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BLACKDUCK -- Terry and Misty Frenzel and their family have been chosen as Beltrami County鈥檚 2019 Farm Family of the Year by the University of Minnesota Extension.

The Frenzel family farm originated in 1970 with Terry鈥檚 father, Melvin, who along with cow/calf pairs provided the backbone of the operation. That tradition continues today with Terry and Misty. Terry took over the farm when Melvin died in 2003. Today, the Frenzel's have 100 cow/calf pairs, and on the day they learned of the county award, that cow and calf pairing came with a long night, early morning, and scary delivery as the 100th calf was born.

The Frenzel's have been calving since February, 鈥淥ne of the most brutal calving seasons I鈥檝e ever had,鈥� Terry Frenzel said. 鈥淲e ordinarily drive the herd checking on the cows every two hours, but with the extreme cold this winter, we were out every hour of the night. And normally it warms up during the day, but it didn鈥檛 even do that this season so we were checking on the mothers every hour throughout the days as well.鈥�

Despite the difficult calving season, Terry and Misty are having a good year with 99 cows giving birth to 101 calves.

鈥淭hey all survived, including the two sets of twins,鈥� Misty said.

But on this recent Monday morning, they were sure their luck had run out. Terry was keeping a close eye on the young heifer who was the last to calf. He woke Misty very early to let her know that the cow was in trouble and he needed help. The calf was breech and nearly too large for the birth canal.

鈥淲e resigned ourselves to delivering a dead calf,鈥� Terry said. 鈥淲hen that happens you have to put all your efforts into just saving the cow.鈥� Misty added, 鈥淚t鈥檚 heartbreaking, but you do what you have to do.鈥�

鈥淭his was my first time seeing it,鈥� Misty said of the breech delivery. But she, Terry and the first-time mother worked together and delivered a big, healthy calf that morning.

The calf struggled to walk on his first day of life in the big barn where the rest of the year鈥檚 calves took their first steps, but made a valiant effort, making his way to the chute for his first nursing, with help from Terry and Misty. They had bottle fed the calf during the day but it was time for cow and calf to get acquainted, a difficult adjustment for both as Terry held the calf upright and guided him to nurse.

鈥淗ungry little devil,鈥� Terry said when the calf caught on quickly, more quickly than the new mother.

The Frenzel's raise small grain in the summer. They鈥檙e currently haying 300 acres with Misty cutting and raking and Terry baling.

It鈥檚 a lot of work for a couple who are also hard workers in the community and in other employment. In 2003, Terry started Frenzel Fertilizer Inc., an agronomy and feed retail store. After 10 years, he sold the business to Blackduck Co-Op Ag Services and has continued as their agronomy manager, using his expertise in chemicals and fertilizers. Meanwhile, Misty works full time on the farm and is involved in all aspects from animal care to fencing. She keeps the farm running smoothly during Terry鈥檚 busy time of the year at the co-op.

Both Terry and Misty are community activists. Terry has been with the Blackduck Volunteer Fire Department for 19 years and was recently the recipient of the Golden Ax Award. He is the Langor Township Supervisor and served for many years on the Beltrami County Fair Board.

Misty is a big part of the Backwoods Bash every year and emcees the Bash Talent Show and coaches the dance acts. She has recently gone through the Blandin Leadership Training, a weeklong training to work on a local committee now planning area projects with an emphasis on positive community leadership. She is still attending regular workshops with Blandin as well as working as a substitute in the Blackduck 歪歪漫画 kitchen, coaching junior high volleyball and the high school dance team.

鈥淲e鈥檙e definitely juggling,鈥� said Terry as he reunites cow and calf in the big barn, 鈥淚 work 8 to 5 and do this. But this is why I鈥檓 here, so I can do stuff like this.鈥�

The Frenzel's will be recognized at the Beltrami County Fair at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10. Terry and Misty, along with other Minnesota County Farm Families, will also be officially recognized in a ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 8 at Farmfest near Redwood Falls.