2022 Catholic Century Farm Awards

July 29, 2022

Award honors Catholic families in the diocese who have been farming the same land for at least a hundred years.

Since 2018, Catholic Charities along with Bishop Kettler of the Diocese of St. Cloud, has honored Catholic families in the diocese who have been farming the same land for at least a hundred years, with the Catholic Century Farm Awards. On August 14th, 2022 Catholic Charities and Bishop Kettler will once again present these awards at the Diocesan Rural Life Celebration. 


This year we will be recognizing six farm families who have cared for God’s creation in our Diocese. Honorees will be receiving a Catholic Century Farm Award certificate signed by Bishop Donald Kettler and Director of Social Concerns, Kateri Mancini, along with a special gift for their home in recognition of their outstanding legacy in faith-based family farming within our diocese.


The Catholic Century Farm Awards are a way that Catholic Charities and the Bishop of St. Cloud honors those Catholic families who have farmed and nurtured the same land for 100 years or more. Different from the state or county-based century farm registries, the Catholic Century Farm Awards are an opportunity for our whole diocese to recognize the deep connection between our faith and farming traditions, and reflect on our many neighbors who are living out the Catholic social teaching of care for creation through their vocation of farming and stewardship of the earth. It allows us to share our gratitude for the nourishment they provide to our communities in more ways than one through their faith in God and the work of their hands.


The six families we will be honoring this year come from multiple regions of our diocese. All six honorees come from different parish communities across five different counties. Our longest standing farm is celebrating 150 years this summer! The “youngest” farm honoree is celebrating 107 years farming in our Diocese. All our recipients have a strong focus on the importance of family and the legacies created through farming.


This year’s Catholic Century Farm Award recipients include:


  • Bauer Family Farm, established 1915
  • Czech Family Farm, established 1899
  • Ebnet Family Farm, established 1906
  • Kern Farm, established 1914
  • Michael Farm, established 1910
  • Rausch Family Farm, established 1872*

* Indicates a sesquicentennial farm.


What 2021 Catholic Century Farm Award Recipients Said About Their Farms


When farm families apply for the Catholic Century Farm Awards, they are asked to tell us a little bit about why the farm and farming is important to them. Here are some of this year’s recipients’ comments:


Bauer Family Farm. The farm is a great place to raise a family. Everyone helps with all of the work to be done.


Czech Family Farm. Being born and raised on a family farm has given me such incredible roots. Raising my family on this farm has been incredible. We love the whole part of it, the animals, crops, garden, yard, outside is where we’ll be! We are so proud to be here, caring and loving this farm. 


Ebnet Family Farm. Our family takes great pride in our farm, and we consider this farm our home. Since this farm had the first contour strips in Stearns County, we take great care in maintaining it. Our three children grew up helping with every aspect of the farm and all have a fantastic work ethic because of it. We are lucky to have raised them here.


Kern Farm. This farm is where our family has worked, played, hunted, and celebrated many events over the years. Not having this land would leave a void in our lives.


Michael Farm. This farm is our home. It is where we raised six children and milked cows before later switching to beef cattle. We couldn’t do the work without our children.


Rausch Family Farm. We take pride in the hard work that so many generations have put into the farm. We love that we can count on family and extended family to continue to come back and support the Rausch Family Farm. Working together and supporting each other keeps us close.


If you or someone you know has a Catholic Century Farm, or will be celebrating your family farm’s 100th year in 2023, visit the social concerns website to learn more and apply for this special honor. Applications submitted between now and June of 2023 will be honored at a special Mass with Bishop in August of 2023.

