA, 4-H, or right on their farm, the Linds contribute their efforts and knowledge to bring producers and consumers closer together, making the beef world an even better place. Celebrate Beef Month and support the Doug Lind family and all of your local beef families this month (and every other month) by enjoying a savory steak. If you ever want to know more about this industry, visit a local beef exhibition. You can be quite sure you’ll be able to find one of the Linds there.