Kids Corner: The Marshik Family

Addison Marshik
16 years old
Eleventh grade

When do you do chores? I do morning chores from 6:30-9. I clean the mangers and milkhouse, let the cows out and back in and help my dad feed the cows.

What is your favorite and least favorite chore? My favorite is washing the milkhouse, and my least favorite is branding cattle.

What project do you enjoy helping your parents with on the farm? I enjoy driving a tractor. I can listen to music and relax.

Tell us a fun memory you have of living on the farm. Going deer hunting with my dad after morning chores.

What is your favorite animal on your farm? Our dog Niko. She’s a blue heeler and is a good farm dog.

What do you want to be when you grow up? I’m not sure yet, but I plan to go to college.

If you had a farm, describe what it would look like. Not sure. It would be something small and simple.

What is your favorite game to play on the farm? I like to toss a football or baseball with my brothers.

What is your favorite meal that your mom or dad makes? I like steak, corn on the cob and brownies.

What is your favorite thing to do off the farm with your family? Anything where my dad can take an evening or day away from the farm. This is usually for one of the boys’ games, a family gathering or work outing.

Are you involved in activities? What is your favorite and why? I am involved in the student council, the Minnesota Honor Society, Where Everybody Belongs, peer helping, the Spanish club and the prom committee. I also work after school at the school’s daycare center.

Joel Marshik
15 years old
Ninth grade

When do you do chores? When I’m not doing sports after school, I do afternoon chores. I give milk to calves, bed calves and scrape the alley.

What is your favorite and least favorite chore? My favorite chore is collecting the chickens’ eggs. My least favorite chore is spreading bedding for the calves because some of the calves are mean.

What project do you enjoy helping your parents with on the farm? Doing yard work like mowing the lawn and gardening.

Tell us a fun memory you have of living on the farm. Playing with baby kittens and going for runs on our land and in our neighborhood.

What is your favorite animal on your farm? My favorite animals on the farm are the cats. They are very cute and funny to play with.

What do you want to be when you grow up? I don’t know what I want to do when I grow up, but I want to go to college.

If you had a farm, describe what it would look like. It would have horses, goats, ducks, highland cows, cats and one dog.

What is your favorite game to play on the farm? I like to play fetch with my dog, Niko, or shoot hoops with my brother.

What is your favorite meal that your mom or dad makes? My favorite meal that my mom makes is buttered noodles the night before my races.

What is your favorite thing to do off the farm with your family? Watch sports or go shopping.

Are you involved in activities? What is your favorite and why? I am in cross country, basketball and track, student council and the jazz band. My favorite is track because we went to state last year, and it was really fun.

Luke Marshik
11 years old
Sixth grade

When do you do chores? 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekends and summer. My dad only has me do chores after school during the school year.

What is your favorite and least favorite chore? My favorite chore is when I get to load pigs because I get to chase the pigs. The worst is putting a cow in when she has a calf because it takes too long.

What project do you enjoy helping your parents with on the farm? I like mowing the lawn.

Tell us a fun memory you have of living on the farm. A big swamp fire on my birthday.

What is your favorite animal on your farm? I like my chickens. I like seeing them grow from baby chicks to big chickens that lay eggs, and colored eggs are fun to see.

What do you want to be when you grow up? A basketball player, but if I don’t make it, maybe a mechanic.

If you had a farm, describe what it would look like. Beef cows, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens and a farm dog.

What is your favorite game to play on the farm? I like to play basketball and football when I’m not doing chores.

What is your favorite meal that your mom or dad makes? Pork chops, sweet corn and milk.

What is your favorite thing to do off the farm with your family? Watch football on Sundays.

Are you involved in activities? What is your favorite and why? I joined cross country this year, and I play basketball and football. My favorite is basketball because I like playing with my friends.