Rural Pine River family recognized as Cass County Farm Family of the Year

WILSON TOWNSHIP — John and Lottie Teune, of rural Pine River, are the Cass County Farm Family of the Year.

The Teunes were recognized for the honor by the University of Minnesota Extension Service during the Tuesday, June 21, Cass County Board meeting at Wilson Township Town Hall, south of Pine River.

Both John and Lottie were raised on family farms: John in Steen and Lottie in Luverne. John is a Vietnam veteran and Lottie was an accountant. After they married in 1972, the Teunes quickly started their joint farm ventures in southwest Minnesota.

The two purchased land near Pine River and moved there in 1981.

The Teunes’ farm is 1,700 acres. Over 50 years of farming, the two have raised sheep, quarter horses, pigs, dairy cattle and dairy heifers. From 1987-97, they operated a feed store from a building on the farm.

As of now, they stock cows and finish their calves along with raising corn, beans and alfalfa.

Although John and Lottie started the farm, they said it takes a family effort to keep it going. Nicole and Jon Johnson, their daughter and son-in-law, now live on and work the farm with help from John, who goes to the farm every day from his and Lottie’s new home on the river.

The Teunes have three other adult children: Heather, Heidi and Bradley, and six grandchildren. The Johnsons' three children enjoy helping on the farm and learning all about what it takes to run a farm.

John Teune said he enjoys the rewards of the farming lifestyle: being one’s own boss, doing things one’s own way, being outdoors and working around livestock. Lottie has stayed home raising kids and has enjoyed being close to them while running a family business.

The Teunes have worked on watershed conservation with the Pine River Watershed Alliance and Cass County Soil and Water Conservation District in developing the best farming practices for creek bed restoration, reducing runoff from farm fields and experimenting with cover crops that can help reduce runoff and protect the watersheds.

This is work the Johnsons will continue to pursue into the future, they said.

The Farm Family of the Year Program works to recognize families who have demonstrated a commitment to enhancing and supporting agriculture in their communities.

Katelyn DeLost is a Cass County correspondent.