Thursday’s Brown County Fair Senior Day Program was filled with a variety of interesting information, along with a performance done by the “Ken and Ken Show.” To kick off the event, the “Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year” award was given out to Pat Stevermer of Sleepy Eye.
“I wasn’t expecting it. I feel very honored and I am thankful for those who thought of me for the award,” Stevermer said.
Pat Stevermer was recognized for many achievements. Stevermer taught grades seven through twelve for eight and a half years, taught adult classes, was a girl scout leader, was the Director of Community Education, and won the Community educator award in 2002. Stevermer is also a mother of three and a grandmother of six.
“I am proud to have been an educator and a volunteer for many organizations and am glad to use my gift of organization and being a people person to accomplish these things,” Stevermer said.
Following the “Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year” award, the farm family of the year award was given to Loran and Heidi Sellner.
The Sellner farm was formed in 1858 by great great grandfather Hubert Zander. The farm contains 300 acres of land, has roughly 200 cows, and grows corn, soybeans, and more.
Loran and Heidi Sellner’s daughter Gracie talked about what life was like on the farm.
“It’s always an adventure, we never have a set schedule,” Sellner said.
Next up was the recognition of the Douglas Schwartz family farm as a century farm. The farm was originally purchased in 1900 by Douglas Schwartz’s great grandfather August for the price of $31.25 per acre. The farm grows corn and soybeans, and has milked 40-50 cows for 50 years. Schwartz shared his favorite thing about farming.
“Fieldwork is the best, you’re out in nature getting fresh air and there’s always something going on,” Schwartz said.
Schwartz followed this by sharing advice to young farmers. “Just stick with it and be creative,” Schwartz said.
Citizens Agency and Allina Health also had a section, with their speakers sharing helpful information regarding insurance and fitness. Wrapping things up, “The Ken and Ken Show” did a performance, singing songs by Johnny Cash, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, and many more.