1.1A Senate resolution
1.2honoring the Kreitlow/Ford Family of Wright County for being named a 2017 Farm
1.3Family of the Year.
1.4WHEREAS, family farms form the foundation of Minnesota agriculture, drive Minnesota's economy,
1.5and maintain the vitality of Minnesota's rural communities; and the University of Minnesota is proud to
1.6annually recognize families from throughout the state who exemplify the contributions of family farms to
1.7the prosperity of our state; and
1.8WHEREAS, the Kreitlow and Ford farm was founded in 1898 by August and Pauline Kreitlow. The
1.9next generation to farm the land in Middleville Township was William and Esther Kreitlow. Willard Kreitlow
1.10is the third generation of the family to live on the farm and he has done so since he was born in 1922; and
1.11WHEREAS, the farm was primarily a dairy until the 1990s, when Willard sold the cows and continued
1.12to raise row crops and hay. Willard's daughter, Marienne, moved back to the farm in 2002 with her husband,
1.13Jerry Ford; and
1.14WHEREAS, the Kreitlow/Ford family credits much of their farm's success to their highly cooperative
1.15relationship with their neighbor farmers, Kevin and Kelly Stokes; and
1.16WHEREAS, the family owns 288 acres and much of that is rented by the Stokes. All of the land is
1.17farmed using soil and water conservation practices; and
1.18WHEREAS, Marienne and Jerry raise replacement heifers for the Stokes's dairy and have a small
1.19grass-finished beef herd. They also grow organic garlic and potatoes for market in addition to eggs from
1.20their laying flock; and
1.21WHEREAS, Willard is a founding member of the Wright County Parks Board and served for over
1.2240 years; he served about as long on the Soil and Water Conservation District Board; and
1.23WHEREAS, Jerry works for the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota and directs the
1.24Minnesota Garlic Festival. He is currently participating in research projects with the University of Minnesota
1.25and has volunteered with 4-H; and
1.26WHEREAS, Marienne is a professional musician who regularly works with the music program at
1.27Buffalo United Methodist Church; and
1.28NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it
1.29congratulates the Kreitlow/Ford Family of Wright County for being named a 2017 Farm Family of the Year
1.30and extends best wishes to them for the future.
1.31BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an enrolled
1.32copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the Chair of the Senate
1.33Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to the Kreitlow/Ford Family.

Cal R. LudemanSecretary of the Senate

Paul E. GazelkaChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration

Bruce D. AndersonState Senator, District 29