Sep 18, 2019

Tweite’s Family Farm announces this is its last season

A Byron, Minnesota, farm has been in one family for more than 100 years and they have been opening up their home to the community for the last 31 years.

According to ABC6 News in Rochester, Minnesota, Tom and Colleen Tweite, owners of Tweite’s Family Farm say it’s a bittersweet end to an adventure that brought so much joy for everyone, but like all seasons, it’s time for a change.

“We’ve been doing this for 31 years,” said Tom Tweite.

For hundreds of families in southeast Minnesota, Tweite’s Family Farm is an annual destination in the fall. But after 31 seasons, Tom and Colleen Tweite say this year will be their last.

“I was given the opportunity to do what we do, share magical moments,” said Tom. Magical moments found in the homemade games on the farm, going down the big homemade slides, traveling the 12-acre corn maze and taking family photos in the pumpkin patch.

“We’re into our third, maybe fourth generation of people bringing someone here and it’s always neat to hear the stories,” said Tom.

The Tweite story included. The 109-year-old farm has seen five generations and Tom’s story includes one chapter about surviving cancer.

“I was given an expiration date, but as things turned out being blessed, I got 10 years and counting,” said Tom. “There are many people that are cured from cancer that most people aren’t even aware of because people always hear the bad stuff, but there are just so many survivors and that is something that should be brought out more.”

The Tweite’s say those years fighting cancer, shaped how they would spend the rest of their lives.  “Because of his cancer, our whole family has a different outlook on every day, every day is a gift,” said Colleen.  “What’s important now is different than what was important then, it’s family first.”

And family became the focus of their fun park. “We want parents to spend more time, it’s the simple things,” said Tom as he was explaining a storytelling exhibit on the farm.

“We’re all called to serve, hopefully we’re doing what we’re supposed to do,” said Tom. “This farm has seen everything, dairy, cows, pigs, wheat, but everything has its time,” he said.  Tom and Colleen say family once again, is the reason it’s time for change.

“Tom and Colleen are quitting for Tom and Colleen,” said Tom “We’re not quitting because of our health, or because we are going bankrupt, we’re not quitting for any other reason other than we feel at this point in our lives, it’s something that we need to do so that we can go on with the rest of our lives.”

“I want to see the trees change in the fall, we’ve never done that in our whole married life, so it’ll be nice to see that for us,” said Colleen.

While those leaves begin to change and families filter back, the Tweite’s are excited to share those magical moments with everyone, one last time.

“We’re honored to be a part of their Fall life, we’re just so happy they choose to come here,” said Colleen.

“It’s just awesome that you really touched someones life,” said Tom. “It’s meant a lot to us too.”

Tom and Colleen want to thank everyone for visiting their farm over the years and sharing their stories with them.  Tweite’s Family Farm opens for their last season on Saturday, Sept. 21 through Oct. 20.

Related: Agritainment efforts make Tweite’s Family Mark a top Minnesota attraction