Kelsey Holst feeds a calf March 3 on her family’s farm near Zumbrota, Minnesota. Kelsey said she is considering a trade apprenticeship. PHOTO BY AMY KYLLO
Kelsey Holst feeds a calf March 3 on her family’s farm near Zumbrota, Minnesota. Kelsey said she is considering a trade apprenticeship. PHOTO BY AMY KYLLO
Kelsey Holst
Parents: Shane and Casey Holst
Zumbrota, Minnesota
Goodhue County
180 cows
Senior at Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School
17 years old

Questions for parents
Tell us your favorite experience of Kelsey helping with chores. We don’t necessarily have a favorite experience but rather a gratitude that our daughter is willing to help with the daily tasks. We have the opportunity to teach and guide her with hands-on experiences every day.

What qualities does Kelsey have that benefit the farm? Patience and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Also, she has a loving and caring nature toward animals.
 
Questions for Kelsey
What are your responsibilities on the farm? I help with milking and caring for cows and calves. I also occasionally help with fieldwork. I help with dehorning and administering medication. I help sort, fix fence, do pregnancy checks and milk test. I also help with other miscellaneous things.

When did you begin helping on the farm? I’ve been on the farm since I was a baby when my grandparents (Brad & Becky Holst) owned the farm and I began helping with chores in 2013 when my parents took over the farm.

How do you balance school, extracurricular activities and farm chores? I’m not in any extracurricular activities, but I try my best to do fun things during the weekends if employees are working.

How has working on the farm shaped your character? I’ve learned a lot of important life skills that I will use for the rest of my life. I’ve grown to be a responsible, respectful and hard-working person. I’ve also learned to be patient with others and animals because we all go through rough patches, and it’s important to have love and compassion.

What do you love most about farm life? I love seeing animals I’ve raised grow to be happy and healthy. I have learned different personalities and attitudes of cows and have a bond with them. I also love knowing I’ve raised generations of cattle.

What is one thing you have learned from working alongside your parents? I’ve learned communication. Things always work better when we are all communicating and working together to accomplish something.

What are your future plans? I am still unsure, but for a little while, I’ll remain working on the farm. My thoughts are to get an apprenticeship in some type of trade like carpentry or plumbing.