The Widboom Family is the Nobles County Farm Family of the Year

The Widboom family from Nobles County will be honored in August as one of 86 Farm Families of the Year.

The Widboom family farm was established in 1939 by Vernie and Ruth Widboom. It began as a turkey and crop farm with some hogs and dairy cows. John and Gloria Widboom took over the farm in the early 1970s, developing a beef finishing feedlot and expanding crop production.

Today, Matt and Teresa Widboom are raising the fourth generation on the diversified beef finishing and crop farm. The farm continues to thrive through a three-generation effort, producing 1,600 acres of corn and soybeans and operating a 1,500-head beef cattle finishing feedlot. This year marks John’s 81st year in the agricultural industry. Matt and Teresa’s children -- Riley, Wesley, Myranda and Charley -- all contribute to the operation in different ways.

The Nobles County Fair is a family summer highlight, celebrating three generations of 4-H involvement. The family also helps organize an annual 5K run and family fun walk on opening night of the county fair, with proceeds benefiting the local Southwest Crisis Center. Matt and Teresa also spend mornings together on Radio Works' US95 radio show where they met and fell in love 25 years ago. Matt has been a voice for agriculture in the community since being hired as a farm broadcaster at KWOA in 1997.

Matt served as a Worthington Township supervisor and Nobles County commissioner and currently serves on the Worthington District 518 School Board. He is president of both the Nobles County Corn and Soybean Growers Association and the Rock/Nobles County Cattlemen’s Association. He leads efforts for the Farm-to-Table Scholarship Supper through his role on Worthington’s Agribusiness Committee. Teresa was an active volunteer at Worthington Christian School and on the King Turkey Day Festival board of directors, and she currently serves as her P.E.O. chapter president. The Widbooms open their farm to visitors each year, including through the Harvest Host online network, and are grateful for their involvement at Worthington’s Christian Reformed Church.

The University of Minnesota honors families and growers from across Minnesota, culminating in the 2026 Farm Family of the Year ceremony at 1:15 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at the annual Minnesota Farmfest near Redwood Falls. The event will be held on the Gilfillan Estate in Wick Buildings Farmfest Center.

Honored farm families cover a wide spectrum of farming, from traditional crops and livestock to community-based ventures and operations that produce 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.

Teresa and Matt Widboom (center) are shown with their children Riley and Myranda (at left) and Charley and Wesley (at right).