ST. CLOUD, Minn. — The Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association (MSCA) awarded Kevin Hoge of Aitkin, Minnesota, as the 2024 Cattleman of the Year during the Minnesota Cattle Industry Convention in St. Cloud on Dec. 06.
Each year, the MSCA recognizes a cattleman that has made a positive and lasting contribution to Minnesota’s cattle community. The Minnesota Cattleman of the Year award recognizes a strong record of active promotion of the beef industry and a willingness to speak out publicly on behalf of the industry, as well as active participation in and supporter of the MSCA.
Kevin was born and raised on a small dairy and hog farm in Aitkin County which was established as Flat Rock Farm after marrying his wife Carol in 1981.
In the early 80s, Kevin began pasturing yearling calves for the summers. In 1986, the first bred Hereford heifers were purchased. Over time, the commercial cow/calf herd has evolved into an Angus Gelbvieh cross.
While working for Minnesota Department of Transportation for 30 plus years, Kevin always said he was a two-day a week farmer, but now that he is retired, he can farm seven days a week.
Kevin began an artificial insemination program in the mid 90s, and now all cows are synchronized and artificially inseminated once and then a clean-up bull is used.
In the early 2000s, Kevin began grouping calves with other local producers and selling in larger groups to feedlots. For the last 10 years, he has retained ownership of his own calves, and they have been sent to feedlots in Kansas, Nebraska and currently to a feedlot in Lamberton, Minnesota.
Kevin has been a dedicated member of the cattle industry for many years. He became a member of several local cattlemen’s groups through the years, including his local association, the Central Minnesota Cattlemen’s Association, which he is the current president of.
In 1988, he joined the MSCA and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and he has remained an active member ever since.
Kevin served as MSCA Region Six Director for two terms in the mid 90s. In around 2007, he became secretary for the organization, and he is still holding that position to this day.
During Kevin’s 30-plus years as a MSCA member, he has attended almost every annual Minnesota Cattle Industry Convention and Summer Tour, as well as MSCA quarterly meetings.
In 2003, Kevin and Carol were named Farm Family of the year for Aitkin County, and in 2021, their farm became a Century Farm.
Aside from cattlemen’s organizations, he is also a member of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation, Minnesota Farmers Union, St. James Catholic Church, Dam Lake Sportsman’s Club, Friends of Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Aitkin County FFA Alumni Association and Aitkin County High School Agriculture Advisory Board. Kevin is also a mentor for the Aitkin County 4-H Beef Project.
Kevin believes that membership in the MSCA isn’t an option for farmers and ranchers, but that it should be a requirement. MSCA and NCBA have become important organizations to him, his family and the ranching operation.
He always says the money spent on membership is well worth it to always have someone staying up to date on the current issues and watching out for the beef industry.
Kevin has a contagious laugh that keeps MSCA Board Members positive during even the toughest of times, and he is a crucial part of the Cattlemen’s team.
–Kaitlyn Root, Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association
