By Jolene FarleyThe Glen and Ann Boeve family, Steen, has been recognized as the 2003 Rock County Farm Family of the Year. "It’s an honor to be picked," Glen Boeve said. "We were kind of surprised. It was a nice surprise."The annual award recognizes outstanding farm families from across Minnesota for their contributions to agriculture and their communities. The Boeves and 52 other farm families will be recognized on Sunday, Aug. 24, at the Minnesota State Fair with a special program and reception. Glen and Ann Boeve raise soybeans, corn, corn silage, oatlage and alfalfa. They also finish beef cattle and own a farrowing unit where they raise isowean pigs from nursery to finish. They contract with an Arizona dairy to raise Holstein heifers, 300 pounds to Springers. Glen said the thing he enjoys most about farming is "independence and doing what I really like to do." He also enjoys working with his family. Glen began farming in 1972 in partnership with his parents, Art and Henrietta Boeve. After Glen and Ann married in 1976, they moved to a neighboring farm. G&A Farms Inc. was formed in 1992 and their son, Matt, joined the corporation in 1998.The Boeves said they feel very fortunate to be able to farm with their parents and their son. A good inter-generational working relationship has allowed them to maintain their family farming operation. Glen said he doesn’t think the farming industry has become more difficult in recent years. "We’re quite diversified," he said. "It all has its ups and downs. It’s hard to be on the ups all the time. You just try to stay on top of things and do the best job you can do."Glen and Ann are active in their community. Glen is involved with the Rock County Pork Producers, Rock/Nobles County Cattlemen’s Association, Corn/Soybean Association, Farm Bureau, and served on the boards for Rock County Rural Water and Rock County Coop. He currently is a member of the Steen Reformed Church board. Ann serves on the Hills-Beaver Creek School Board and teaches Catechism and Bible School at Steen Reformed Church. She is a past member of the Rock County Family Coordinating Council.In addition to their son, the Boeves have two daughters, Tara and Erin. Tara attends Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D, and Erin is a senior at Hills-Beaver Creek High School.
