Farming just south of Gaylord, Dan Widmer grows soybeans and corn while also raising awareness of the importance of agriculture in his community.

He farms full time on a farm he bought. Widmer is married to his wife, Kyla, and they have three children, Abigaile, Rachel and Jessica, who also contribute to the farming operation.

Widmer earned an associate’s degree in diversified agricultural production from the University of Minnesota Waseca.

Widmer serves on the Nicollet-Sibley County Corn & Soybean Growers board, a volunteer group that was named the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association’s (MSGA) County of the Year in 2021. He was approached to be on the board when he started hosting one of the board’s corn plots. He has served for six years and is currently board vice chair.

Being a three-year member of MSGA, Widmer saw the benefits of joining and what he wanted out of his membership and time on his local board.

“I became a member because of the product development and trade relations information and to stay informed,” Widmer said. “Being a member (of MSGA) keeps you involved, and hopefully you get all the information. It’s about the support, so we appreciate what they do.”

In addition to his farmer leadership, Widmer is also president of the parish council at St. Michael’s Church and is secretary for the Knights of Columbus.