News

Clausons named Indiana Farm Family of the Year

Fulton County farmers Dave and Dorothy Clauson, and their family are this year’s Indiana Farm Family of the Year.

Dave is a first generation farmer and started farming in the 1950’s by milking cows.  In 1974 he lost the dairy to a tornado.

Dave’s son Ron says his father picked up the pieces and grew the farm to what it is today.  “We raise 3,500 acres of corn, soybeans, seed corn,” he says.  “We feed out about 4,000 head of hogs a year and have a small beef cow herd.”

Ron came back to farm in the 80’s to farm with his sister and brother-in-law.

He tells Brownfield agriculture has overcome a lot of challenges over the past 30 years – and he expects even more challenges for future generations.  “Water quality continues to be a big issue,” he says.  “And the freedom to be able to do what we do (farm) as far as land issues and there is concern over some of the regulations that are coming down through the government.  There are always concerns.”

The award is presented annually by Beck’s Hybrids and Indiana AgriNews and honors an outstanding Indiana farm family for its contributions to farming and to the community.