The Minnesota Pork Board recognized the Spronk family of Edgerton, as this year’s Family of the Year award recipient. Pictured are (l to r) Taylor and Seth Spronk, Randy and Beth Spronk, Dr. Gordon Spronk, and Courtney and Tyler Schelhaas.

There’s something to be said about family farms that withstand the test of time. Along with immense hard work, innovation and adaptability are necessary to adjust to the ever-changing feat of feeding the world. What began as a sole-proprietorship evolved into a multi-family generational entity that formed from the desire to maintain a viable, profitable farming business for generations to come. This year’s Family of the Year award recognizes the four owners of Spronk Brothers III and their commitment to local and international communities, philanthropy, and generational succession.

A Family Affair

Spronk Brothers III, a multifaceted farm spanning two generations in southwestern Minnesota, was established by brothers Gordon and Randy in 1993. What started as a 300-sow sizeable farm at the time has now grown to accommodate more than 10,000 sows. Though the sows are owned and produced by Spronk Brothers III, the sow sites are managed by the Pipestone System, operated by the Pipestone Veterinary Clinic.

Both brothers saw industry pressures and the changing of the model from their high exposure holding national leadership positions. They considered ways to be competitive domestically and internationally and decided to vertically integrate backwards, focusing on the network of crops, pigs, and manure at the time of Spronk Brothers III implementation. An on-farm feed mill stands on the farm’s original homestead which allows the business to manage feed costs and rations as well as utilize valuable manure for their crops.

“I believe there is no better place to raise pigs than where we are,” stated Randy. “We have the ability to grow our own feed, utilize the manure from the pigs, and we have available access to harvest capacity.”

As with all businesses, each person involved on the farm utilizes their unique skillset to help keep the farm functioning. Randy serves as managing partner of Spronk Brothers III, overseeing production and financial aspects of the business, while Gordon’s veterinarian experience serves as a crucial component in animal health and production model decisions.

Randy’s son, Seth, returned to the farm following the acquisition of his Masters in Business Administration. With his hand in nearly all facets of the farm, Seth is a jack of all trades, working closely alongside Randy as Chief of Operations.

“There was a period where I considered paddling my own canoe, and I did have engineering job offers,” Seth reluctantly stated. “I give my dad a lot of credit for this, as he was very silent on the matter and let me make up my own mind; I know this was intentional. But at the end of the day, my highest opportunity for financial success and a mental challenge was here at Spronk Brothers.”

On the opposite side of the business spectrum is Gordon’s son-in-law, Tyler. Prior to 2011, Tyler had little knowledge of agriculture or swine, but his background working as a financial planner at an asset management firm in the Twin Cities led to a valuable tie-in at Spronk Brothers III where he now oversees risk management of the operation. Tyler acknowledged the first number of years had a large learning curve, but the position made sense for him, as it fit well into what he does day-in and day-out.