Staff photo by Fritz Busch Joelle Haala of New Ulm uses Oculus Gallery virtual reality equipment to tour Christensen Farms farrowing, gestation, nursery and finishing operations at the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Give Together Get Together at the Christensen Farms business office east of Sleepy Eye Tuesday. Christensen Farms Public Affairs Director JoDee Haala is pictured at right.

SLEEPY EYE — New Ulm 2023 Business of the Year winners New Ulm Real Estate and Christensen Farms celebrated their recognition by giving back to the community and encouraging others to do the same Tuesday.

Christensen Farms hosted an open house at their newly-remodeled offices on CR 10, east of Sleepy Eye. Participants were encouraged to donate to one of three chosen charities — United Way of the Brown County Area, the New Ulm Fire Department and the New Ulm Area Food Shelf.

Mary Henle, owner/broker of New Ulm Real Estate, which was the 2023 New Ulm Small Business of the Year, was thrilled with the event.

“I’m overwhelmingly grateful for all the support we’ve already received,” Henle said.

Christensen Farms Public Affairs Director Jodee Haala guided tours around the office building originally built in 1997 and remodeled in 2020.

Businesses and individuals who pledge to match donations up to $250 will be recognized in The Journal, by the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce at newulm.com, in the Chamber email newsletter and on social media. Donations can be made through the chamber of commerce or directly to the non-profit organizations of their choice.

The New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce can be emailed at chamber@ newulm.com or called at 507- 233-4300.