The Kohl’s family has been named the 2023 Sibley County Farm Family of the Year by the University of Minnesota.
Tony and Katherine Kohls have deep roots in agriculture and a shared passion for the dairy industry, and knew they wanted the same for their own children. This lead them to reside in rural Sibley County where they could raise their family in the country. Tony farms alongside his brother Jeff. They milk 285 Holstein and Jersey cows on an operation just down the road from Tony and Katherine’s which is home to 60 of their elite show cattle and future sale animals.
Tony is the primary caretaker of all the animals and works on the operation. Katherine helps before and after work with chores. Their oldest daughter Brooklyn cares for her show animals and always makes sure there is enough hay for every animal. Their son, Bryce loves everything about farming and is a great helper when it comes to moving cattle and driving the Bobcat. Their youngest, Blakely enjoys caring for the calves, feeding them grain and giving their bottles of milk.
The Kohls family often opens up their farm for educational opportunities, hosting events such as the Arlington Chamber of Commerce Breakfast on the Farm and an annual Twilight Meeting for local and state Holstein Associations. Tony and Katherine have also hosted the UW River Falls and University of Minnesota Dairy Judging Teams for yearly dairy judging practice. Tony was recently elected to the Minnesota Holstein Association Board of Directors and serves as the president of the Sibley County Holstein Association. They are also heavily involved in their church, holding various volunteer and leadership positions.
The families will be officially recognized in a ceremony Thursday, Aug. 3 at the annual Farm Fest near Redwood Falls, MN. Profiles of the 2023 honorees and information on the recognition event can be found on the University’s farm family page. The Kohl's Family will also be recognized at the Sibley County Fair on Saturday, Aug. 5 at 2 p.m.
Honored families are chosen, one per county, by local University of Minnesota Extension committees based on their demonstrated commitment to their communities and to enhancing and supporting agriculture.