Dennis and Nancy Benson of Verndale have been named Wadena County's 2010 Farm Family of the Year by the University of Minnesota.
Dennis and Nancy bought their farm in 1972 and today own and operate a 630 acre Black Angus Beef farm.
The Bensons are one of 73 farm families from around the state, one from each participating county, being honored by the University this year.
The families will be officially recognized in a ceremony Thursday, Aug. 5 at the annual Farmfest near Redwood Falls, Minn. Profiles of the 2010 honorees and information on the recognition event can be found on the University's farm family website, mnfarmfamilies.cfans.umn.edu.
Families receiving honors were selected by their local county Extension committees and have demonstrated a commitment to enhancing and supporting agriculture and agriculture production.
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"Almost all Minnesota farms are family farms," said Bev Durgan, dean of University of Minnesota Extension. "These farm families are a major driver of Minnesota's economy and the vitality of Minnesota's rural communities. The University of Minnesota is proud to recognize these farm families for their contribution to agriculture and their communities."
Along with Farmfest, University units sponsoring the recognition event include University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, and the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Farmfest runs Aug. 3-5 at the Gilfillan Estate, near Redwood Falls, Minn. Event hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 3 and 4, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 5. Admission is $10 per person, and those 18 and under are admitted free. More information on Farmfest is available at www.farmshows.com/ffst .
