The Dakota County Board of Commissioners took a moment to shine a spotlight on local agriculture and youth achievement amid the festive environment of the Dakota County Fair. At an annual meeting on Aug. 5, commissioners gathered on the familiar fairgrounds, a tradition that has marked its fourth year and sets Dakota County apart as one of the few in Minnesota to conduct county board meetings in such a setting.
The heart of the fair's community celebration was the recognition of the Reinardy family, honored as the University of Minnesota Extension's Farm Family of the Year for Dakota County. Jody and John Reinardy, stewarding land across Hampton, Douglas, and Vermillion townships, are keepers of a fifth-generation farming legacy, recently celebrated as a century farm. According to a statement obtained by Dakota County's news release, their efforts, alongside the accomplishments of the Mainz and Maher families, were highlighted, the latter two honored as Dakota County Farm Bureau Sesquicentennial Farms for their 150-year history of farming resilience and innovation.
Charlie Radman, president of the Dakota County Farm Bureau, commended the deep-rooted strength of these families. “It's quite amazing that they can go through multiple generations," Radman told the county.
But it wasn't just seasoned agri-veterans receiving applause; the fair also was a platform for the youth to start to forge their paths. The county board featured the work of three 4-H participants, among the 4,798 exhibits submitted by the youth development organization for this year’s event. Aubry Ostlie of Lakeville, Anders Agrimson of St. Paul, and Makenzie Meyers of Hastings were singled out to showcase their varied projects. Board Chair Mike Slavik expressed pride in the county's 4-H youth, declaring, “We are very proud of our Dakota County 4-H," as reported by the Dakota County news release.
In addition to agriculture, the fair also served to honor the service of local veterans. Dakota County's Veterans Services occupied a spot in the Government Building, providing fair-goers the opportunity to learn about the sacrifices of local servicemen and women through recorded narratives, informational resources, games, and more. The Dakota County Fair, an event steeped in local tradition and community pride, will wrap up its festivities on Sunday, Aug. 10.
