Balancing Family, Farm, and Future in Southern Minnesota

2024-10-15

“If you trust the process, the process will reward you back.” As a sixth-generation cattle farmer in Southern Minnesota, Haley Ammann-Ekstrom knows a thing or two about juggling responsibilities. She farms alongside her husband and father, manages a cow-calf herd, and has recently ventured into selling beef directly to consumers. But what makes Haley's story truly inspiring is her passion for educating the younger generation about agriculture and her determination to keep her family's farming legacy aliv...

“If you trust the process, the process will reward you back.”

As a sixth-generation cattle farmer in Southern Minnesota, Haley Ammann-Ekstrom knows a thing or two about juggling responsibilities. She farms alongside her husband and father, manages a cow-calf herd, and has recently ventured into selling beef directly to consumers. But what makes Haley's story truly inspiring is her passion for educating the younger generation about agriculture and her determination to keep her family's farming legacy alive.

Finding Her Path Back to the Farm

Haley's journey back to the family farm wasn't a straight path. After high school, she initially pursued cosmetology. However, a chance conversation with a multi-generation crop farmer sparked something in her. "I went home and told my parents, 'Come Monday morning, I'm going to quit my job and go back to school for Ag Business Management,'" Haley recalls.

This decision led her to earn a four-year degree while working part-time on the farm. In 2015, following the passing of her grandfather, Haley seized the opportunity to start her own cattle herd and partner with her father.

Balancing Off-Farm Work and Farming

Like many modern farming families, Haley and her husband both work off the farm. Haley works in sales at the local farmers' co-op, while her husband is a power linesman. Her father works at a local back clinic in the beef department.

"It's hard because there are so many times where it's like, 'Gosh, if just one of us was here full time, think of all the stuff we could get done,'" Haley shares. However, she acknowledges that their off-farm jobs currently make their farming dream possible. "We couldn't do this if we didn't have those jobs."

Embracing Innovation and Sustainability

Haley and her family are always looking for ways to improve their operation. They've recently started implementing cover crops, which have been great for their soil health. "We ended up chopping like the 12th of September this year, and then we drilled that cereal rye right after," Haley explains. "Those are things that you have to be willing to gamble on."

They're also exploring ways to make their cattle operation more efficient, including using artificial insemination to improve their herd genetics and considering building a hoop barn for calving and finishing cattle.

Educating the Next Generation

Haley's passion for agriculture extends beyond her own farm. She's actively involved in educating young people about where their food comes from. "I'd rather be able to tell someone where their food comes from and have those conversations than them guess and be wrong or turn to the internet," she says.

Her commitment to education has led her to work on a series of children's books about agriculture, with the first one set to launch in 2025. "I think it's such a huge part of kids to be reading and to have real-life agricultural books that get people excited," Haley enthuses.

Looking to the Future

As Haley looks to the future, she has big plans for both her farm and her career in agriculture. She hopes to continue growing their meat program, expand their herd, and eventually have at least one family member working on the farm full-time.

"I hope that I can still kind of be taking on some of these mentorship leadership programs and take that a step further," Haley says. She's also excited about the potential of her children's books to both educate and provide an additional income stream for her family.

Embracing the Challenge

Haley's story is a testament to the grit and determination of modern farmers and ranchers. She's not afraid to take risks, whether it's changing careers, trying new farming practices, or venturing into direct-to-consumer beef sales.

Her advice to others? "Trust the process. The process will reward you back." It's this attitude that keeps Haley moving forward, balancing family, farm, and future with grace and determination.

As we look at the challenges facing agriculture today, stories like Haley's remind us of the passion and innovation driving the industry forward. It's farmers like her who are ensuring that future generations will have both food on their tables and a connection to where that food comes from.

If you would like to connect with Haley, check out her Facebook and Instagram.