Leaderbrands to be recognized as a Farm Family of the Year

Seventy-five families from throughout Minnesota are being honored as a 2013 Farm Family of the Year by the University of Minnesota, including one from Otter Tail County, the Leaderbrands of rural New York Mills.
    The families will be recognized in ceremonies on Aug. 8 at the annual Minnesota Farmfest near Redwood Falls.   Local University of Minnesota Extension committees chose the families for demonstrating commitment to enhancing and supporting agriculture.   “Farm families and agriculture are a major driver of Minnesota’s economy and the vitality of Minnesota’s rural communities,” said Bev Durgan, dean of University of Minnesota Extension. “The University of Minnesota is proud to recognize these outstanding families for their contributions to agriculture and their communities.   The Leaderbrand brothers, Jay and Wayne, will be receiving the award. They are the third generation of Leaderbrands to run the family farm. The original farmstead was started in the 1920s by their grandfather, Henry Leaderbrand.   The brothers run a diversified farm. They typically have about 200 beef cows and 150 sows, as well as 20 sheep. They also have about 700 acres of rotating crops.    Seventy-five families from throughout Minnesota are being honored as a 2013 Farm Family of the Year by the University of Minnesota, including one from Otter Tail County, the Leaderbrands of rural New York Mills.
  The families will be recognized in ceremonies on Aug. 8 at the annual Minnesota Farmfest near Redwood Falls. Local University of Minnesota Extension committees chose the families for demonstrating commitment to enhancing and supporting agriculture. “Farm families and agriculture are a major driver of Minnesota’s economy and the vitality of Minnesota’s rural communities,” said Bev Durgan, dean of University of Minnesota Extension. “The University of Minnesota is proud to recognize these outstanding families for their contributions to agriculture and their communities. The Leaderbrand brothers, Jay and Wayne, will be receiving the award. They are the third generation of Leaderbrands to run the family farm. The original farmstead was started in the 1920s by their grandfather, Henry Leaderbrand. The brothers run a diversified farm. They typically have about 200 beef cows and 150 sows, as well as 20 sheep. They also have about 700 acres of rotating crops.