Beanbags, Food, 1919 rootbeer, live music by Revline Acoustic and community were all present at German Park’s free community event honoring the two recipients of New Ulm’s 2026 Business of the Year Awards. Donations went to New Ulm’s chapter of the Disabled American Veterans nonprofit. 

New Ulm’s Chamber of Commerce has been recognizing a business of the year since 1974. 

Sarah Warmka, president and CEO of the chamber, said businesses that set great examples for the community while going above and beyond are consistent attributes for recipients of the award. 

She said both small business winner Guldan Family Farm and large business winner J&R Schugel do just that. 

During Sunday’s Business of the Year celebration in German Park, J&R Schugel parked its truck highlighting the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) on German Street. During the celebration J&R Schugel and Guldan Family Farms took donations for New Ulm’s chapter of the DAV. Photo by Dylan Jackson

Guldan Family Farms has been a presence in the community since the early 1980s, providing fresh food to New Ulm and the surrounding area. 

Tim Guldan, whose parents started the family business, felt honored to be recognized alongside other notable New Ulm businesses.  

“There have been a lot of businesses in town that have a major impact and received the award, so to be in the same category as them is pretty heartwarming,” Guldan said. 

The Guldan family takes pride in providing fresh food for their community. 

“[I think it’s important] to have a local food producer in the area versus having only the option to have things shipped in.” Tim Guldan said. 

Brooke Guldan said that for people with food sensitivity issues, providing fresh and local produce is significant, especially in smaller communities where food variety is less available. 

Guldan Family Farm has no plans of stopping anytime soon. 

“My parents started the operation in the early 1980s and the plan is to keep it going on with community support. We couldn’t do it without them,” Tim Guldan said. 

Large business winner J&R Schugel serves both the local community and the other 47 contiguous United States with their trucking services. 

Courtney Antonsen, chief administrative officer for J&R Schugel spoke of the scope of their operation.

“Anything you see in the stores from Walmart to Cash Wise, we haul it,” she said.

Founders Jerry and Rich Schugel were appreciative of the award. 

“It means a lot. Employees all did a great job, they’re the ones responsible for this all,” Jerry Schugel said.