2020 Catholic Century Farm Awards

June 26, 2020

Due to COVID-19, the annual Rural Life Celebration has been postponed until 2021. The planning committee, along with our co-hosting farms, felt it is important to keep everyone as safe as possible during the continued uncertainty of this pandemic and post-pandemic time. It is also important to us at Catholic Charities to be able to share the beauty of our host farms and community with as many people as possible throughout the diocese; limitations in numbers of attendees would make this challenging and inequitable.

Although the Rural Life Celebration will not take place this year, Catholic Charities and Bishop Kettler will continue to honor the Catholic Century Farm Award recipients. A special liturgy with Bishop Kettler will take place with the Catholic Century Farm Award families on August 2, 2020, at the Oratory of St. Catherine in Farming, MN. There, twelve families will be given a special gift in recognition of their outstanding legacy in faith-based family farming within our diocese.

The Catholic Century Farm Awards are a way that Catholic Charities and the Bishop of St. Cloud honor those Catholic families who have farmed and nurtured the same land for 100 years or more. Different from the state or county-based century farm registries, the Catholic Century Farm Awards are an opportunity for our whole diocese to recognize the deep connection between our faith and farming traditions, and reflect on our many neighbors who are living out the Catholic social teaching of care for creation through their call to the vocation of farming. It allows us to share our gratitude for the nourishment they provide to our communities in more ways than one through faith in God and the work of their hands.

This year, twelve farm families from ten different communities in three counties will be receiving the award. The longest standing farm being recognized this year has been farming for five generations spanning across 159 years (farm established in 1861). The “youngest” farm honoree is celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2020.

This year’s Catholic Century Farm Award recipients are:


  • Berscheit Farms LLC , Grey Eagle, est. 1919
  • Jeff, Marlene, Jacob and Mitchell Bertram Farm , Paynesville, est. 1910
  • Brick Family Farm , Paynesville, est. 1861
  • Donnay Family Farm , Kimball, est. 1920
  • Family Farm of Leo and Mary Jo Hemmesch , Paynesville, est. 1901
  • Gary and Corrine Lieser Farm , Belgrade, est. 1917
  • Malley Family Farm , Albany, est. 1882
  • Richard and Cleone McCoy Farm , Eden Valley, est. 1883
  • Merdan Dairy , Avon, est. 1889
  • Rademacher Family Farm , Freeport, est. 1891
  • Schutz Family Farm , Richmond, est. 1877
  • Victor and Ann Uphoff Farm , Melrose, est. 1919

What 2020 Catholic Century Farm Award Recipients Say About Their Farms

Berscheit Farms LLC (Julie Berscheit, Grey Eagle, est. 1919): Farming is not a “job.” It is a passion and a way of life. It is a vocation. You will only succeed in this if you fully apply yourself. Success is not based on the income but on how you treat and take care of the land . . . planning for the future in times of uncertainty. It gives us many opportunities to teach our children the meaning of true faith because so much is out of our control. Farming, at its core, is Faith that our Father in Heaven will provide for us as we follow His ways.

Bertram (Jeff, Marlene, Jacob and Mitchell Bertram, Paynesville, est. 1919): Having actively farmed this land with four generations of Bertrams really instills the importance of carrying the tradition on for many generations to come.

Brick Family Farm (James Brick, Lake Henry, est. 1861): God-centered values, family, church, community, neighbors over neighbors’ land.

Donnay Family Farm (Kevin and Erin Donnay, Kimball, est. 1920): This farm has been a constant in the Donnay family for the past 100 years. It’s a place where those who want to reminisce and reflect about their ancestors come to visit. It’s been a wonderful place to raise Catholic families for the past 100 years.

Family Farm of Leo and Mary Jo Hemmesch (Leo and Mary Jo Hemmesch, Paynesville, est. 1901): Nice way to bring up a young family and work together. You are your own boss.

Gary and Corrine Lieser Farm (Gary and Corrine Lieser, Belgrade, est. 1917): Working together we have a great satisfaction in planting the seeds, watching them grow and harvesting the rewards. It was also a joy to watch a calf born and later enter our milking herd. We were proud to produce a product to feed many. Working with our four sons—faith—hard work and dedication help us become a century farm.

Malley Family Farm (Alphonse “Al” Jr. and Lynn Malley, Albany, est. 1882): no response

Richard and Cleone McCoy Farm (Richard McCoy, Eden Valley, est. 1883): I was raised on this farm and have many family memories growing up here. I hope to keep it running for a long time.

Merdan Dairy (Tricia Merdan, Avon, est. 1889): Our farm means to us that we get to spend time with our family teaching the kids how to work hard and take care of the land and animals, knowing that it has been passed down from their great-great-great-grandparents.

Rademacher Family Farm (Matthew Rademacher, Freeport, est. 1891): no response

Schutz Family Farm (Jerry and Deb Schutz, Richmond, est. 1877): It was a wonderful feeling to continue to pass the farm down to the next generation—which are our two boys, making them the fifth generation to farm this family land.

