BROWN COUNTY, Minn. — The Dittbenner family of Sleepy Eye has been recognized as the 2026 Brown County Farm Family of the Year.
Dittbenner’s Spring Creek Dairy began in the late 1960s with a stanchion barn, 160 acres and a small dairy herd. The operation gradually expanded over the years, growing to 120 cows with the addition of a milking parlor in 1995. Two robotic milking systems were installed in 2016. Today, the family farms about 500 acres of corn, soybeans and alfalfa while milking 120 cows.
The family operation is managed by Craig and Joleen Dittbenner, with support from their daughters, Courtney, Brittney and Destiney. Craig’s parents, Reynold and Vivian Dittbenner, also remain actively involved in the farm.
Beyond agriculture, the Dittbenners are active in their community. Craig participates in a local robotic milking peer group and regularly assists neighboring farmers with fieldwork and equipment repairs. Joleen has served on the Sleepy Eye Public School Board for 14 years and has also held leadership roles with the Sleepy Eye Public Basketball Boosters and Trinity Lutheran Church.