Our Recent News

Raphael’s Story at the Whitney Center

By Brittany Hoversten • September 16, 2025
Our team is deeply committed to providing a welcoming and supportive community for our seniors, and the journey of one special individual exemplifies this mission. Raphael's story began two years ago when he discovered our Senior Dining services at the Whitney Center, thanks to a recommendation from a friend. From the moment he walked through our doors, he found more than just a place to eat — he found a home. Raphael quickly became a cherished member of our Senior Dining community. He was drawn to the warm, inviting atmosphere and the delicious meals prepared by our dedicated Food Coordinator. Raphael often shared how much he appreciated the quality of the meals, a sentiment that echoed throughout his time with us. Beyond the food, it was the kindness and professionalism of our volunteers and staff that left a lasting impression on Raphael. “Such beautiful people,” he often said when talking about his experience with us. It was this sense of belonging that inspired Raphael to give back, and with the help of our Senior Dining Coordinator, he was able to become a valued volunteer. Whether helping in the dining room or assisting behind the scenes, Raphael’s contributions were always appreciated. However, life’s changes sometimes bring new challenges. Recently, Raphael’s schedule shifted, making it harder for him to visit us regularly. Yet, our Senior Dining Coordinator remained committed to ensuring he still received the meals he relied on. Despite Raphael not being initially eligible for Meals on Wheels, our team worked diligently to secure county approval, so he could continue to benefit from this essential service. For Raphael, this thoughtful care reinforced his belief that he is "blessed" to have access to our services. What stands out most for Raphael, however, is the personal touch he receives from our staff and volunteers. “Being greeted by name,” he says, “makes all the difference. It shows that you are valued and appreciated.” These small but meaningful gestures help to foster a strong sense of community and are what make the Whitney Center such a special place. A Call for Volunteers At Catholic Charities, we know that the warmth of our community would not be possible without the support of our dedicated volunteers. We are always in need of individuals willing to make a difference in the lives of seniors in our community. If you’re looking for a way to give back, we have opportunities in several areas: Delivering Meals on Wheels Preparing food in our kitchens Setting up dining sites for meals Serving meals to seniors Cleaning up after meals Assisting with clerical tasks These opportunities may vary by location, so please reach out to your local Catholic Charities Senior Dining Site Coordinator to learn more and sign up to volunteer. By offering your time and talents, you can help ensure that more seniors like Raphael continue to experience the sense of community and care that makes our Senior Dining services so meaningful. Thank you for being a part of the Catholic Charities family and for helping us make a difference every day.

Introducing Porch

By Jenna Pettit • August 14, 2025
The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Gordon's Story

By Jenna Pettit • August 14, 2025
We are always honored to serve seniors like Gordon, whose story reminds us of the profound impact our Senior Dining program has on the lives of individuals in our community. Gordon, a widower of 58 years, currently lives with his son, but he continues to make the five-mile drive to the Senior Dining congregate site in Maple Lake every weekday. For Gordon, this is more than just a meal, it’s a chance to connect, stay healthy, and maintain his independence. "I can’t cook, and often I’m left eating Cheerios and coffee at night," Gordon shared. That’s where the Senior Dining program becomes so vital for him. The nutritious meals provided at Catholic Charities help him maintain a balanced diet and ensure he’s getting the nutrients he needs. While Gordon says, “You can’t please everyone all the time,” he enjoys the meals offered and values the healthy options available to him. But it’s not just about the food for Gordon. It’s the sense of community he experiences each day when he visits the Maple Lake site. Gordon enjoys visiting the other diners and the staff, who he calls "perfect" and insists they "do their jobs well." He appreciates the laughter, the warm welcome, and the connection with others that make each visit special. Catholic Charities Senior Dining Program serves seniors aged 60 and over, offering nutritious meals that help them stay healthy and independent. Whether it’s through congregate dining sites, or Meals on Wheels services, we are committed to providing seniors with the support they need to lead a healthy, independent life. Gordon is one of many seniors who rely on this program, and his continued dedication to attending every weekday demonstrates the importance of these services in maintaining his health and quality of life. He says he plans to keep coming as long as he’s able—a sentiment that reflects the value that Senior Dining brings to seniors in our community. We’re grateful for Gordon’s participation in our Senior Dining program and for the positive impact it has on his well-being. For Gordon and many others, it’s not just about the food, it’s about the connections, the care, and the opportunity to stay independent and healthy.