Rural Malcom family recognized with the Jim Urfer Spirit of Farming Award

     Don and Christy Kriegel of rural Malcom are shown with their family and a representative of the Grinnell Lions Club after the couple was recognized with the Jim Urfer Spirit of Farming Award during Ag Appreciation Day on Thursday, Aug. 27. Photo by Lexi Spooner.

By J.O. Parker
 
      A rural Malcom farm family with deep roots in traditional agriculture, row crops and livestock, who are also partners in a bison agri-tourism business, are the recipients of the 2026 Jim Urfer Spirit of Farming Award.
       Don and Christy Kriegel of rural Malcom were recognized at the annual Ag Appreciation Day held in Grinnell’s Central Park on Thursday, Aug. 27 for their contributions to the Poweshiek County farming community.
       Joining them in the operation are their four children, Neal, Karl, April and Crystal, along with their spouses and eleven grandchildren.
     The event, which has been under the direction of the Grinnell Lions Club since 2012, features tractors and farm equipment on display with a tractor of the year, a pedal tractor pull, petting zoo, food, music, a featured speaker, awards and honors, and a tractor parade as a grand finale.
       Don and Christy both grew up on farms and attended BGM High School.
       The couple met at the wedding of Don’s cousin. It just happened that Don’s sister was a classmate of Christy and she was in study hall with his brother.
       They celebrated 46-years of marriage this year.
       Their goal as a couple was to give their children the same experience they had. In fact, Don has spent his entire life, except one year, living between those two hills along 400th Avenue north of Malcom. Together they wanted to teach their kids a resilient work ethic, a foundation in faith, and the importance of family. 
       Proudly, Don and Christy attend all the grandchildren’s 4-H events, county fairs, horse shows, and anything else the family is involved in. They support all of their children’s endeavors from a custom application spraying business to hosting visitors at Sunset Hills Bison Ranch & Lodging. It’s there that guests get to see bison up close and spend the night in a fully-functional cabin or one of the three Conestoga glamping covered wagons on the ranch.
       The bison ranch was the idea of Don and Christy along with their son, Karl, and his wife, Bethany, and son, Neal. 
      When asked what keeps the family involved in agriculture and agri-tourism, Christy said, “We can’t image any other way of life. It’s always been that way.”
       “It’s a good family occupation,” added Don.
      When asked about being recognized with the Jim Urfer honor, “We were very surprised,” said Christy. “We were pretty honored that they selected us.”
         Don chimed in, saying, “His family never expected anything like that.”
        And lastly, Don said the farm that he and Christy call home will be a Century Farm in 2042.
          “I hope I am here to see it,” he said.

      Don and Christy Kriegel of rural Malcom are shown with their family and a representative of the Grinnell Lions Club after the couple was recognized with the Jim Urfer Spirit of Farming Award during Ag Appreciation Day on Thursday, Aug. 27. Photo by Lexi Spooner.