By Crystal Reith The Blair and Tami Hellewell family of rural Balaton have been named the Murray County Farm Family of the Year, an honor recognizing not only their diversified farming operation but also their commitment to agriculture, family and community.
The recognition was unexpected, but the family is grateful for the recognition.
“It’s an honor,” said Tami. “It’s a great place to be and farm.”
Blair grew up on a sheep farm in New Zealand and came to Minnesota in 1997 through the University of Minnesota’s Minnesota Agricultural Student Trainee (MAST) program. He was placed with Ron and Connie Schwartau near Balaton, where he met Tami.
The couple married in 1999 and invested in a small flock of sheep, gradually growing the operation while also expanding the family’s crop acres.
Today, the Hellewells farm about 1,400 acres of corn, soybeans, alfalfa and oats while managing approximately 350 commercial ewes. Their operation also includes valueadded businesses, producing Ewe’nique Fertilizer wool pellets and Woolly Cozy Beds, a line of wool pet beds that daughter Jayda operates.
“Animals helped me get started in farming in the United States,” Blair said. “I chose an animal I thought I knew a lot about.”
Although sheep production in New Zealand differs significantly from Minnesota, Blair credits the Minnesota West Lamb and Wool Program in Pipestone, along with Ron and Connie Schwartau, for helping him adapt and build a successful flock.
“Partnering with people who are knowledgeable and having a willingness to learn makes all the difference,” said Tami. “Ron and Connie helped us get started.”
The Hellewells believe diversification has strengthened their operation while allowing them to pursue opportunities beyond traditional farming and advances in technology have helped improve efficiency and reduce waste.
“It allows us to do more precise farming,” Blair said. “We’re more productive with what we’ve got. I’ve never had the desire to be the biggest farmer, but to do the best with what we’ve got.”
For the Hellewells, one of the biggest challenges in farming is adapting to constant change.
“There’s always something different around the corner,” Blair said. “One year is never the same as the next. You’re always learning new practices and dealing with things you never expected.”
Because of that, Blair believes successful farmers shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help.
“Rely on experts,” he said. “Other people have done it before or have more education in specific areas than I do.”
For Tami, one of the greatest rewards has been raising their family on the farm. Daughters Ashley, Jayda and Joelle grew up helping with lambing, feeding, sorting, vaccinating and shearing sheep.
Ashley now works as a neonatal intensive care unit nurse in Sioux Falls and recently married Nathan Kuehl. Jayda graduated this past spring from Minnesota West Community and Technical College with an associate degree in agricultural production and technology and has returned to the farm full time. Joelle, a junior at Murray County Central, continues to help on the farm while staying active in school activities.
As she joins the operation full time, Jayda is excited to work alongside Blair and continue building on the knowledge and skills she gained while growing up on the farm.
“The first few years will just be really learning. It will be a great opportunity to learn more skills,” said Jayda, who credits both of her parents for building the operation through hard work and dedication.
Looking ahead, Jayda hopes to help move the operation forward by providing a younger perspective, particularly through education and social media.
Beyond the farm, the Hellewells are active in Skandia Evangelical Free Church, Murray County 4-H, Murray County Central FFA, school activities, and the Pipestone Lamb and Wool program. Tami also works off the farm as an occupational therapist.
