• The Dean and Kellie Townsend family was awarded the 2013 Farm Family of the Year award by the Groton Area Chamber of Commerce. This is the second annual award.
• Michelle Muilenberg, Chamber president, said, "We are very happy to have Dean and Kellie as our 2013 family. They will be great ambassadors for the Chamber and what this award exemplifies for us."
• Other family members who are an important part of the Townsend farm are parents Norman and Doris Townsend who offer irreplaceable advice and support, brother Gaylon Townsend and brother-in-law Wade Gubrud as Agronomy Advisors.  Also, crucial to the farm's success is employee Chris Goldade and his wife, Lindsey.
• They have two children: Cassandra 12 (cowgirl daughter) and Travis 9 (future engi

neer son)
• The Townsend operation started in 1986, with the help of Groton FFA Alumni's Bred Guilt Ring to get started in hogs. They then switched to beef cattle with the initial support of their parents.  The grain farming side of the operation started in 1990.
• The Townsends said, "We pride ourselves in caring for our rented land in the same way as we care for the land we

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