Rognes Family
The farm where Paul and Becky Rognes raise their family was started in 1966 by Paul’s dad, Mike. Prior to that, Paul’s great-grandfather and grandfather farmed near Lake Mills, Iowa. That makes Paul the fourth generation to be in agriculture, and the second to farm this particular stretch of ground in southern Minnesota.
Today, they raise corn and soybeans in rotation and manage a few farms enrolled in the USDA Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP.) Alongside their own acres, they do full custom farming for two neighboring families. They also run a seed dealership, offering several brands to local farmers, a venture Paul has really grown over the years.
Paul takes care of most of the fieldwork and seed sales. Becky, Lindsey and Leah help keep the office in order and pitch in with whatever is needed, especially making sure lunch gets to the field during spring and fall. Everyone is involved when things get busy.
The family stays active in the community. Their daughters grew up in 4-H. Leah spent this past summer running Learning Labs at local county fairs, and recently graduated from South Dakota State University with a degree in agriculture. They also put their time into programs like the LIFE Center of Freeborn County, Night to Shine and Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch, supporting events that promote inclusion within their community. They sponsor the Freeborn County Corn Growers golf outing each year and are members of the Minnesota Corn Growers. The family attends Crossroads Church and the girls are active in the church’s young adult Bible study.