By Scout Nelson
An accident claimed the life of the Swenson family farm's founder, and another nearly took the third-generation owner. Despite these tragedies, the Swenson farm endures southwest of Cloquet and will soon be recognized as a Century Farm.
The Minnesota Farm Bureau and Minnesota State Fair Century Farm program annually honors family farms of at least 50 acres in size that have been in operation for 100 years or more.
The Swensons will receive their certificate at the Carlton County Fair on Friday, Aug. 16. The ceremony will also honor Pasek Dairy Farm, named the Carlton County Farm Family of the Year by the University of Minnesota Extension.
Ted mentioned their 230-acre farm in Twin Lakes Township reached the century mark in 2011. “I figured it was over,” he said. “Last fall I finally decided to go to the courthouse and find the right paperwork, and that took a long time.” With help from a Carlton County Courthouse employee, Ted found the deed showing his grandfather, Edward Theodore Swenson, received 160 acres from the U.S. government under the Homestead Act of 1862.
Edward died in 1945 in a well accident. His son, Ronald, took over, expanding the farm and starting a dairy operation. Ted became a partner in 1982, and it became Swenson’s Dairy. Like his father, Ted also worked side jobs, including engine repair and transporting liquid nitrogen.
Ted married Lynn later in life, who embraced the farm lifestyle, especially the dairy cows. “People think that cows are stupid. Well, the joke is on them because cows are smart as whips,” she said. However, the farm no longer has cows due to declining profits and Ted's accident in 2003, which left him with permanent injuries.
Photo Credit: minnesota-farm-bureau
Categories: Minnesota, General, Government & Policy