Russell Felsch Day – Friday July 11, 2008

Russell Felsch has been named to the Winona County Fair Hall of Fame for his contribution to agriculture in Winona County as a small family farmer.

Felsch and his wife Barbara live on the family farm near Rollingstone that has been in the family for four generations since 1916. Married in 1969, and the family includes children Patrick and Douglas, and Russell also has a granddaughter.

A 1958 graduate of Winona Senior High School, Felsch served in the U.S. Navy for four years, doing seabee construction. After that it was back to the family farm to a  “way of life” that Felsch greatly likes.

“I never knew anything but farming… it is hard work, but you have a freedom and can enjoy the sunshine,” say Felsch.

Felsch’s two sons now run the farm and he maintains “they are in charge” so he can go fishing. However, that doesn’t mean Felsch is not out helping his sons on a regular basis.

The farm has dairy cattle, and a variety of crops are grown including alfalfa and oats.

The Felsch family has been involved in 4-H over the years, and Brown Swiss cattle have been shown at both the county and state fair. Felsch notes his roots in 4-H go back to the Mount Vernon Meteors 4-H Club, a club no longer in existence today in Winona County. His mother was an active leader in the club, and Felsch jokes that joining 4-H was a given in his family.

Out in the community, Felsch is a member of Central Lutheran Church in Winona. At church he has served on committee and also ushers.