Chris and Holly Dahl are continuing a tradition begun by Chris’ grandfather 81 years ago.

They live on the farm northwest of Albert Lea that he came to from Ellendale with a wagon and two horses.

While the farm may look different — groves of trees have come down and others planted, barns have been taken down and other buildings put in their place — the family enjoys being the third generation to live there.

The Dahls are being recognized today as the 2009 Farm Family of the Year at the fourth annual Agriculture Luncheon — an honor they describe as a “pleasant surprise.”

Chris is the son of the late John Dahl and Marvel Dahl, now of Albert Lea. He and his three siblings were raised on the farm.

Chris said he didn’t always know he was going to farm.

“I just worked my way into it,” he said. His family has lived on the farm for 13 years.

Holly said it helped that the farm was already established. “It’s hard to just step into it today,” she said of the industry.

Holly, the daughter of Dale and Jane Christopherson, grew up on a farm near Freeborn.

Other than horses, the Dahls don’t have livestock. About three-quarters of their farm is in corn, while most of the remainder goes into soybeans. They also plant some hay and sweet corn.

The family opened its own business, Dahl Farm Supply, six years ago. “We’ve always sold seed,” Chris said, adding they also sell chemicals and got into fertilizer this year. In addition, they sell grills and smoker grills, poly tanks and tire repair kits.

The business has grown so much that Holly left the job she’d held at ProTrucking for 19 years to help with it full time.

Daughters Jade, 19, and Jessa, 17, also help with the business and on the farm, mowing the lawn and baling hay.

Jade earned her cosmetology degree from Riverland Community College and now works at Cost Cutters in Austin. She lives in Albert Lea.

She said she chose a career that allows her to work with people. “I’m good with people,” she said. “I’m a mover and a shaker. I can’t help it.”

Jessa, a junior at Albert Lea High School, also works at Dairy Queen and is involved in Just for Kix.

“I like being out of town,” Jessa said of living on the farm.

Weston, 5, attends United Preschool three days a week. He enjoys being outside and the horses — something that can be said of the whole family.

They are members of the Sunset Saddle Club and take part in ranch rodeos, penning, trail riding and camping.

They take their horses to Custer State Park in South Dakota to camp for week each summer.

Holly is an avid quilter and works as needed at the Calico Hutch in Hayward. She’s also the Sunday school superintendent at West Freeborn Lutheran Church.

Chris is the head usher at West Freeborn Lutheran. He’s also been involved with the Soil and Water Conservation District and now serves as secretary. That involved a trip to St. Paul last month to talk about cost-sharing and water rights. The SWCD holds monthly meetings.

“There’s always something to learn,” Chris said.

The Dahls said they have a deep appreciation for their neighbors. “We have a lot of awesome neighbors here,” Holly said. “We would help them and they help us.”

“We watch out for each other,” Chris added.