REDWOOD FALLS — Families and growers from across Minnesota were represented as the University of Minnesota honored them in the 2026 Farm Family of the Year ceremony at 1:15 p.m. Thursday, August 6, at the annual Minnesota Farmfest near Redwood Falls. The event was held on the Gilfillan Estate in the Wick Buildings Farmfest Center.
Collectively, the selected families cover a wide spectrum of farming, from traditional crops and livestock to community-based ventures and operations producing an array of fruit, vegetables and flowers. They were selected by local University of Minnesota Extension committees based on the honorees’ demonstrated commitment to enhancing and supporting agriculture.
“This year’s Farm Families of the Year reflect the impressive strength — and incredible variety — of agriculture in our state,” said Extension Dean Bev Durgan. “The University of Minnesota is proud to honor these families and their innovation and dedication to Minnesota agriculture.”
Jim and Gail Donkers’ farming journey began in 1989 when Jim returned home after graduating from the University of Minnesota and took over management of the dairy herd. Gail, also a University of Minnesota graduate, joined the operation when they were married in 1993. In 2008, they sold the dairy herd, converted the milking barn into a calf barn and began finishing calves at another site.
Today, the Donkers family operates a diverse farm that includes soybeans, corn, alfalfa, finishing hogs, starting and finishing baby calves, and a sheep enterprise raising Babydoll and Dorset breeding sheep. They work closely with the local Soil and Water Conservation District to implement conservation practices and manage water to reduce soil loss. Jim and Gail farm full-time alongside their son, Mitch, Jim’s father, Paul, and Jim’s brother, Matt. Their son, Riley, manages the sheep operation with Gail, and their daughter, Abby, assists with sheep marketing and registrations. Their daughter-in-law, Daiton, contributes through farm photography.
The Donkers family is deeply involved in their community. Jim has served on the Richland Township board in various roles for 28 years and is also an election judge and 4-H leader. Gail serves as the Minnesota Farmers Union membership director, is active as a 4-H leader, is a member of the Minnesota 4-H Plant Sciences Steering Committee and is the Rice County Fair Sheep Superintendent. She is also secretary of the Kenyon Wanamingo FFA Alumni, serves on the Minnesota FFA Foundation Board and its Scholarship Committee, and is an All-American Junior Show Babydoll Breed representative and volunteer.
Gail was elected to the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council in 2018 and has served in several leadership roles. In 2023, she was elected to the U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance, appointed to the Soy Excellence Center board and serves on the Dakota/Rice County Corn and Soybean Growers Scholarship Committee. Jim and Gail have represented the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council internationally, traveling to South Korea, the Philippines, Canada and the Netherlands to help expand markets for Minnesota agricultural products.
