The Svoboda-Hoefs family, of Le Center, currently led by Ruth Hoefs, has been named Le Sueur County’s 2024 Farm Family of the Year by the University of Minnesota.
Ruth’s parents, Reuben and Carol (Erkel) Svoboda, purchased the original 80 acres in 1954 after they got married. In the early years, Carol worked at Green Giant in Le Sueur. They had two children, Wayne and Ruth.
The family worked hard on their dairy farm, the cows were milked twice a day and the calves had to be attended to. Ruth’s mom cared for calves, had 100 laying hens, and raised 100 butcher chickens each year. Carol had a garden large enough that it seemed like she could feed the whole county — at least that’s what Ruth thought when she was the one that helped harvest it.
Ruth’s father always milked the cows and took care of all the crops. Hay and small grains were very important for the cows and their milk production. As Ruth’s brother, Wayne, grew older he and his dad worked together.
In the early 1970s, Reuben and Carol purchased two farms, the Bill Wondra and George Wondra farms, making a total of 336 acres. After Wayne graduated, he wanted to farm, but as time went on it didn’t happen.
In 1986, Reuben sold the dairy cows and Wayne found employment off the farm. In 1990, Ruth’s parents sold the farm, only to get it back in less than a year. In 1991, Ruth and her then-husband purchased 80 acres and 170 acres in Lexington Township.
In 1996, Ruth moved back home, by herself, and was on her own. With the help of Ken and Ron Pomije, and their nephew, Josh, she is now farming her home farm and carrying on what her father started — managing the land and maintaining it for the future.
Ruth maintains she could not have done it alone, but she was not afraid to try. She owes her passion for the farm to her parents. They always encouraged her to try.
Currently, Ruth is growing wheat, corn, soybeans, sweet corn for Seneca, and a small grains plot for University of Minnesota research, which she has been doing for over 10 years. She has 11 brood cows and about 35 sheep. She lambs about 24 each year.
Ruth is involved in Ducks Unlimited, the Le Sueur County Area Cattlemen, the Le Sueur County Fair Board, and Montgomery Sportsmen.
The families will be officially recognized in a ceremony Thursday, Aug. 8 at the annual Farmfest near Redwood Falls. Profiles of the 2024 honorees can be found on the University’s farm family website at extension.umn.edu/farm-families .
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.
“These farm families are a major driver of Minnesota’s economy and the vitality of Minnesota’s rural communities,” said Bev Durgan, dean of the University of Minnesota Extension. “The University of Minnesota is proud to recognize these farm families for their contributions to agriculture and their communities.”
Along with Farmfest, University units sponsoring the recognition event include the University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, and the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Farmfest runs Aug. 6-8 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 those 17 and under are admitted free. More information on Farmfest is available at ideaggroup.com/farmfest .
Most Popular
Comments / 0