The Dakota County Board of Commissioners celebrated farm families and highlighted 4-H participants during its annual special meeting Aug. 5 at the Dakota County Fair in Farmington.
The board has met at the fairgrounds for the past four years. It's one of only a few county boards in Minnesota that meets at its county fair.
Commissioners recognized the Reinardy family as the University of Minnesota Extension's Farm Family of the Year for Dakota County. Jody and John Reinardy, who are brothers, farm in Hampton Township with additional land in Douglas and Vermillion townships. The fifth-generation family operation was recognized as a century farm last year.
The board also honored two Dakota County Farm Bureau Sesquicentennial Farms. This year's 150-year-old farms are operated by the Mainz family, led by Aaron Mainz, and Pat Maher's family. Charlie Radman, Dakota County Farm Bureau president, credited both families for their resilience, hard work and forward-thinking approach to farming.
“It's quite amazing that they can go through multiple generations," Radman said.
4-H has a big presence at the fair. The county board recognized three participants to highlight the program.
Aubry Ostlie of Lakeville, Anders Agrimson of St. Paul and Makenzie Meyers of Hastings showed the board their projects during the meeting. Their projects were among 4,798 4-H exhibits submitted for this year's fair.
“We are very proud of our Dakota County 4-H," Board Chair Mike Slavik said.
Veterans also honored at fair
Dakota County is featuring Veterans Services in the Government Building, located at Dakota Way and Third Street. Fair-goers can learn about local veterans and listen to recorded stories of their service, get information on resources for veterans, play veteran-themed games, and get other county information.
The Dakota County Fair runs through Sunday, Aug. 10.