Kohls Family recognized as a 2023 ‘Sibley County U of M Farm Family’

The Kohl’s family has been named the 2023 Sibley County Farm Family of the Year by the University of Minnesota.
Tony and Katherine both grew up on dairy farms in Carver County. They were married in 2006 and have three children who are all involved in the family farm. The Kohls have a deep appreciation for the way they were raised on farms and wanted that for their own children.
Tony and his brother Jeff currently milk 285 Holstein and Jersey cows on the dairy operation that’s just down the road from Tony and Katherine’s home place. The home farm currently houses 60 of the family’s elite genetic show cattle and higher genetic-type cows, heifers, and calves for future sales.
The Kohls operate their farm as a genuine family farm, with all five family members heavily involved with responsibility for various chores. Tony does most of the feeding and heifer care while Katherine helps with chores in the morning and evening—she also works off the farm as a dental hygienist. The Kohls’ children are often working with their show heifers, washing, brushing, or leading them around the yard. Their daughter, Brooklyn, is very responsible and makes sure all their animals have enough hay. The Kohls’ son, Bryce, enjoys everything about farming and helps move cattle and drives the Bobcat. Tony and Katherine’s youngest child, Blakely, enjoys taking care of the calves and helps deliver their bottles of milk.
The Kohlses strive to offer the farm as a learning location for youth and the surrounding community. Above their main barn, there is a finished loft, an open area to gather when hosting agriculture-related events.
The Kohls have hosted Breakfast of the Farm on behalf of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and an annual Twilight Meeting of the local and state Holstein Associations. They’ve hosted collegiate dairy judging teams for practice sessions, hosted the local FFA region judging contest last fall, and a yearly Fall Harvest Festival for friends and neighbors to gather socially. Tony serves on the board of the Minnesota Holstein Association and is president of the Sibley County Holstein Association. Tony is an elder at the family’s church, where Katherine is on the board of the ministry’s daycare.
The families will be officially recognized in a ceremony Thursday, Aug. 3 at the annual Farmfest near Redwood Falls, MN. Profiles of the 2023 honorees and information on the recognition event can be found on the University’s farm family website, extension.umn.edu/farm-families.
Honored families are chosen, one per county, by local University of Minnesota Extension committees based on their demonstrated commitment to their communities and to enhancing and supporting agriculture.
“These farm families are a major driver of Minnesota’s economy and the vitality of Minnesota’s rural communities,” said Bev Durgan, dean of the University of Minnesota Extension. “The University of Minnesota is proud to recognize these farm families for their contributions to agriculture and their communities.”
Along with Farmfest, University units sponsoring the recognition event include the University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, and the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Farmfest runs Aug. 1-3 at the Gilfillan Estate, near Redwood Falls, MN. Event hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $8.00 in advance or $10.00 at the gate and those 17 and under are admitted free. More information on Farmfest is available at https://www.ideaggroup.com/farmfest.