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Farm Famiily of the Year
Nathan and Mary Ulrich were named the 2026 Blue Earth County Farm Family of the year. Pictured are Nathan's parents Dean & Kay, Nathan & Mary, daughter Krystal, niece Hattie, daughter Brianna, niece Nora, daughter Samantha (Moore), nephew Jasper, sister-in-law Kelly, brother Garrett and nephew Calvin Ulrich. Not pictured is daughter Ashley Ulrich.
This digitally enhanced photo shows the original Ulrich cabin and the house that later stood for 100 years, housing several generations of Ulrichs.
Submitted photos.
Nathan & Mary Ulrich Chosen for Blue Earth County
BY STEVEN SHUTE
Maple River Messenger
RAPIDAN TOWNSHIP — For Nathan and Mary Ulrich, farming is less about chasing the spotlight and more about stewardship, community, and carrying on a legacy that stretches back nearly 160 years.
That deep-rooted commitment to the land and their neighbors was recognized when Blue Earth County named the Ulrich family the 2026 Farm Family of the Year.
"We don't know how we got it," Nathan Ulrich said. "They just said there were multiple nominations."
Mary Ulrich noted that the selection process relies on community input. "We don't know who nominated us, but we were nominated a few times by a few people," she said.
While the humble couple was surprised by the award, those familiar with their work in Rapidan Township know the honor is well earned. The Farm Family of the Year program, coordinated statewide through University of Minnesota Extension, honors Minnesota families who have made significant contributions to Minnesota agriculture and their local communities.
Deep Roots in Rapidan
The Ulrich family's history in America traces back to 1866, when Nathan's great-great-great-grandfather, Conrad Ulrich (62), immigrated from Prussia with his family: Dora, 58; Charles, 16; and William, 13. The following year, they established a farmstead in Rapidan Township. Conrad and his sons built a log cabin.
Ten years later, in 1876, Charles married Sophie Wingen, who lived on the farm next door. Charles and Sophie had three sons, Charles Junior, Fred, and Elvin. During their time of managing the family farm, they built a two-story house right next to the log cabin in which Conrad and Dora lived. The house stood for over one hundred years, and all subsequent generations grew up and lived there until Nathan and Mary built their new house a few years ago.
Over the generations, the farm passed down through Elvin Ulrich, Luverne Ulrich, and Nathan’s father, Dean Ulrich. Nathan grew up on the property and returned full-time in 1994 after earning an Ag Production and Management degree from South Central College. He purchased his first piece of ground in 1996 and later purchased the primary farmstead from his parents in 2008.
"I think on my abstract it was signed by Abe Lincoln, or stamped," Nathan shared, reflecting on the historical documents that track the land's original title. "We were the first owners of this ground." A
Diversified Operation
While earlier generations operated a dairy farm and lived in a log cabin, the home eventually gave way to a frame house built in the late 1800s, and the operation evolved as well.
Today, Nathan and Mary farm roughly 1,500 acres, managing a crop rotation of corn and soybeans along with pastureland, oats, and sweet corn. The livestock operation centers on a purebred Red Angus herd of about 150 cows. The family sells breeding bulls and heifers, finishes out steers, and supplies around 20 to 25 head of butcher beef to local families each year. They also market bulls directly to western ranchers at an annual sale in Faith, South Dakota.
In addition to row crops and cattle, the Ulrichs believe in diversification to keep the operation resilient. Nathan runs a custom chopping business for silage, serving 15 nearby farms, and provides custom planting, baling, and excavating services across the area.
Community and Family First
For Nathan and Mary, being good neighbors is simply second nature. Over the years, the family spent countless hours at the Blue Earth County Fair, helping maintain facilities, build fences, and support local 4-H youth activities.
All four of the couple's daughters—Samantha, Brianna, Ashley, and Crystal—grew up showing animals at the fair and graduated from Maple River High School before pursuing higher education.
When asked about the secret to keeping a family farm thriving across six generations, Nathan keeps it simple.
"I'm a homebody," Nathan said. "I just enjoy being here. I'm content".
BY STEVEN SHUTE
Maple River Messenger
RAPIDAN TOWNSHIP — For Nathan and Mary Ulrich, farming is less about chasing the spotlight and more about stewardship, community, and carrying on a legacy that stretches back nearly 160 years.
That deep-rooted commitment to the land and their neighbors was recognized when Blue Earth County named the Ulrich family the 2026 Farm Family of the Year.
"We don't know how we got it," Nathan Ulrich said. "They just said there were multiple nominations."
Mary Ulrich noted that the selection process relies on community input. "We don't know who nominated us, but we were nominated a few times by a few people," she said.
While the humble couple was surprised by the award, those familiar with their work in Rapidan Township know the honor is well earned. The Farm Family of the Year program, coordinated statewide through University of Minnesota Extension, honors Minnesota families who have made significant contributions to Minnesota agriculture and their local communities.
Deep Roots in Rapidan
The Ulrich family's history in America traces back to 1866, when Nathan's great-great-great-grandfather, Conrad Ulrich (62), immigrated from Prussia with his family: Dora, 58; Charles, 16; and William, 13. The following year, they established a farmstead in Rapidan Township. Conrad and his sons built a log cabin.
Ten years later, in 1876, Charles married Sophie Wingen, who lived on the farm next door. Charles and Sophie had three sons, Charles Junior, Fred, and Elvin. During their time of managing the family farm, they built a two-story house right next to the log cabin in which Conrad and Dora lived. The house stood for over one hundred years, and all subsequent generations grew up and lived there until Nathan and Mary built their new house a few years ago.
Over the generations, the farm passed down through Elvin Ulrich, Luverne Ulrich, and Nathan’s father, Dean Ulrich. Nathan grew up on the property and returned full-time in 1994 after earning an Ag Production and Management degree from South Central College. He purchased his first piece of ground in 1996 and later purchased the primary farmstead from his parents in 2008.
"I think on my abstract it was signed by Abe Lincoln, or stamped," Nathan shared, reflecting on the historical documents that track the land's original title. "We were the first owners of this ground." A
Diversified Operation
While earlier generations operated a dairy farm and lived in a log cabin, the home eventually gave way to a frame house built in the late 1800s, and the operation evolved as well.
Today, Nathan and Mary farm roughly 1,500 acres, managing a crop rotation of corn and soybeans along with pastureland, oats, and sweet corn. The livestock operation centers on a purebred Red Angus herd of about 150 cows. The family sells breeding bulls and heifers, finishes out steers, and supplies around 20 to 25 head of butcher beef to local families each year. They also market bulls directly to western ranchers at an annual sale in Faith, South Dakota.
In addition to row crops and cattle, the Ulrichs believe in diversification to keep the operation resilient. Nathan runs a custom chopping business for silage, serving 15 nearby farms, and provides custom planting, baling, and excavating services across the area.
Community and Family First
For Nathan and Mary, being good neighbors is simply second nature. Over the years, the family spent countless hours at the Blue Earth County Fair, helping maintain facilities, build fences, and support local 4-H youth activities.
All four of the couple's daughters—Samantha, Brianna, Ashley, and Crystal—grew up showing animals at the fair and graduated from Maple River High School before pursuing higher education.
When asked about the secret to keeping a family farm thriving across six generations, Nathan keeps it simple.
"I'm a homebody," Nathan said. "I just enjoy being here. I'm content".
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