(KNSI) – The Udermann Family has been named the 2025 Stearns County Dairy Farm Family of the Year by the University of Minnesota Extension for their work to make their farm a model of regenerative agriculture and environmental stewardship.

There are currently five MAWQCP endorsements. The integrated pest management, soil health, and wildlife endorsements have been available since 2019. The irrigation water management endorsement and the Climate Smart endorsement have been available since 2022.

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SARTELL - When customers drive up a scenic gravel road near Sartell, they might notice the trees and the meadows.  Driving into the yard, they see a century farm sign, along with a neatly groomed lawn and landscaping.  And , they see the friendly faces of Alex and Kristen Udermann.  The young couple dairy farm with Alex's parents, John and Mary Lou, and Alex's younger brother, Jake.

SARTELL, Minn. — Meadowbrook Dairy Inc has been experimenting with and learning about regenerative agriculture practices for the past eight years, and now they have hosted their own workshop to highlight what they have learned.

Meadowbrook Dairy hosted Cultivating Conservation Field Day July 15 with the Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. 

COME FOR THE economics, stay for the soil health benefits.

Although it sounds like a travel broucher's marketing pitch, that in a nutshell explains the farming practices implemented by the Udermann family at Meadowbrook Dary Inc. near Sartell in Stearns County.

John and Mary Lou Udermann, along with their family, Alex, Kirsten, Kallie, and Jake operate Meadowbrook Farm near Sartell, MN. They raise over 1,300 acres of corn, soybeans, small grains, and alfalfa, along with operating a 90-cow dairy facility with young stock and a feedlot with 250 steers.

Nestled amidst the urban sprawl of Sartell, MN, Meadowbrook Dairy, Inc., is a prime example of a farm working towards sustainable agriculture. The farm's proximity to residential areas inspires a deep commitment to environmental stewardship.

SARTELL, Minn. — Being awarded for the work Kirsten Udermann does on a daily basis is not something she expected to happen.

Udermann was recognized Aug. 8 at Farmfest located in Morgan as the Farmfest Woman Farmer of the Year.

Nestled amidst the urban sprawl of Sartell, MN, Meadowbrook Dairy, Inc., is a prime example of a farm working towards sustainable agriculture. The farm's proximity to residential areas inspires a deep commitment to environmental stewardship.

Mark Gutierrez was right earlier this summer when he said the inaugural Minnesota Leopold Conservation Award is yielding solid applications, and four finalists rose to the top of the list.

Gutierrez is executive director of the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition, which is one of the award’s state sponsors along with Soil Regen.

Four finalists have been selected for the inaugural Minnesota Leopold Conservation Award®.

The award honors farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land.