(Fairmont) The Fowler Family was named the Martin County Farm Family of the Year. Their farm has more than 160 years of history and is continuing its family tradition into a sixth generation. The Fowler family farm was established in 1857 by Henry H. Fowler. Ron and Dora Fowler took over the operation in 1975, and today their son, Travis, represents the sixth generation to farm the land. Ron started his livestock operation with 20 sows after graduating high school and eventually expanded to 1,000 farrow-to-finish sows. Today, the family manages about 18,000 wean-to-finish hogs, farms more than 1,000 acres of corn and soybeans, and operates its own on-farm feed mill. The farm uses no-till practices and irrigation, while manure nutrients are returned to the crop fields. Travis has also added sheep to the operation, managing 150 ewes and finishing the lambs, along with farming another 1,000 acres. Ron and Dora’s grandsons, Jed and Grayson, are also actively involved. The Fowler family has a long history of community involvement, including service with the Martin County Pork Producers, Truman Jaycees, their church and 4-H. Travis currently serves on the township board and the Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers Board. The Fowlers received their award on Wednesday last week during the Martin County Fair. 
Picture courtesy of the University of MN Extension Office