C29 | October 2021 | Southern Minnesota Century Strong
Tonns say pandemic gave them time to apply for Century Farm status
Tina and David Tonn on their farm west of Waterville, with older aerial views of the farmland. (Tom Nelson photo)
By TOM NELSON editor@apgsomn.com
T
he COVID pandemic has impacted everyone’s lives for more than a year now, but it has also played a role in getting Century Farm status for the land owned by David and Tina Tonn of Waterville.
COVID this past year and everyone being at home, I just decided that we would try for it. We looked up the paperwork, everything was there and we could apply for it and that was great.
“Originally, I knew we were over 100
“When you stop and think that my relatives have been walking around on this ground for over 100 years, then it really starts to sink in that you are part of something special.”
the paperwork,” David Tonn said. “With
The history of the Tonn farm dates back
yyears, but we just got around to filling out
to 1907, when Max and Emma Lorenz purchased the original 110 acres just west of Waterville on Ridge Road. The maternal great grandparents of David Tonn, Max and Emma Lorenz, both immigrated to the area from Germany.
“I am not sure where they were from in Germany or why they came over here, but they were both here a few years before
◗ Tonn Farm continued on page 30
