Steve & Shirley Rose Family recognized as a 2025 ‘U of M Farm Family’

The Rose family of Amboy has been named Blue Earth County’s “2025 Farm Family of the Year” by the University of Minnesota.

Steve Rose began farming with his father, Frank, in 1981. That same year, he married Shirley Stiernagle. Together, they raised three daughters, Jamie, Jill and Jonie, while building a farrow-to-finish hog operation with just over 100 sows. For many years, they also sold feeder pigs, balancing farm life with off-farm work. Between 1985 and 2001, Steve worked at the Northup King seed plant in Amboy during the winters.

In 2001, the family stepped away from hogs and started a small cow/calf herd with heifers the girls had shown in 4-H. In 2010, Steve and Shirley bought out Jonie’s share of the cattle and formed Rose Cattle alongside Jamie and Jill. Today, Rose Cattle maintains a small herd and remains part of a modest corn and soybean operation.

Three generations now help on the farm. Jamie and Jill are actively involved, and their granddaughter Audrey joined in 2023 with her first show heifer. In 2024, she expanded her herd by winning a Minnesota Beef Expo heifer and purchasing two more.

Beyond the farm, the Rose family stays involved in their community and church. They serve as Sunday school teachers, board members, and club leaders. Their commitment to 4-H remains strong, from county beef leadership to donating halters for younger members. Jill now leads the Amboy Area Adventurers 4-H Club, continuing the tradition her parents started years ago. The Rose Family Farm is built on shared work, steady change and the values passed down from one generation to the next.

The families will be officially recognized in a ceremony Thursday, Aug. 7 at the annual      Farmfest near Redwood Falls. Profiles of the 2025 honorees are featured at z.umn.edu/farm-families-2025.

Honored families are chosen, one per county, by local University of Minnesota Extension committees based on their demonstrated commitment to their communities and to enhancing and supporting agriculture. Honorees cover a wide spectrum of farming, from traditional crops and livestock to community-based ventures and operations producing an array of fruit, vegetables and flowers.

“This year’s 86 Farm Families of the Year reflect the breadth and variety of agriculture in our state,” said Extension Dean Bev Durgan. “The University of Minnesota is proud to honor these families and their innovation and dedication to Minnesota agriculture.”

Along with Farmfest, the program is sponsored by three University of Minnesota units focusing on agricultural research, education and outreach – University of Minnesota Extension, the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Farmfest runs Aug. 5-7 at the Gilfillan Estate, near Redwood Falls. Event hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $8 in advance or $10 at the gate and ages 17 and younger are admitted for free. More information on Farmfest is available at www.farmfest.com.