When driving through the countryside north of Lanesboro, keep an eye on the road – especially near the Hazel farms. “Watch out for the worms!” pleaded Brian Hazel with a grin. “They do our tillage work.”
The Hazel family’s deep ties to the land date back to the Great Depression. Brian’s grandfather, co-signed a note with a friend for property near where the bike trail now crosses County Highway 17, between Lanesboro and Preston. But like so many others during that era, the family lost the farm.
Around 1936, the family started over by purchasing a foreclosed farm. Brian’s son Adam and his wife Maggie now call that place home. At the time of purchase, the property included about 260 acres, but only 70 acres were tillable and there are bluffs, leaving relatively little land suitable for farming. There wasn’t enough to make a living for two families.
Brian’s father, Roy O. Hazel, the youngest of five, two brothers and two sisters, stayed on the farm and worked the land with his parents, Roy Walter and Theo Hazel. In 1947, they built a second home to support the growing family.
Brian eventually took over the farming operation after college and working for the Federal Land Bank in Blooming Prairie for three years. It is there that he met his wife Judy. They married in 1979 and bought the upper farm that fall.
When Brian was young, the family raised chickens, pigs, and dairy cattle. Over time, the chickens were phased out, followed by the pigs as the operation focused on dairy. The dairy operation eventually moved to the upper farm. The dairy herd eventually grew to 320 cows. The dairy herd was sold in March 2021.
As Brian explained, dairy farms evolve, slowly expanding, “Every 10 years you make a move in the dairy industry.” Their farm, like many others, evolved gradually with each new chapter.
Judy taught Home Economics in Lanesboro for about 15 years. The couple raised three children, all of whom now work in agriculture.
Their daughter Amy manages the Minnesota Dairy Herd Improvement Association (MNDHIA), their daughter Amber is a veterinarian, and their son Adam earned a degree in Soil Science from UW – River Falls.
Adam and his wife Maggie now live on the original family farm. “I focus on crop production and soil science,” he explained. “It’s about monitoring growth, rotating cover crops, and protecting the land.”
The benefits of their no-till, cover crop system are clear: improved soil health, reduced costs, and better water quality. With equipment like a planter, sprayer, and combine, Adam works to make sure the topsoil stays in place. “We’re making sure it’s not washing or blowing away,” he said.
For the Hazels, farming methods are shaped by the land. “There are lots of ways to farm,” Brian said. “This is the path that fits our topography the best.”
Both generations continue to learn and adapt. Brian explained that he learned a lot by serving on the Fillmore County Soil and Water Conservation Board and regularly attends educational webinars. Adam embraces self-sufficiency and innovation.
From Depression era hardship to modern sustainable farming, the Hazel family’s story is rooted in resilience, and soil full of life.
Leave a Reply