Meet the 2025 Finalists

Congratulations to the top five finalists for the Farmfest Woman Farmer of the Year award. Read on for more details on these five amazing women!
Join us at Farmfest on August 7 for the Women in Ag Event to honor our top 5 finalists and name the Woman Farmer of the Year!

Kris Huebsch, New York Mills, MN

Kris Huebsch, a sixth-generation farmer originally from Northeast Ohio, was raised on a dairy farm where she developed a strong foundation in agriculture and was actively involved in both the farm and 4-H as a youth. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from Montana State University in Bozeman. Following graduation, she moved to New York Mills, Minnesota, where she joined her husband on his family’s corn and kidney bean farm. Outside of her work on the farm, she stays busy supporting her daughters in school and extracurricular activities. She also enjoys posting entertaining photos and videos of her farm animals on social media and has a passion for collecting and restoring Minneapolis-Moline tractors and memorabilia, a tradition passed down from her father.

In 2017, she and her husband opened the farm to the public with a u-pick strawberry operation, and by 2018, expanded to include a corn maze and pumpkin patch—transforming the farm into a true agritourism destination. A key driver of the farm’s continued growth, Kris oversees marketing, bookkeeping, website design, the hiring and training of 30 seasonal employees, and manages the full production cycle of strawberries and pumpkins—from variety selection and planting to irrigation, cultivation, and harvest. In addition to the berry farm, she and her husband own and operate fROOTz, a bare root plant company serving commercial growers, farmers and home gardeners throughout the Upper Midwest. Kris oversees marketing for fROOTz and takes an active role each spring in preparing and coordinating plant orders and deliveries. Her strong social media presence further amplifies the farm’s impact, as she uses these platforms to share timely information, promote events, and educate the public—particularly those with limited connections to agriculture—about farming practices and rural life.

Kris is an active member of the Calvary Lutheran Youth and Family Committee and also serves as a youth and teen mentor. In the agricultural sector, She has made significant contributions through her role with the East Otter Tail County Farm Service Agency, where she has served as a minority advisor and now holds the position of County Committee Chair. She is also a dedicated 4-H club leader and county fair judge. She is an active member of numerous industry organizations, including the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (MFVGA), Minnesota Farm Bureau, Perham Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota Grown, Otter Tail Lakes Country Association, the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), and NAFDMA—the International Agritourism Association.

Haley Ekstrom, Odin, MN

Haley is a sixth-generation cattle farmer in southern Minnesota. She is the first female of the six generations to take over the family farm. She and her husband bought the family farm in 2023, they alongside her father raise the cow-calf herd and farm small crops. She was in 4H for 12 years when she was younger, it was through 4H she realized she wanted to be involved in agriculture and be a mentor for the next generations of females. She received her ag business bachelors degree through SMSU and came back to the family farm in 2016 after her grandfather passed away. From there she started her own herd and its grown ever since.

Her eye to detail and being creative is what she excels at. Haley’s always said there’s a spot for everyone at the agriculture table, both men and women. There are no weaknesses, just things she is better at and things her husband or father are better at. By recognizing this, it’s helped her find a seat at this “table” and find a way to help the farm be successful. They started rotating in cover crops and various soil practices, along with starting their own meat business. By selling their beef to the public it gives her the chance to connect with consumers and show them why a protein is important in the daily diet, why not have that protein be raised by a farmer they trust and know? Like Her! She’s an excellent advocate on and off the farm.

Haley sits on the Minnesota Ag in the Classroom board and is an active Minnesota Farm Bureau member, being a current Vice President for the Martin County board. She and her husband started their direct to consumer beef business. She helped put on a free Breakfast on the Farm community event which was an amazing experience!

Haley's nominators said, "Haley is a humble servant to the community and agriculture industry. She is always going out of her way for others, especially younger females. She wants to see them succeed and be a mentor wherever she can. She had a handful of amazing powerful mentors that helped her succeed, she only wants to do the same. She is someone that doesn’t brag about her success, but she is someone that should be recognized for what she is doing not only in her community but also by being a trailblazer in the beef industry."

