Greg, Kari Scholtz family named Farm Family of the Year

Over 70 families from around the state have been named “2012 Farm Family of the Year” by the University of Minnesota.

For the Greg and Kari Scholtz family, it’s an honor, they said, to think that someone sees them as making a difference in their community of Comfrey.

“If one person is involved it’s one thing,” patriarch of the farm, Greg said, “ours is a family effort and a family farm.”

Greg began farming with his parents, Dennis and Diana Scholtz, in 1983, when he rented his first acreage from his grandfather, Leonard Scholtz. In 1985, Greg was married to Kari Schmitz of Springfield. Soon after, they purchased their farm site northwest of Comfrey. Today their farm consists of approximately 550 crop acres growing corn, soybeans, alfalfa and peas and sweetcorn for Del Monte.

They also have a cow/calf operation of 120 Angus and Angus-based cows, which Greg and Kari said began initially as a 4-H project. While Greg and Kari manage the farm, all of the Scholtz children, Chris, Andy and Emily, continue to play an important role on the farm.

The Scholtzs said they transitioned away from dairy after being married for about eight years. They also had a wein to finish hog operation at one time.

Eldest son, Chris, lives on the farmstead that was established in 1874, by Greg’s great-great-grandfather Johann Wendt. Johann died at age 103, but lived on the farm even after he turned 100 years old.

That first farmstead was a dairy farm and at one time the barn used for milking burned down. When the barn was rebuilt, the family believes it was one of the first modern milking parlors in Brown County. It consisted of a four-cow parlor where cows were milked and fed in the same spot.

As time went on and the family grew and changed, so did the farm. Once primarly a milking farm, it is now a crop and cattle farm.

“The biggest challenge to maintaining a family farm is going to be in the coming years,” Kari said. “We are hoping as the kids get older and choose to farm on a small basis there will always be something for them.” 

Chris lives on the orignal family homestead and has worked the past three years at Bruggeman Company, Inc. Andy is currently a junior at South Dakota State University majoring in agriculture business. He said his current 10 year plan is hopefully to own a cattle farm. Currently he owns a small head of nine cows on the family farm.

Youngest daughter, Emily, is a sophomore at South Dakota State University studying animal science. She also credits her parents and the Minnesota Youth Beef Experience Program (MYBEP) for helping her establish her herd of six head of cattle.

Andy attributes his knowledge and desire of farming and his cow operation not only to his parents, but also the MYBEP.

The purpose of this program is to aid youth in getting a start in the beef cattle business by awarding heifer calves to program participants on the basis of merit, need, future goals and ability to care for the animal.

Recently, Andy and Emily attended a national junior leadership conference, called LEAD (Leaders Engaged in Angus Development) in Denver, Colo.

They learned about setting goals for themselves and their association, and methods of accomplishing those goals. They were able to tour one of the most prestigious cattle ranches in the nation, as well as visit other facilities associated with cattle ranching, to gain a better understanding of the industry.

Aside from education and real-world knowledge gained, Kari says maintaining and managing a family farm takes teamwork.

“What one person enjoys they also provide as a strength,” she said. “Everyone has their own little niche.” 

She also credits much of their success to their ag lenders at F&M Bank in Springfield and the help and support of their extended families.

“Without the involvement of our entire family, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” Kari said.

The family currently farms with Greg’s parents while Kari’s parents have been an integral part in raising the family on the farm and helping with different labor.

Working the land is peaceful and has given The Scholtzs a place to raise a family.

“It really takes a community to raise your children and that’s what our community has to offer. Family values come from the farm and the communities that support those farms. We’ve enjoyed our farming career,” Kari said. “We aren’t doing anything special except what all farm families do–give back to their community.”