The connection between city and farming continues to grow farther and farther apart, but in Hugo, Minn., the Miron Farm is committed to connecting with their urban community. Fran and Mary Ann Miron, their sons Paul and Andrew Miron, as well as their families, milk about 120 cows and farm 800 acres of crops. “Our grandchildren represent the sixth generation to live on this land, eat its food, drink its water and enjoy life,” says Mary Ann. While Paul and Andrew live on the farm, Fran and Mary Ann have four additional children connected to their community, all working as agriculture or elementary school teachers.
Miron Farm was established in 1887 and resides within Hugo city limits, approximately 18 miles north of St. Paul. Fran has been involved with supporting and growing the Hugo community for over 25 years in elected offices, including Mayor of Hugo for 16 years, four years as a city council member and a county commissioner since 2012. He’s been able to use his agriculture expertise as a public servant and lead city- and county-wide projects that benefit Hugo’s growing urban community with its already existing rural areas. Fran, as well as his family, is also active with local dairy promotion, Dairy Herd Improvement and Farm Bureau boards.
“Dairy farming is truly a vocation which requires commitment to faith, family, friends and our farm,” said Fran. In 2019, the Miron family continued their commitment using funding from an Undeniably Dairy grant through Midwest Dairy to host the Washington County Breakfast on the Farm. The Mirons welcomed 2,000 people from their urban community and provided a first-hand look of local agriculture and dairy farming.
*Photos/videos featured in this article were taken prior to March 2020 before mandatory mask/social distancing mandates were implemented.