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PINE RIVER-Susan Wake, Cass County Extension Committee, presented the 2017 Cass County Farm Family of the Year award to Roy and Tamara Bell, owners of Bell's Rawhide Ranch at Tuesday's Cass County Board meeting.

Roy Bell grew up on a rural Motley dairy farm not far from his present ranch.

He attended Crookston Vo-Tech, where he was on the livestock judging team and was awarded the True Grit award as the student who actively participates and encourages others to participate in agricultural and animal sciences.

While at Crookston, he worked for the Crookston Cattle Company. He gained work experience in Colorado, Oregon and Minnesota before purchasing his current ranch in 1993.

He started with 50 registered Herefords.

Roy has been active on the Minnesota Grazing Lands Association, served as president, vice president and director for the Minnesota Cattlemen's Association and has served six years on the Minnesota Beef Council.

Prior to marrying Roy, Tamara ran her own farm in Ottertail. In addition to working with Roy on their ranch, Tamara works as a cook at Motley school.

Their ranch has grown to a 380 cow-calf operation. They also own 20 horses.

At one time, they owned 60 horses and taught groups of children to ride.

The ranch covers 500 acres they own and 2,500 they rent. Annually, they sell coming 2-year-old and yearling bulls.

They put up 300 acres of hay, but hope eventually to purchase all their hay and run more cattle on their property. They practice rotational grazing to build up organic matter in the pastures, which allows them to sustain more head per acre.

The Bells have four grown children between them.

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