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SARTELL, Minn. 鈥� The fifth-generation Udermann family farm, Meadowbrook Farm, near Sartell, in central Minnesota, includes an 80-head dairy, 300 feeder steers, 1,000 acres of row crops (corn, soybeans, small grains and rye) and a custom no-till planting and manure hauling business as well. All these parts are kept running by three farm families each doing their part.

One part of the operation is Kirsten, who joined the family in 2017 when she married Alex Udermann. In her time on the farm she has proved herself as a glue that holds things together, yet continues to move things forward toward increased efficiencies and sustainability.

Her dedication has earned her a spot as a finalist for Minnesota Farmfest's Farm Woman of the Year. The award winner will be named Thursday, Aug. 8, at Farmfest in Morgan, Minnesota.

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The sustainability work at the Udermann farm can be seen upon entering their property, where you鈥檒l see they鈥檝e earned five Ag Water Quality Certification endorsements. They were the first in the state to do so. They also made the move to 100% no-till on their land in the last couple of years and have been advocates of the soil health opportunities that the switch has provided.

鈥淚t comes down to where we鈥檙e at. A lot of open areas,鈥� Kirsten Udermann said of their move to no-till. 鈥淎nd watching the top soil blow away. Planting into powder, just kind of got sick of it.鈥�

They started by giving no-till beans a try. Then they planted cover crops. Then they planted right into the cover crops.

鈥淎nd that鈥檚 been working well for us,鈥� she said. They saw far fewer washouts and standing water in their fields compared to other conventional fields in their area after heavy rains this spring. 鈥淪o once you see the benefits on the soil, you keep going, and you keep finding new ways to get regenerative.鈥�

It鈥檚 an approach that鈥檚 working now and one they hope works to keep the next generation of Udermanns farming.

鈥淲e鈥檝e got three little girls right now (another Udermann is on the way) and they are obviously showing an interest in farming right now, and we want to do better for them and make sure there鈥檚 something here for them to take over when they get to that age," Kirsten Udermann said.

Alex said women like Kirsten don鈥檛 get enough credit for the work they do to keep farms functioning. Kirsten handles all things cattle for the farm. A former Select Sires employee, Kirsten gives vaccinations, orders medicine, feeds and handles inventory sheets. She鈥檒l help out chauffeuring equipment around for their custom work or run a grain cart in the fall. She was instrumental in the move to building a heifer pen and transitioning away from using a bull, instead utilizing artificial insemination with sexed semen. They鈥檙e improving their herd genetics and are better able to boost their steer numbers when the dairy has enough milk cows. These are some steps helping to keep them sustainable when one area of the operation is seeing a down year.

鈥淚t's one of those things like anywhere I go, whether it's Soil and Water, FSA or the co-ops, the parts, the equipment dealers, it's all women behind the counters doing all the office work and phone calls and ordering stuff,鈥� Alex Udermann said. 鈥淪o women are a huge role in the ag community. I don't think we put enough praise on them, in my opinion.鈥�

Alex said women are often behind the scenes 鈥渕aking sure the circus is in order鈥� 鈥� and their circus is all the more in order because of her.

Alex said Kirsten's vision of breeding more intentionally and keeping cattle health at top of mind are money saving and money producing efforts that are paying off. On the crop side of the operation, the switch to no-till and cover cropping has allowed them to sell their four-wheel drive equipment and tillage equipment.

鈥淎nd it鈥檚 less labor, less machinery depreciation and higher quality feed and better soil, less fertilizer, less fuel, less herbicides,鈥� he added. 鈥淚 think we鈥檝e got things dialed in pretty darn good for the size of our operation.鈥�

It鈥檚 been a big year for the Udermanns, who were also chosen as Young Cooperator of the Year by First District Association, a dairy cooperative that manufactures dairy products from family farms in Minnesota. That award is given to a couple or individual who exhibit a strong passion for the dairy industry and are actively involved on their farm, in dairy and other agriculture-related organizations, and in their local community.

Kirsten said she鈥檚 honored to be selected for these accolades. She鈥檚 worked with so many other women in ag that she has looked up to. Many were the backbone of the operations.

The Udermanns hosted a field day at their farm in July where they shared their story about staying sustainable today and into the future. They have another planned at their farm on Aug. 9. That's an event led by Practical Farmers of Iowa. Alex said every operation, no matter the size, can find places to implement regenerative practices. At the same time, anyone who gets to work with a woman in agriculture should be thanking them, he added.

鈥淭hank a woman. They鈥檙e usually making sure the circus is organized behind you when you鈥檙e out in the field or doing whatever you鈥檙e doing,鈥� he said.

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The Udermann farm has been in the family since 1916. Alex and Kirsten, along with Alex鈥檚 brother Jake, are the fifth generation on the farm. They also still work daily with their father, John. With all of the family members earning a wage, they know that diversifying is the key.

Kirsten is currently serving on the Young Cooperators Board with First District Association. She volunteers at their county fair鈥檚 malt stand and has been a coach for Princess Kay contestants. She has helped host numerous farm tours and field days at Meadowbrook Dairy Inc. to showcase their operation and conservation work. She also donates beef to their church every year including steak bundles and hamburgers for grilling and auctioning off.

You can see Kirsten at on Aug. 8 alongside the other finalists for Woman Farmer of the Year. Other finalists include Erika Goette, of Bricelyn; Jane Imker, of Lamberton; Melissa Runck, of Avoca; and Marles Lange, of Windom. The women will be honored at 10:30 a.m. with special guest speaker Amanda Nigg, also known as FarmFitMomma on social media platforms.

The Farmfest Woman Farmer of the Year Award honors the hard-working female farmers across Minnesota who selflessly give their time to growing the crops and raising the livestock needed to feed the world.