Holly Saehr, Pierz, MN

Holly Saehr was raised on her family’s farm just northwest of Pierz, Minnesota. She now works side-by-side with her parents, and her brother as an integral part of their 1,200-acre corn, soybean, and alfalfa operation, which also includes a thriving dairy herd. In addition to her daily contributions to the dairy farm, Holly is dedicated her time to play a key role in her brother’s hog facility for numerous years. She recently took a step forward and purchased two of her own hog barns. She is deeply involved in her community as a volunteer first responder and active in the church choir.

Holly has become a cornerstone of her family’s farming operation even as the youngest member of the operation, taking on a leadership role that spans every aspect of the business. She is often found tilling fields, hauling manure, running the grain cart, loading hogs, or picking rocks, handling each task with confidence and competence. On the dairy side, she milks their 180-head herd twice daily, cares for calves, beds stalls, and manages the daily cleanings. In addition to her field and livestock work, she is the organizational backbone of the operation. She plays a lead role in maintaining records, filling out essential paperwork, and in grant writing. She assists her family with everything from securing cost-share opportunities to helping move their farm toward Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification.

Holly spends her time contributing to the agricultural community, particularly in promoting conservation, education, and leadership. In 2022, she played a key role in hosting a stop on the Morrison SWCD’s conservation bus tour. She took the initiative to create a detailed slideshow featuring in-field photos to help educate attendees on their strip tillage practices, a system she helped implement with her family. To top it off, she personally purchased ice cream for all attendees, a thoughtful gesture that highlighted not only her commitment to conservation but also her pride and dedication to the dairy industry. That same year, the Morrison SWCD recognized her family's continued commitment to soil health and sustainable practices by honoring them with the Outstanding Conservationist of the Year award.

Noreen Thomas, Dilworth, MN

Noreen comes from rural communities in Montana and North Dakota, where she grew up surrounded by agriculture. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition, Microbiology, and Chemistry from North Dakota State University. In 1987 she married her husband, and together they became the fifth generation on his family’s farm in Moorhead, Minnesota. At this time, farming was unfamiliar to her, but she dedicated herself to becoming a true farmer by learning about and later contributing to the farm. Now, she serves as the farm's manager and owns the farm in partnership with her husband. They have three adult children together who grew up involved on the farm.

Once becoming certified organic Noreen and her family started selling to local chefs. On her farm, she has rented out hundreds of acres of land to several farmers, a beekeeper, an herbalist and a chef, who all benefited from shared resources and knowledge. Noreen also regularly hosts field days, tours, and classes on her farm individually and in partnership with Moorhead Community Education. Noreen has spearheaded a collaboration with White Earth Nation Reservation. Today, she hosts field days and classes independently and through Moorhead Community Education for farmers and community members alike, where participants have toured the farm and appreciated learning about a wide variety of topics ranging from local foods and indigenous foraging to farm machinery.

Noreen is the Northwest Region Coordinator for Renewing the Countryside’s Minnesota Women in Conservation. She also became a Senior Fellow at the University of Minnesota Moorhead this year, where she is currently working with ten beginning family farmers to find their niche, help with marketing, and improve their bottom line. Past groups she has been involved with include the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute advisory board, MDA’s Produce Safety Advisory Group, and the University of Minnesota Citizen Advisory Board. In 2022 she also travelled to D.C. and spoke in front of the Senate Agriculture Committee to advocate for soil health and beginning farmers. Currently, she serves as the Minnesota Farmers Union Clay County President.

Kayla Cohrs, Glencoe, MN

Kayla Cohrs is the heart of A-OH-K Cohrs Ranch in Glencoe, MN, where she and her husband raise their blended family deeply rooted in agriculture. She first studied Veterinary Technology at Minnesota School of Business & Globe College, earning an AAS degree in 2013, then expanded her expertise by pursuing Agribusiness Services & Management at South Central College, earning another AAS degree in 2018. In her current role as a full-time Farm Production Consultant at Gaylord Feed Mill, where she spends 40 hours a week helping farmers optimize livestock nutrition and health.

Kayla has been an active member of the New Auburn Fire and Rescue for over 12 years, assisting with both fire and medical calls. She is an assistant key leader in her local 4-H club, she doesn’t just teach young agriculturalists about livestock care and farm management, she gives them the confidence to take ownership of their projects, fostering independence while standing ready to guide them when needed.

