With Minnesota farms getting fewer and fewer nowadays, it’s refreshing to see an established plantation honored for their survival through the years. One such farm right here in Becker that received recognition as a Century Farm recently, is Roger and Sandy Erickson’s dairy farm.

 

The farmstead, located along Co. Rd. 11 and 165th Ave., was first established in 1917 by Roger Erickson’s grandfather, Carl. The property was originally purchased by railroad executive, James J. Hill and owned by him right up until his death in 1916, when Carl bought the property the following year.

 

Roger and Sandy took over the farming duties in 1979 and eventually bought the property for themselves in 2000. Currently they own 160 acres where they have 42 cows they milk out of 110 total bovines. They also grow corn and hay.

 

Roger has been dealing with some serious health issues for the last year or so and the Ericksons have hired a student from the high school to help with the milking production.

 

For their award, Roger and Sandy received a wooden plaque from Sherburne County and have it hanging on a wall in the kitchen. They also received a certificate signed by the president of the Minnesota State Fair, president of the Minnesota Farm Bureau and the Governor of Minnesota.

 

“It is an honor to receive this award, said Sandy. “It’s an honor for us but it’s also an honor for Roger’s grandfather and uncle who first established it and farmed it.”

 

The Ericksons have three adult children and nine grandchildren. Their offspring are David (36), Kristi (34) and Melissa (32). David is the heir-apparent to take over the farm someday to hopefully one day be honored as a Sesquicentennial farm.

 

“This farm has been an awesome place to raise a family,” said Sandy. “It got us all to work together, play together and see the fruits of our labor.”

 

Farming is hard and the Ericksons made sure they had fun too. They built a basketball hoop by one of the barns where the kids could take a break and relax by shooting some hoops.

 

Sandy remembers when things were going really good for the farm back in 1998 when U.S. milk prices were at a high of $21. It is currently at $17.90 (as of October) which is less than 1998 but much better than the late 2000’s when the economy was in such a tail spin.

 

“The prices are better, but expenses are higher,” said Sandy. “Fortunately we don’t have any debt to fret about.”

 

The Ericksons have prided themselves on managing their debt and have survived without taking out any swelling loans or balloon accounts. The home they are living in is an older place and with Roger’s sickness, friends have been coming around to lend a helping hand to fix the furnace or the plumbing or whatever else needs to be done with Roger being indisposed.

 

The Ericksons say they know of only two other dairy farms in Sherburne County — not including the  Cargill Dairy Production unit in Elk River. The two other farms are owned by Roger’s brother, Russell and Kris Person.

 

Roger and Sandy are avid travelers (when they find time) and have been to every state in the union except Hawaii. They’ve toured internationally and visited such places as Sweden, Norway, Egypt, Israel and Jordan.

 

To qualify for the Century Award, a farm must be owned by a family for at least 100 continuous years. The farm must also have been in the same family for 100 years or more and is currently being farmed.

 

Donald and Ramona Braun of Clear Lake also received this year’s award. (See their story at a later date).