The David and Sara Tessmer family of Caledonia has been named Houston County’s “2024 Farm Family of the Year” by the University of Minnesota.
The Tessmer farm was founded in the 1870s and is a fifth-generation farm. David and Sara are taking over the family farm from David’s father, Eugene.
The Tessmers have a corn, soybean and hay cash crop operation, do custom harvesting, and have a 30-head cow and calf beef herd.
Their children, Madisyn, Makayla, Jayden, Brevyn and Laynie all help with the farm when they are available, and may be more involved in the farm in the future.
David is on the local FSA committee. Sara works at the community education office and is very involved in the community.
Families from around the state, including the Tessmers, will be officially recognized in a ceremony Thursday, August 8 at the annual Farmfest near Redwood Falls, Minn. Profiles of the 2024 honorees and information on the recognition event can be found on the University’s farm family website, https://extension.umn.edu/farm-families. The Tessmer family will also be honored at the Houston County Fair in Caledonia on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at 12 p.m. during the awards ceremony.
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.”