The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Century and Sesquicentennial Farm Programs recognize Minnesota families who have owned and operated their farms for at least 100 or 150 years. To date, over 11,000 family farms have received the Century Farm honor, while 681 have been honored with the Sesquicentennial Farm recognition. Goodhue County boasts the most Minnesota sesquicentennial farms at 64. An online database featuring all award recipients is available at www.fbmn.org.
According to the MFBF website, Minnesota’s agricultural strength has endured because of the resilience and commitment of multi-generational, family-owned farms. In 2026 the MFBF proudly honored 58 sesquicentennial family farms whose legacy spans at least 150 years. James and Taryn Thoreson’s 160 Acre farm in Roscoe Township is one of those newly recognized properties.
The Thoresons received their award at a recognition program on Thursday August 13th at the Goodhue County Fair in Zumbrota. Farm Bureau member, Craig Nord opened the program with an explanation of the award criteria. Established in 2008, the Sesquicentennial Farm award celebrates family farms who have sustained continuous ownership for at least 150 years, are 50 acres or larger, and are currently involved in agricultural production.
Honorees will receive a commemorative certificate signed by Governor Tim Walz, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner, Thom Petersen and MFBF President, Dan Glessing. They also receive an outdoor sign signifying the Sesquicentennial Farm recognition. A display inside the Minnesota Farm Bureau building during the 2026 Minnesota State Fair featured all Sesquicentennial and Century farms.
Farm Bureau member, Tim Mack of Zumbrota introduced the Thoreson family as neighbors and friends. James, Taryn, and their son, Blake took the stage and shared some farm history beginning with James’ great-grandfather, Otto Thoreson who purchased 160 acres for $38.00 per acre. He started with dairy cows, horses and grain, calling his property Maple Grove Stock Farm.
James’ grandfather, Leonard “Benny” Thoreson took over the farm in 1914. Benny milked cows and raised pigs, chickens, and purebred Oxford sheep in the 1930s. “We always had sheep on the farm,” said James, whose father, Otto C. Thoreson took over the operation in 1956.
“The farm has a strong Norwegian heritage,” James wrote on the award application. “My father was the second generation born right on the farm in the old house. He spoke Norwegian as his first language, not learning English until he started country school at 5 or 6 years old.” Otto continued with sheep and dairy until 1968 when he sold the milking herd and started raising beef cows.
When James married Taryn in 1981, they started a partnership and sold the beef cattle. “We went straight into sheep and expanded that. We grow corn, soybeans, hay and oats. In 2017 we started Thoreson Sheep Farm LLC with our son, Blake”.
James credited Blake and his wife, Emily and their children, Karoline and Kaleb (who also attended the event) for always being out helping on the farm. “I was just thinking, one of us has gotten up every day in the morning for the last 150 years and did chores.”
Tim Mack congratulated the family and closed the program saying, “That’s quite an accomplishment, not many farms stay in the family for 150 years. Like you say, you’ve got livestock, so someone’s gotten up in the morning for 150 years”
