Rose Family
Steve Rose began farming with his father, Frank, in 1981. That same year, he married Shirley Stiernagle. Together, they raised three daughters, Jamie, Jill and Jonie, while building a farrow-to-finish hog operation with just over 100 sows. For many years, they also sold feeder pigs, balancing farm life with off-farm work. Between 1985 and 2001, Steve worked at the Northup King seed plant in Amboy during the winters.
In 2001, the family stepped away from hogs and started a small cow/calf herd with heifers the girls had shown in 4-H. In 2010, Steve and Shirley bought out Jonie’s share of the cattle and formed Rose Cattle alongside Jamie and Jill. Today, Rose Cattle maintains a small herd and remains part of a modest corn and soybean operation.
Three generations now help on the farm. Jamie and Jill are actively involved, and their granddaughter Audrey joined in 2023 with her first show heifer. In 2024, she expanded her herd by winning a Minnesota Beef Expo heifer and purchasing two more.
Beyond the farm, the Rose family stays involved in their community and church. They serve as Sunday school teachers, board members, and club leaders. Their commitment to 4-H remains strong, from county beef leadership to donating halters for younger members. Jill now leads the Amboy Area Adventurers 4-H Club, continuing the tradition her parents started years ago. The Rose Family Farm is built on shared work, steady change and the values passed down from one generation to the next.