Sorensen’s named Freeborn County farm family of the year

The Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce Agricultural Committee held it’s 19th annual Ag Luncheon last month for area farmers and agricultural producers to talk to about concerns in their communities and celebrate the work of local farmers.

 

The summit featured Darin Johnson, vice president of the Minnesota Soybean Grower’s Association as a guest speaker and also announced the Freeborn County Farm Family of the year.

 

The Sorensen family from Alden, Minnesota were declared the winners for 2024 for the family’s contributions to the town’s 4-H and Future Farmers of America program.

 

Johnson also spoke on the current state of the agriculture industry in Minnesota, prompting discussion on issues such as the ongoing drought in the state, how it might affect future yields and how 97 percent of farms in the state are still family owned and contributing to thirty percent of the state’s gross domestic product.

 

The speaker also brought up how the Soybean Grower’s Association has been lobbying in Washington D.C. to get the farm bill passed before labor day, to try to avoid stimulus for local farmers becoming a political issue.

 

According to Johnson having luncheons like the this are important for local growers to get together and talk as a community.

 

"It's always great to get everyone together and have discussions because farms are built around families," Johnson said.

 

Despite the ongoing drought, Johnson was also optimistic about the chance for more precipitation going into the 2024 growing season and the potential yields from corn and soybean producers going into this fall.

 

The Sorensons

This year's Farm Family of the Year was James and Jacque Sorensen of Alden. Not only have the Sorensens lived and worked on their family farm for generations, they are also active members of the community, being present in area sports, church events and other local committees.

 

"This family has always done more than just show up," said Minnesota Extension Regional Director Christy Kallevig.

 

The couple stood to receive an official plaque and cookies with their young grandsons, Brecken and Caden Sorensen. They also each delivered a few words of gratitude.

 

"I think being in a community is what it's all about," Jacque Sorensen said.

 

The family will be recognized again at the Farm Fest event in August.

 

Kallevig also recognized past winners of the Farm Family of the Year Award, asking them to stand and be recognized.

 

Guests were served a meal and enjoyed friendly conversation before the program officially began.

 

The guest speaker of the luncheon was Darin Johnson, a fourth generation farmer of Johnson Farms in Wells, which he co-owns with his uncle.

 

Additionally, Johnson is the vice president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and the upcoming president of the organization.

 

Key elements of Johnson's speech included the importance of family farms in the rural Midwest.

 

"Agriculture simply equals family," Johnson said. "It really is the engine that drives the Midwest economy."

 

Johnson spoke about trips he had taken to promote U.S. agriculture in other parts of the world such as Brazil, China and the Philippines. He also shared that he is cautiously optimistic about the upcoming farm bill being passed through Congress. In closing, Johnson ended his speech reminding those present of why area agriculture is so vital:

 

"Let us remember that behind every statistic and every acre of land, there are families like mine and all of yours who embrace the values of hard work, resilience and stewardship of the land," he said. "The stories remind us of the importance of supporting and preserving family farms not just for the sake of agriculture, but for the future of our communities."