Victor and Ann Uphoff Farm (Victor and Ann Uphoff, Melrose, est. 1919): We are honored to own the dairy farm that Victor’s parents and grandparents farmed. The farm always had dairy cows. We enjoy working the land and watching the crops grow and praying a lot that God will provide us with adequate rainfall. We enjoy the harvest time to see our hard work pay off. We enjoyed raising our children on the farm. It’s an excellent place to teach life skills. We enjoy the Sauk River that runs through our land. It’s peaceful and an excellent place to sit and pray.

Our Recent News

A Beacon of Kindness and Learning in Central Minnesota

By Brittany Hoversten • February 12, 2025
For over five years, Grandma Cory has been a dedicated volunteer with the Central MN Foster Grandparent Program, sharing her love of learning and kindness with classrooms across the community. Driven by a deep passion for children, Cory joined the program to make a meaningful difference and inspire the next generation. For the past three years, Cory has had a lasting impact in Suzanne Robben's preschool classroom at Oak Ridge Early Learning Center. On World Kindness Day, Suzanne posted a heartwarming photo of herself with Cory, capturing the spirit of their shared mission to spread kindness and positive energy. Devoting two hours a day, four days a week, Cory’s presence is felt throughout the classroom. While she primarily focuses on reading and math stations, her caring and flexible nature often sees her lending a hand with a variety of tasks. Suzanne describes Cory as having a magnetic effect on the students: “They are like magnets to her. She is so kind, caring, and has a special way of engaging their learning.” Cory’s approach to teaching is as heartwarming as it is effective. She connects with the children by meeting them at their level—often sitting crisscross-applesauce with them during story time. Her interactions with the children have created lasting bonds, with the kids eagerly asking about her whenever she is absent and excited for her return. They also love it when she participates in special celebration days like Whacky Wednesday, PJ Day, and Hat Day, making those moments even more memorable. Beyond her daily presence in the classroom, Cory has committed to using the Foster Grandparent Program’s Assignment Plan, a tool designed to measure student progress. Although she works with all of the children, certain students who need extra one-on-one support with reading and math receive focused attention. At the end of the year, these children will be reassessed to track their progress and celebrate the improvements they’ve made with Cory's guidance. Grandma Cory’s dedication and warmth have already made a significant impact on the students and the broader Oak Ridge Early Learning Center community. The lasting relationships she has built, along with the academic progress of the children she mentors, reflect the powerful role that the Foster Grandparent Program plays in enriching young lives. The Central MN Foster Grandparent Program continues to provide meaningful intergenerational connections through tutoring, mentorship, and supportive relationships that benefit both volunteers and children alike. In 2023 alone, 195 senior volunteers served over 77,500 hours across 88 stations in Central Minnesota, working with nearly 10,000 children. With a focus on school readiness, literacy, social skills, and more, the program helps children thrive in ways that go beyond the classroom. Grandma Cory’s story is a beautiful example of the difference one dedicated volunteer can make. Her love, support, and kindness continue to inspire not just the children she works with, but all of us fortunate enough to be a part of the Foster Grandparent Program. Learn more about how the Foster Grandparent Program is making an impact in Central Minnesota.

How the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School Culinary Program is Using Bread to Fight Food Insecurity

By Brittany Hoversten • January 28, 2025
In the heart of Sauk Rapids, there’s a group of students learning more than just the skills to work in a kitchen—they’re learning the importance of community, service, and giving back. Each year, the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School Culinary Program, led by instructor Mary Levinski, joins forces with King Arthur Baking’s Bake for Good program to bake bread that nourishes local families in need. This year, the partnership has led to an inspiring 80-pound donation of fresh bread to Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf in St. Cloud. The impact goes far beyond the loaves of bread themselves—it’s about building stronger communities and empowering young people to make a difference. Bake for Good is a program initiated by King Arthur Baking Company that encourages students to bake bread from scratch and then share it with someone in need. The program provides all the supplies, including King Arthur flour, and teaches students not only how to bake but also the science and math behind bread-making. For the students in Sauk Rapids, this hands-on experience serves as a powerful lesson in both culinary skills and community service. For years, the program has allowed students to bake delicious, preservative-free bread and donate it to food shelves, brightening the holidays for families facing food insecurity. “I love seeing how the students’ hard work comes to fruition,” says Mary. “They don’t just bake bread—they get to see the difference it makes in people’s lives. It gives them a sense of purpose beyond themselves.” Each year, the bread donation is made around the holidays when families are often struggling the most. The gesture helps ease the stress of holiday meals for families who are uncertain about where their next loaf of bread will come from. For the students, it’s a tangible reminder that their skills can serve a greater good and offer hope to those who need it. For Catholic Charities Food Shelf, the donation of bread means much more than just food. Eric Vollen, Emergency Services Program Manager, shared his gratitude for the donation, highlighting how it not only provides essential nourishment but also fosters a sense of community. “Receiving this donation is incredibly meaningful to us at Catholic Charities Food Shelf,” Eric explains. “It helps us provide nutritious food to families in need and shows the power of community support." This collaboration is a shining example of how different parts of a community—schools, businesses, and local organizations—can come together to make a real difference. It’s a reminder that even small acts of kindness, like baking bread, can have a profound impact on the lives of others.

Jolly Trolley Returns!

By Jenna Pettit • November 29, 2024
Jolly Trolley Food Drive Returns for 14th Year!
Share by: