LAFAYETTE — Lowell and Adrianne Sjostrom continue to live on the original family farm that dates back to 1865, a half mile north of Bernadotte Lutheran Church.

They don’t milk cows anymore, but they still cut their own grass, which is no small task.

“It takes one mower about five hours to cut the grass, so we got another mower,” said Adrianne Sjostrom.

Sjostrom Farms, operated by Steve and Deb Sjostrom and their son Jacob with help from Steve’s father Lowell, continue to farm east of Lafayette, a few miles from Steve’s parents.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Steve, Lowell and Jacob Sjostrom stand in front of their John Deere combine on Steve Sjostrom’s farm several miles east of Lafayette.

Steve and Deb lived on the original family farm when they were newlyweds.

“Nearly 30 years ago, we switched places,” said Lowell Sjostrom.

His wife Adrianne grew up on the original family farm that was honored by the Minnesota Farm Bureau as a Sesquicentennial (150 year) Farm in 2016.

“That farm was owned by my grandparents, Alfred and Esther Palmer who operated the Bernadotte store until moving to the farm. The 120-acre farm was originally purchased by Frank Hed in 1865,” she said.

Corn, soybeans, grain, alfalfa, dairy, sheep and hogs were produced and raised on the original farm that sits on high land, a half mile north of Bernadotte Lutheran Church, where Adrianne was baptized and confirmed.

Photo courtesy of Lowell and Adrianne Sjostrom The original Sjostrom family farm was photographed a few years ago in the winter time. It was named Sesquicentennial (150 year) Farm in 2016 by the Minnesota Farm Bureau.

“It’s been remodeled several times. There was a summer kitchen at one point. Sometimes, two families lived here. It’s always been in the family,” said Adrianne. “My dad (Dennis Palmer) had dairy here. I helped milk where Steve (Sjostrom) lives now. We often went back and forth between farms. I helped milk cows until I was 75.”

“They remodeled the milking parlor, putting the cows up higher, so it was hard for her to reach them,” said Lowell.

She and Lowell still cut their own grass and keep a garden at the farm.

“It took about five hours with one mower, so we got another one,” said Adrianne. “We enjoy country living. That’s for sure. We want to be on the farm as long as we can. I’ve always cooked a lot.”

She graduated from high school in Winthrop. He graduated from Gaylord High School. They both graduated from the University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus and came back home, got married and farmed.

“We called it a mixed marriage,” she said.

Lowell and Steve Sjostrom formed Sjostrom Farms in 1980 as a father and son partnership. They began milking 80 cows, running 500 acres. The operation grew to 90 cows, 900 acres of corn, soybeans and alfalfa, producing custom round bails and harvesting corn silage.

Steve’s wife Deb helps run the farm. Their son Lucas provides homegrown dairy steers. Lowell helped out with daily supervising and feeding cows. Jacob’s wife Lindsay delivers food and parts.

Sjostrom Farms milk is sold to Bongards. The Sjostroms do a variety area of custom work.

“Custom work helps us out now. Equipment is so expensive now, you either have to run lots of land or do custom work to make the equipment worth it,” Steve said. “Lowell helps make sure we are on schedule. He’s down to about 40 hours a week now.”

Steve, Deb and Jacob are very involved in the community. Steve serves on many boards including the church council, cemetery board, Heartland Corn Products Board, Bernadotte Township, Nicollet County Corn and Soybean Growers, Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) and Lafayette Lions. Deb was involved with the church board, Nicollet County American Dairy Association (ADA) Board, Bernadotte 4-H leader and Lafayette Lions. Jacob is the Nicollet County DHIA treasurer and on the Nicollet County ADA Board.

Lowell was on the original Heartland Corn Products Board.

“That’s been a good market for our corn. Our corn is marketed there, giving us the best price around,” said Steve.

“Ninety percent of our corn goes to Heartland Corn. The rest goes to feed mill for cows,” said Jacob.

The Sjostroms were named the 2023 Nicollet County Farm Family of the Year by the University of Minnesota Extension Service.