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Norman County Farm Family

Austen and Amy Germolus Family

The Germolus farm began in 1883 when Johan Germolus immigrated from East Prussia. Austen and Amy are the fifth generation of the family to carry on the farm. The farm has passed from father to son since 1883. Throughout the last century, the Germolus farm has evolved from using horses, mules and oxen for tilling, planting and harvesting, to modern-day equipment utilizing precision agriculture technology. The farm has had cattle and sheep and, at one time, a large egg-laying operation. Austen and Amy hope to pass on the farm to the next generation.

The Germolus family raises wheat, corn, soybeans, hay and barley. The family owns a registered herd of British White cattle operating under the name of South Branch British Whites and they sell shares of grass-fed and grass-finished beef.

Austen is the farm manager, directing all farm operations and making financial decisions. He takes care of the planting, spraying, and trucking.  Amy manages the cattle operation. Austen’s father, John, helps with spring and fall groundwork and helps with harvest in the fall. Austen’s mother, Colleen, makes sure everyone is well-fed and keeps the farmyard looking beautiful. Austen and Amy’s sons, Oden, Thorin, and Ronan love to help move cattle, and ride in tractors and will hopefully be the next generation to operate the farm.

Austen is president of the Perley Community Cooperative, vice president of the Norman County Farm Bureau, vice president of the Norman County Corn and Soybean Growers, and serves on the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers board. He is a graduate of the MARL program, and a member of the financial board at the family’s church, Grace Lutheran. He is chair of the Kelly Thronson Memorial Barbecue Competition. Amy is secretary of the Norman County Fair Board, works as a poultry judge, and is a 4-H volunteer. She’s a member of the Norman County Farm Bureau and the Minnesota and National Cattlewomen’s Associations.

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