Jostock Family
The Jostock family farm was established in 1942 when Robert and Audrey Jostock began raising dairy cows and operating a farrow-to-finish hog operation on 200 acres overlooking the Zumbro River near Hammond.
In 1991, their son, Edwin, and his wife, Lynn, purchased the farm while raising their four children, Katie, Samantha, Alan and Rebecca. In 2015, they sold the dairy herd and transitioned to a crossbred beef herd with a focus on Red Angus cattle.
Today, Alan and his wife Betsy represent the third generation on the Jostock farm. Their daughters, Gracelyn and Alexa, are also involved in the operation. The family manages a 60-head cow-calf herd, finishing all steers hormone-free and raising their own replacement heifers.
The family also operate a 25-sow farrow-to-finish hog enterprise focused on Berkshire and Duroc genetics, raising hogs humanely and sustainably without hormones or antibiotics. Approximately 30% of their beef is sold directly to customers.
The Jostocks farm 250 acres of corn, soybeans, oats, barley and hay, utilizing no-till practices and cover crops on some acres. They have diversified in recent years by adding pumpkins, squash, popcorn and 80 laying hens, with eggs marketed directly to customers. In 2025, they were honored as the Wabasha County Conservationists of the Year.
The family is deeply engaged in their community. Edwin and Lynn previously served on the board of directors for the Minnesota Milk Producers Association. Edwin currently serves as chair of the Zumbro Township Board, president of the Wabasha County Minnesota Farmers Union and treasurer of the Wabasha County Pork Producers. He is also a past advisor for the Riverland Community College Farm Business Management Program. Lynn served as president of the Plainview Milk Products board and was a key leader for her children’s 4-H clubs. The family are members of the Wabasha Cattlemen’s Association.