SALUTE TO FFA National FFA Week, Feb. 17-24, 2024
FFA is a Hansberger
family tradition BY JULIE BUNTJER The Globe
E
WORTHINGTON
van Hansberger’s family has been involved in production agriculture for as far back as he can remember, and if all goes as planned, he will be the fourth in his family’s lineage to earn the Minnesota FFA Degree this spring. “My great-great-grandpa, Kenny Hansberger, started this farm here, but the Hansberger name has been here since after the Civil War,” shared Evan from the farm where his grandparents, Steve and Vernietta Hansberger still reside north of Worthington. Evan’s parents Tim and Susan do the majority of field and book work these days, though his Grandpa Hansberger is still heavily involved and Grandpa Craig Edwards assists during the busy seasons. While Evan grew up in town, he has spent many hours on the farm. His earliest memories of farm work were picking rock — a chore he still does for hours on end during the summer. As he’s grown older, he’s helped with more of the mechanical work on their farm equipment. “I remember picking rock as a kid, going out in the field for eight hours a day or 12 hours a day on our 4-wheelers,” Evan said. “(Also), getting parts, sweeping and unloading bins, helping Dad and doing whatever he asked me to do. “I really like working on stuff — fixing things and just doing general maintenance on our tractor and combine every year, and learning how everything works from inside and out.” The Hansbergers are solely crop farmers, growing both corn and soybeans. That wasn’t always the case though, said Evan, noting the buildings on the farm that housed cattle up until he was about 4 years old. Whether it was from eyeing those empty buildings on the farm, or helping friends out with their 4-H beef project in recent years, Evan has decided to pursue a career that involves the beef industry. “I plan to go to Iowa State University and study animal science and minor in ag business,” he said. “I want to be a beef cattle nutritionist and also have my own cow-calf operation. “I’m very interested in livestock,” he added. “I’ve always enjoyed being around them and taking care of them.”
HANSBERGER: Page 12 Evan Hansberger plans to attend Iowa State University this fall to pursue a degree in animal science and ag business. Julie Buntjer / The Globe
Supplement to The Globe WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2024