A good neighbor

SLEEPY EYE, Minn. — Helping others is an important character pillar for Craig and Joleen Dittbenner, which has led to their being named the Brown County Farm Family of the Year. 

“It ranks above every award I have received,” Craig said. “This award is for all of the work we do on and off the farm, not just one or the other.”

Joleen agreed.

“We were just living life and doing what we do,” she said. “We weren’t trying to be noticed. It is exciting, and we were very surprised.”

Craig and Joleen, along with Craig’s parents, Reynold and Vivian, own Spring Creek Dairy near Sleepy Eye, where they milk 120 cows with two milking robots and farm 500 acres. Reynold is mostly retired but helps with fieldwork when he can, and Vivian helps with calf chores. Craig and Joleen’s three daughters, Courtney, Brittney and Destiney, helped on the farm when they were still living at home. Joleen holds a full-time job off the farm but helps when needed.

“The girls are all in, or working towards being in, the medical field, and I think growing up on the farm taught them to be better caregivers by learning how to care for the animals first,” Joleen said.

Along with caring for the animals, the Dittbenners’ daughters have learned by example.

“It’s important to be a well-rounded person and to help with things in the community by volunteering when you can,” Joleen said. “It is a joy to see the difference you can make when you volunteer.”

Joleen has served on the Sleepy Eye Public Schools school board for the past 14 years. She also teaches Sunday school and participates in various committees at church, including Altar Guild as director.  She has also served with the Sleepy Eye Basketball Boosters.

Craig helps local farmers make hay or haul manure, plows snow for neighbors and friends, and does custom combining and chopping. He helps Joleen at school and church, just as she lends him a hand when it is needed.

“You try to help out when you can,” Craig said. “It’s one way to get the mind out of the 1-track mindset of dairy all the time.”

While the Dittbenners’ daughters were in school, they were encouraged by their parents to be involved. All three of the girls were in FFA, basketball, volleyball and cheerleading.  Two daughters also played softball.

“They learned to ride the highs and lows of being in sports, which is just like farming,” Joleen said. “They never complained and would help on the farm anytime they were able.”

Two of the Dittbenners’ daughters, Courtney and Destiney, along with Reynold and Vivian, accompanied Craig and Joleen when they were recognized as the Brown County Farm Family of the Year, joining them on stage during the 2026 Farmfest at Gilfillan Estate near Morgan.

“It was emotional and came with a strong sense of pride (to be recognized),” Joleen said.

While farms of all types were honored, Craig said they were proud to represent dairy farmers.

Craig inherited his dairy passion growing up as a second-generation farmer. He said cow care at Spring Creek Dairy has evolved with the industry. In his younger years, the family milked 40 cows in a stanchion barn. He returned to the farm full time in 1992, built the freestall barn and parlor in 1995, and expanded the herd to 130 cows. In 2016, the newest technology was installed: a pair of milking robots. Down the road, they plan to add automatic calf feeders.

“I love working with the animals; always have,” Craig said. “That’s why I wanted to dairy farm.”