By Katie Drewitz
University of Minnesota
Extension
The Ruen family of Lanesboro has been named Fillmore County’s “2025 Farm Family of the Year” by the University of Minnesota Extension.
The Ruen family farm began in the early 1930s with Howard Ruen, who laid the foundation for what would become a multi-generational operation. When Howard’s son Donnie returned from military service in 1967, he joined his father full time on the farm. In 1998, Nick came home after college to continue the legacy, and in 2000, he and Trista married and raised their family on the same land. Trista also comes from a strong farm background, with her own family recognized as Fillmore County Farm Family of the Year in 2008.
Today, Ruen Farms is home to 100 cow-calf pairs, with calves sold in mid-winter. They also custom raise Holstein heifers. The farm stretches across 700 acres, including 440 tillable acres and the rest in pasture and woods. Each year, they raise about 180 acres of corn and 100 acres of soybeans, with the remaining acreage in hay.
Nick manages the day-to-day operations: livestock, nutrition, herd health, fieldwork and bookkeeping. Trista works off the farm but helps with animals, records and fieldwork when needed. Donnie remains active in daily chores, maintenance and field operations. Their kids are involved too, especially with cattle work and 4-H dairy projects.
The Ruens stay involved beyond their farm. Nick serves on the Fillmore County Cattlemen’s board and volunteers at community events. Trista supports church, school, 4-H and youth programs. Donnie remains active with the American Legion and Holt Township. It’s a family effort, both on the farm and in the community.
Families from around the state, including the Ruens, will be officially recognized in a ceremony Thursday, August 7 at the annual Farmfest near Redwood Falls, Minn. Profiles of all the 2025 honorees and information on the recognition event can be found on the University’s farm family website, extension.umn.edu/farm-families.
The Ruen family will also be honored at the Fillmore County Fair in Preston, Minn., on Friday, July 25, 2025. at 6 p.m. in the livestock barn prior to the 4-H premium auction.
Honored families are chosen, one per county, by local University of Minnesota Extension committees based on their demonstrated commitment to their communities and to enhancing and supporting agriculture.
“These farm families are a major driver of Minnesota’s economy and the vitality of Minnesota’s rural communities,” said Bev Durgan, dean of the University of Minnesota Extension. “The University of Minnesota is proud to recognize these farm families for their contributions to agriculture and their communities.”
Along with Farmfest, University units sponsoring the recognition event include the University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, and the College of Veterinary Medicine.
If you would like to nominate a family for Farm Family of the Year in 2026 please reach out to your local Extension Educator. Residents in Fillmore and Houston counties can call 507-765-3896 or 507-725-5807.
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