1.1A Senate resolution
1.2honoring the Russell and Sharon Martie Family for being named a 2016 Farm Family
1.3of the Year.
1.4WHEREAS, family farms form the foundation of Minnesota agriculture, drive Minnesota's
1.5economy, and maintain the vitality of Minnesota's rural communities; and
1.6WHEREAS, the University of Minnesota is proud to annually recognize families from
1.7throughout the state who exemplify the contributions of family farms to the prosperity of our state;
1.8and
1.9WHEREAS, Russell and Sharon Martie purchased land from Sharon's brother in 1972, and
1.10over the years, they expanded their operation to 250 owned acres; and
1.11WHEREAS, in 1982, the Marties started Marties Farm Service in Elk River, eventually
1.12adding stores in Monticello and St. Francis, and they continued to farm; and
1.13WHEREAS, currently, the Martie family raises corn and hay on about 400 acres; they use
1.14no-till, plant cover crops and trees, and just recently added beehives to the farm; and
1.15WHEREAS, the operation also includes beef cows, feeder steers, donkeys, some hogs, and
1.16retired horses; Russell is also involved in sub-surface irrigation that involves about 53 acres, and
1.17he produces his own bio-diesel; and
1.18WHEREAS, the Marties were named "Outstanding Conservationists for 2015" by the Wright
1.19County Soil and Water Conservation District"; and
1.20WHEREAS, Russell and Sharon's son Rusty and his wife Beth manage the Elk River Store;
1.21son Paul and his wife Jodi manage the St. Francis store; and daughter Barb and her husband Brion
1.22manage the store in Monticello, while Trevor, Jason, and John Martie are also involved in the farm
1.23and the stores; and
2.1WHEREAS, on Thursday, August 4, the Russell and Sharon Martie Family will be recognized
2.2by the University of Minnesota as a 2016 Farm Family of the Year at the annual Farmfest event at
2.3the Gilfillan Estate, near Redwood Falls; and
2.4NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it
2.5congratulates the Russell and Sharon Martie Family on being named a 2016 Farm Family of the
2.6Year.
2.7BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an
2.8enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the
2.9Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to the Russell and Sharon
2.10Martie Family.

JoAnne M. ZoffSecretary of the Senate

Thomas M. BakkChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration

Bruce D. AndersonState Senator, District 29