Holidays are built on family and tradition, much like our nation’s great wheat farms. We would be remiss to celebrate the season without highlighting some of our growers’ fondest memories and traditions that shape their family farms.

The Jaeger Family — Jaeger Farms in Minneola, Kansas

The excitement the season brings creates so many wonderful moments throughout our lives. Matt Jaeger’s fond memory of opening an electric Bigfoot monster truck as a child was bumped down a few pegs once he and his wife had their first baby and experienced the joy of her crawling on the porch while they decorated for Christmas.

Nowadays, they celebrate as a family, going to church and singing Christmas carols in their favorite matching pajamas. Christmas wouldn’t be the same without hosting a company party, complete with prime rib and a highlight reel of the year’s hard work and fun times at the Jaeger Farms.

The Anderson Family in Valley City, North Dakota

For Bruce Anderson, Christmas 1998 brings a smile to his face and a tear to his eye as he reminisces receiving a very special gift from his father. The framed photo above was wrapped and gifted to Bruce to let him know that his dad would be retiring that year, leaving Bruce to lead the family farm. Knowing that the gift was his dad’s idea made it even more heartwarming.

The Anderson family is looking forward to enjoying their holiday at home, entertaining their family and friends. There’s nothing better than football on TV, playing games with the grandkids and celebrating one another.

The Anderson Family in Valley City, North Dakota

The Diesen Family — Diesen Farms in Wannaska, Minnesota

Dallas Diesen looks back and remembers big family suppers at Great-Uncle Walter’s house on Christmas Eve. It’s no surprise that Santa always left farm toys under the tree for Dallas, but now that his kids are growing up, Christmas morning is usually filled with the sounds of snowmobiles ripping around the Diesen Farms.

The Diesen family still enjoys a large supper at his parents’ house on Christmas Day, where his mom makes way too much food for everyone. We’ll take that as an invitation!

The Wilcox Family — Keith Wilcox & Sons in Rexburg, Idaho

Terry Wilcox and his family celebrate the season and make meaningful memories with their family band! The Wilcox children and grandchildren are planning a holiday bluegrass concert for the family to share their talents and spread cheer.

The Wilcox family farm has extensive help during the growing season, so the holidays are a time when they reward their team and encourage them to take a break and spend time with their family and friends.

The Wilcox Family — Keith Wilcox & Sons in Rexburg, Idaho