Page 44 Stories of the Heartland • Sunday, September 21, 2025 hometownsource. com / heartland /
Tschida Family Farm: A century of strong family roots
BY SHEILA MCCOY STORIES OF THE HEARTLAND
Earlier this year, Tschida Family Farm in Pierz was recognized as a Century Farm at the Morrison County Fair on June 28. Owners Don and Mary Tschida were given a plaque and a sign at that time. Later, at the Minnesota State Fair on Aug. 28, they also received a red, white and blue ribbon from the Minnesota Farm Bureau.
Being recognized as a Century Farm means a lot to the Tschidas. Don said the thought of the farm reaching 100 years had been on his mind decades ago.
“ The year 2025 seemed like a long ways away, but yeah, back then I thought,‘ we’ re going to be a century farm then.’ And now, it’ s here,’” he said.“ I was just thinking this morning about grandpa and grandma, how they ended up here.”
Don’ s grandparents Martin Sr. and Mary Tschida established the farm in 1925. Although he doesn’ t know for sure why they left Philbrook, near Staples, to move to Pierz, Don said it was likely because Mary grew up there.
The farm buildings stand as a testament to four generations of the Tschida family. Their children Calvin, Adam and Amanda mark the fourth. In the beginning, Don’ s grandparents and later his parents, Martin Jr. and Margaret Tschida, worked the fields with horses. Over time, machinery replaced them.
“ You think about the machinery we have now. It’ s the same farm, the same land that was once plowed with a one bottom plow to these huge tractors and combines. You think about how much it has changed with agriculture, with farming, just on this farm in 100 years,” Don said.
As a child visiting his grandparents, Don remembers the small, original house having running water but no indoor bathroom. An outhouse served the family until an indoor bathroom was eventually installed.
Martin Sr. and Mary had six children— Katy, Regina, Mary, Bertha, Mike and Martin Jr. When Martin
Sheila McCoy / Stories of the Heartland
The Tschida Family Farm has been the home to several generations. This year, it was recognized as a century farm. Pictured are Don and Mary Tschida, with their dog, Ripley.
Jr. and his wife, Margaret, took over the farm, they raised nine children— Jerry, Marlene, Paul, Mary, Ron, Don, Laura, Lynette and Dorothy.
Though the Tschida Family Farm was established in 1925, the property itself was homesteaded in 1878 by Frank Boehm. Looking through old records, the Tschidas discovered the land was once called Evergreen Farm. In remembrance, they included the original name on the sign at the beginning of their long driveway.
Mary said she learned more about Boehm from a letter she received from Kristy Boehm of Texas, whose greatgrandparents were Frank and his wife, Mary. Kristy asked to visit the farm to see where her ancestors had once lived. During her visit, the Tschidas learned much about Frank’ s story.
A child of Austrian parents, Frank was 17 when his family came to America through New York City in 1868, according to“ History of Morrison & Todd Counties, Minnesota,” a book by Clara K. Fuller published in 1915.
After about 10 years in Fairmount, Dane County, Wisconsin, he moved to Agram Township and homesteaded 160 acres that later became the Tschida Family Farm. Don said Frank was instrumental in organizing Agram Township. The name came from Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, historically known by the German name Agram, and was chosen by settlers from Austria and Germany, Don said.
After farming for several years, Frank sold part of the property. Some acreage was rented out and the family moved into a home he built in Pierz. Frank also organized and led Boehm’ s Concert Band. According to an old Pierz notice from that era, he played first violin and was one of 12 musicians listed.
Mary said Kristy’ s visit to the farm turned into a wonderful time of sharing stories, with both families learning more about their past.
For Don, dairy production is among his strongest memories of growing up on the farm. Dairy was a cornerstone of its history and a passion passed down through generations. The family’ s decision to leave dairy farming in 1993 was not easy, but they knew it was the right move.
“ Both my grandpa and my dad milked cows by hand,” Don said.
Along with milking, each of the children had chores. Girls often helped in the house while boys worked outdoors. The Tschida family also raised about 300 broiler chickens and had laying hens. The children washed the eggs.
“ I think we actually got a penny or something for every dozen eggs we washed, if I remember right, as kids, and we tried not to break too many,” he said.
Reflecting on the farm’ s 100 years, Don noted that he and Mary are nearing their 45th wedding anniversary. They said it feels good to have carried the family legacy for nearly half a century— not only honoring the generations before them, but also those to come: their three children and seven grandchildren.