Cass County Board: County honors Marlin and Kathy Torkelson as Farm Family of the Year

   FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP—University of Minnesota Extension Service recognized Marlin and Kathy Torkelson as Cass County Farm Family of the Year during the Tuesday, Sept. 21, Cass County Board meeting. Due to harvesting crops, the Torkelsons were unable to attend the meeting to accept the award, but Greg Booth and Susan Harrison representing the Cass County Extension Committee shared the background information with the board.

   The Torkelson farm has been in the family for 75 years with Marlin’s parents beginning the homestead back in 1946 by purchasing 120 acres. In 1947 they built a dairy barn and began milking cows. The farm continuted to be a dairy farm until 1992, when Marlin purchased 50 black angus heifers. The farm has now grown to 1400 acres with 11 land transactions and 800 rented acres.

   The Torkelson’s met in the area and married in 1979. They have one son, Eric, who showed interest in the family business at the age of 13 when he began purchasing his own herd. He is now married, with a child on the way, and lives close by. In 2014 the Torkelsons became the Torkelson Cattle Co. LLC and now maintain 350 cows and background calves. 

   Along with raising cattle, the family also grows corn,oats and hay with soybeans added this year. In the past Marlin served on the Wilson Township board as supervisor for over 35 years, he was a member of the USDA-FSA Crow Wing/Cass County committee for the past nine years and previously served as a member on the Land O’ Lakes board. 

   The Farm Family of the Year Program works to recognize families who have demonstrated a commitment to enhancing and supporting agriculture in their communities.