Posted: 7/26/06
Nessel Township family is Farm Family of the Year
 The Bismark family (left to right:) Katie Hokanson, Michael Bismark, Brad and Lani Bismark, Bethani and Jesse Gerhard, Peter Bismark |
By Steve Morris
A Nessel Township family was recently awarded the honor of Farm Family of the Year for Chisago County. The Bismark family will be honored Aug. 3 at the 25th annual Farmfest in Redwood County.
Brad Bismark, in all his years of farming and raising a family, has never won any such award. The last time he won an award related to farming was when he was in 4-H and Future Farmers of America as a youth.
ìItís an honor, it really is,î he said.
The Farm Family Recogni-tion program is statewide and has been honoring families in Chisago County since 1980. It works in accordance with the University of Minnesota Extension Service. A total of 56 families will be honored this year at Farmfest. In a press release, the University of Minnesota Extension Service director Bev Durgan said farm families are the foundation of Minnesota agriculture.
ìThe farm family work ethic is the major contributor to the success of Minnesota communities and Minnesota agriculture,î she said.
The Chisago County Exten-sion committee interviews community members for possible selection. The com-mittee gathers names and then discusses them at a meeting. From there, a decision is made based on certain criteria set by the U of M.
Brad and his wife Lani, raised three kids, Beth, Mike and Pete, on their family farm 10 miles west of Rush City. All three have grown and moved on, but Brad and Lani remain active on the farm and in the community. (all their children were active on the farm growing up.)
Brad Bismark has had a long history of volunteering in the community. He has been the vice president of the Chisago County Agriculture Department, supervisor of the Nessel Town board, served on the Farm Service Agency, volunteers at Stanchfield Baptist Church, was on the Isanti County Farm Service Board, was on the Chisago County fairboard and was a past member of the Braham co-op. When he tallied the yearly hours he spends on community service, Brad said he easily volunteers around 150 hours a year.
ìItís a lot of volunteer time,î he said.
Highly respected family
Chisago County Commissioner Lynn Schultz, is on the County Extensive board. Schultz, whose family won the award in 1987, said the Bismarkís community involvement was a significant reason they were selected.
ìFarm families donít get enough recognition,î she said. ìThe Bismark family is a highly respected and hard working family.î
Schultz contacted the Bismark family in May and informed them of their award. She spoke with Lani Bismark.
ìShe was very surprised and humble about the award,î Schultz said.
Brad Bismark farms nearly 700 acres of cash crops, such as wheat, corn, soybeans and hay. In addition to the crops, they have around 40 animals on the farm. The Bismarks used to have dairy cattle, but in 1997 quit and focused on cash crops.
Brad Bismark has made farming and agriculture his life. He was raised on a farm and has spent his lifetime connected to the farming community.
In a questionnaire he answered for the University of Minnesota Farm Extension, Brad said he was blessed to grow up on a farm.
ìLooking back at growing up and moving into adulthood on our family farm was the best teaching and life experience one could have,î he said. ìI had great loving grandparents who had the patience to nurture and teach me life experiences.î
To get the award, the Bismarkís had to meet criteria set forth by the University of Minnesota Extension Service: be a Minnesota food producers actively involved in agriculture with one or more agricultural enterprises or have made significant short-term progress and or innovative contributions with agricultural endeavors.
Nomineeís should also have demonstrated a commitment to their community and to enhancing the fields and agriculture production.
Schultz is happy Chisago County farmers have the opportunity to get recognized.
ìI am glad the University of Minnesota has found a way to continue to honor the folks that are the backbone of our country,î she said.
Comment from Deborah Gerrety, 7/31/06
Way to go Brad and Lani. I am so proud of your accomplishments. Love your sister, Deb
Comment from Bob and Alice Lysdahl, 7/31/06
Yahoo Brad and Lani! It is the farm families (families - families - families) and church that keep this country stable. And Brad and Lani represent both. Keep up the good work!!!
Comment from Gayle Adams McMullen, 7/31/06
Wonderful to hear the U of M Extension Service acknowledges our farm families. The Bismark family is every bit as the article states; humble, loving and fully centered in the values of farm living and family life. Everyone who meets them quickly can see they are the salt of the earth. Brad's community service in sharing years of wisdom and knowledge is a great benefit to many. Thank you and your families for the hard work in maintaining and serving as examples of solid farm life. God blesses you all! Grand work for grand people! Congratulations Brad and Lani! Gayle Adams McMullen, US Bank
Comment from Barb Van Eps, 7/31/06
Congratulations, Lani and Brad. That is a super recognition!
Comment from Cindy Morrison McCorison, 8/1/06
Brad and Lani, Congratulations on your award. Our Mother's are cousins and our Grandmother's were sisters. My brother Sherman and his wife Angie were married the same year and day as you and Lani. I remember when we were kids we stopped at your farm and had our pictures taken on a pony of yours. It's nice to belong in a family who haven high standards of family and God in their lives. Cousin Cindy
Comment from Julie Gustafson, 8/1/06
Brother dear and Lani,
Over the years I have watched you grow from that pesty brother to a grown man that I actually love and respect. You are very deserving of this award and am proud of you both. We were honored and blessed to have such wonderful parents & grandparents to work along side of us. I know Mom & Dad's buttons are bursting and Grandma & Grandpa...well they shine on in you Brad! Congratulations!! Love, Julie & Steve
Comment from debbie johnson, 8/1/06
Good for you Brad and Lani. What a special honor. As you Said Brad how blessed to have been raised on a farm, but most of all by a loving family. Debbie
Comment from keith johnson , 8/4/06
Brad,Lani& family
Congratulations!!
I recall the great times we had at your Dad's farm when i would come over and visit at the shop with you,Wally,and Grandpa Bismark. I admired your family and the deep tradition of farming with pride. The shop was always kept neat and orderly ,and although your were all busy your family always took time to visit.
The Bismark fields were ,and still are ,straight rows,well cultivated,and handled with pride and respect.Pastures never over grazed, fences kept in good repair and the farm yards mowed and lush.
Thanks for all you helped me with during those years. You are a great friend and a wonderful family , they picked the best to recieve this award!!
Keith.
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