Kayla's contributions to farm operations and livestock health reflect her deep expertise in nutrition, her hands-on approach to animal care, and her ability to turn knowledge into real-world impact. Each morning and evening, she begins the custom bottle-feeding process for over 60 newborn calves, tailoring their nutrition to their specific needs. Her Ranch also raises and shows registered British White Cattle, meat rabbits and 4H llamas all while providing individualized care, checking for signs of illness, ensuring hydration, and offering comfort to each and every animal on the farm.

Her nominator said, "Kayla's ability to connect, teach, and lead is woven into everything she does. She is more than a farmer; she is a mentor, a caretaker, and a role model. And just like the records she keeps with unwavering precision, the impact she makes on these children is something that will stay with them for a lifetime."

Women in Ag Event & Award Ceremony

Join our Women in Ag event on August 7 at 10:45 a.m. to hear from our featured keynote Amanda Radke. Then, join us for the recognition ceremony to hear more about the top 5 finalists as we honor their commitments to ag and watch as we announce the Farmfest Woman Farmer of the Year.

Amanda Radke is a fifth generation rancher from Mitchell, SD. Alongside her husband, Tyler, and their four children, they operate Radke Land & Cattle, an Angus seedstock operation. Together, they are partners in an exciting new auction platform called, Bid On Beef, which works to connect American cattle ranchers to beef-loving consumers across the country.

Radke has spent the last 20 years on the road fighting for the agriculture, rural America, and the western way of life. Her work is focused on keeping producers on the land and beef on the dinner plate. She advises ranching families in their entrepreneurial pursuits working with CK6 Consulting, and she highlights the great folks she meets on the road with her weekly podcast called, “The Heart of Rural America.”

She currently serves as an appointee on the National Agriculture Campaign Advisory Council, where she provides industry insights to the U.S. House of Representatives Agriculture Committee. And she is a strong champion back at home in South Dakota fighting for private property rights for farmers and ranchers.

Radke’s real passion is on investing in the next generation. She’s the author of ten children’s books that teach kids about agriculture and where their food comes from, and she’s committed to celebrating agriculture’s story, one page at a time.

Learn more about Radke at www.amandaradke.com.

A big thank you to our sponsors!

What is the Farmfest Woman Farmer of the Year Award?

The Farmfest Woman Farmer of the Year Award honors the hard-working female farmers across Minnesota who selflessly give their time to growing the crops and raising the livestock needed to feed the world. So many times, women on the farm wear multiple hats, tirelessly contributing to the farm but also participating in community events, raising children or working outside the home. And for that commitment, we want to say thank you.

How to Enter

Review the entry questions below and gather the information for the person you're nominating. Tell us all the wonderful stories and background that make this amazing woman farmer who they are and tell us why they deserve to be rewarded. It could be your mother, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, best friend or neighbor...anyone you know who dedicates her life to her farm, community and family.

Eligibility & Criteria

The entrant or nominee('s):

Must farm or ranch as a sole proprietor or one part of a couple, family or partnership.
Farm must be located entirely within the state of Minnesota.
May work outside the home or farm but must contribute to the farming/ranching operation in addition to the duties outside the farm.
Has a high level of commitment to the farm/ranch in terms of hours dedicated to her work.
Has a positive impact on the farm in terms of income, yield, diversification, and/or overcoming challenges.
Nominee demonstrates not only impact on the farm but also positive impact on her community.
Is highly encouraged to be available to attend a recognition ceremony on August 7, 2025.
Must agree to be featured in Farmfest advertising, news stories and social media.
Must provide at least 1 photo with their application.
Must be a legal resident of the United States, and eighteen years of age or older.

Please review the Official Rules.

Woman Farmer of the Year Selection

The nomination window closed on May 22, 2025. A committee of representatives will review the qualifying applications and select 5 finalists. Finalists will be notified on or about June 4, 2025 and the winner will be announced at a recognition ceremony on August 7, 2025 taking place at the Wicks Building Farmfest Center.

Each of the finalists will be recognized in honor of their efforts in farming at the Women in Ag event and in news and social media.

Thanks to our sponsors, the Woman Farmer of the Year will receive a $1,000 cash prize along with recognition of all her hard work and accomplishments.