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JR. <br /> UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA NEWS & INFORMATION <br /> EXTENSION <br /> NEWS RELEASE <br /> Media Contact: Kim Ferguson, Administrative Assistant, University of Minnesota Extension, <br /> Anoka County, fergu029@umn.edu, 763-324-3495 <br /> Anoka County Farm Family of the Year and a Century Farm <br /> Recognized at Farm Bureau Event <br /> ANDOVER, Minn. (August 14, 2024) The Anoka County Farm Bureau held their Annual <br /> Dinner and Meeting on August 5 at Majestic Oaks with 65 guests attending. Highlight of <br /> the event was the recognition of the 2024 County Farm Family of the Year, Tamblyn's <br /> Farm and Greenhouse, and the DeLong's Century Farm. <br /> Tamblyn's Farm and Greenhouse, a family vegetable and flower farm located in Blaine <br /> was chosen as the University of Minnesota Extension's 2024 Farm Family of the Year. <br /> The U of MN Farm Family Recognition Program honors farm families throughout the <br /> state for their contributions to the agriculture industry and their local communities. <br /> Irene Tamblyn and her late husband, Ronald, purchased a farm in 1957 that was, at the <br /> time, known as Sandy Ridge Poultry Farm. Irene and Ronald raised horses, sheep, cows, <br /> chickens, geese, pigs, and guinea hens. In the late 1960's the family began growing <br /> cucumbers and was the biggest producer of cucumbers for Gedney Pickles in Anoka <br /> County one year. <br /> In 1991, the farm began selling annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs to the public and <br /> was officially named Tamblyn's Nursery. In 2008, the farm changed its name to <br /> Tamblyn's Farm and Greenhouse. <br /> Today, the farm operations focus on produce, annuals and perennials. The farm is best <br /> known for its delicious sweet corn. The farm makes its produce, annuals and perennials <br /> available to the public at the Minneapolis Farmers Market and at the farm. The farm also <br /> hosts a fall harvest festival for the community. <br /> Irene Tamblyn, age 94, and sons Ron and Carl are involved in the farm and the <br /> greenhouse. Ron and Carl are primarily responsible for the day-to-day operations. Family <br /> and friends help start the farm's operations and they continue helping today so the farm <br /> can provide quality, affordable products. <br /> The farm and its owners care for and proudly support their community by donating to <br /> organizations such as the Bridges program, Blaine Veterans Memorial Park, Blaine band, <br />