Posted 3/15/01
Two local families honored with Farm Family of the Year status
Keith and Deb Johnson of Lindstrom, and John and Jewell Peterson of Almelund, were recently honored at the annual Farm Family Recognition Program at the Radisson Hotel Metrodome as Chisago County Farm Families of the Year.
Honorees are nominated for the award by other local farm families and agricultural leaders. This is the 21st year of the program.
This year 93 families or individuals representing 64 counties were recognized, including 16 operations honored for contributions as new initiatives in agriculture.
The Petersons
The Petersons were recognized as Chisago Countyís Farm Family of the Year Initiative Award.
The family, John P. Jr. and Jewell, plus children Nicole, Natasha, Nathaniel and Nicholas, was nominated and selected by their peers for their innovativeness in production agriculture. One nominee spoke of their aggressive plan to implement no-till on all their tillable acres to conserve soils and maximize profit potential.
In addition to no-till, the Petersons have implemented strip crop farming of corn and soybeans, yield mapping, site specific fertilizer management using GPS and modify their farm implements for a variety of row spacing to name just of few of the innovations over the years.
The Petersons also own and operate Almelund Feed and Tack in Almelund. The family members are involved in the North Branch United Methodist Church, members of Chisago County Farm Bureau, and are 4-H leaders with children active in the Chisago county 4-H program.