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Pope County Tribune - Starbuck Times
Written by Chad Koenen - Starbuck Times New Editor   
Monday, 16 August 2010 14:01
Maanum's Named Farm Family Of The Year

For the Maanum family, farming is much more than a way to pay the bills-it is a way of life.

Now in its third and fourth generations, the Maanum family farm has been a staple in the rural Farwell area for over 100 years.

The original house that Lyle Maanum's grandpa built when he purchased the homestead between 1908-1909 still towers over the farm site. In its shadows the Maanum family scurry across the farm site getting ready to feed cattle, hogs and prepare for the fall harvest.

Now run by Lyle, Wade and Joel Maanum and their families, the farm which was purchased in the early 1900s, still produces cattle, pigs, and a variety of crops each year.

While the farm remains in the Maanum family, its size now dwarfs the original 125 acres Lyle's grandpa purchased. Today, the family farm is around 1,900 acres of land, which is both owned and rented each year. While the farm is bigger, the family part of the Maanum family farm is as strong today as it was over 102 years ago.

With the family's long history in Pope County, as well as their pride on family farming, the Maanum's were named as the 2010 Pope County Farm Family of the Year.

"(We were) kind of surprised I guess," said Lyle Maanum when they learned of the honor.

One of 73 families from across the state that was honored by the award. Each county that participates in the program picks a family to honor each year. The families are selected by the local county Extension committee and have demonstrated a commitment to enhancing and supporting agriculture and agricultural production.

"Almost all Minnesota farms are family farms," said Bev Durgan, dean of University of Minnesota Extension in a press release. "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."

Families who were honored as a Farm Family of the Year received special recognition at Farmfest in Redwood Falls, and Lyle said the Maanum's will also be recognized at the Pope County Fair this week.

Lyle said the family was honored to be selected and has enjoyed the time he has spent working with his son's and grandchildren on the farm.

The Maanum family members who were selected as the Farm Family of the Year include: Lyle and Marlene Maanum, Wade and Jeannie Maanum and their three children, as well as Joel and Jody Maanum and their two children.