The Mike and Nancy Sandager family from Hills has been recognized by the University of Minnesota as the "2005 Rock County Farm Family of the Year."The Sandager family is among 61 farm families from throughout Minnesota being recognized by the University. Farmfest organizers and the University will honor all of them at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3, at the Farmfest event near Redwood Falls. The Sandagers will also be honored at the Rock County Fair. The Sandager family is recognized for their contributions to the agricultural industry, their community and the state. Farm families receiving honors have demonstrated a commitment to enhancing and supporting agriculture and agricultural production.In 1883 the farm was homesteaded by Mike’s great-grandfather, Simon Skovgaard. In 1993 the homestead received the Century Farm designation. In 1980, Mike started farming after graduating from the U of M with a degree in agronomy and animal science. The Sandager farm has hosted many foreign exchange students through the (MAST) Minnesota Agricultural Student Trainee program that lived and worked with the family on the farm. Mike and Gene (Mike’s brother) currently operate a partnership called Hills Bros. They produce crops of corn, soybeans, alfalfa and grass hay along with their calving operation, haying and commercial trucking. Nancy is the 4-H Program Coordinator in Rock County and also does the bookkeeping and farm management records. She also serves on the Bethlehem Church Council. Mike belonged to the Rock Nobles Cattleman’s Association for 15 years, is involved with the Rock County Corn & Soybean Association, is a member of the Feedlot Task Force and serves on the Board of Directors for Tuff Memorial Home and the Bethlehem Church Council. The entire family is active in the 4-H Youth Development Program. The Sandagers’ three children, Katie, 19, Becca, 16, and Nick, 13, help with the haying operation and have their own livestock chores as part of 4-H projects with sheep and horses. University of Minnesota units cooperating in this award include the College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences; the Extension Service; the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station; and the College of Veterinary Medicine. Some other farm families that were selected in southwest Minnesota include: oCottonwood County, Dean and Elizabeth Johnson, oJackson County, Myron and Janice NelsonoMurray County, Jim and Wendy Bushena,oNobles County, Chad and Stacey Hokeness; Jack and Jane Hokeness,oPipestone County, Curt and Diane Johnson.
