CEO of Otter Berry Farms in New York Mills Kris Huebsch was named the 2025 Minnesota Farmfest Woman Farmer of the Year Thursday, Aug. 7, in Redwood County.

Farmfest strives to bring together the best in agribusiness from Minnesota and around the country and endeavors to provide one place for farmers to network, experience and learn to grow their farming operations.

Huebsch, a sixth-generation farmer originally from Northeast Ohio, was raised on a dairy farm where she developed a strong foundation in agriculture and was actively involved in both the farm and 4-H as a youth. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from Montana State University in Bozeman. Following graduation, she moved to New York Mills, Minnesota, where she joined her husband on his family’s corn and kidney bean farm. Outside of her work on the farm, she stays busy supporting her daughters in school and extracurricular activities. She also enjoys posting entertaining photos and videos of her farm animals on social media and has a passion for collecting and restoring Minneapolis-Moline tractors and memorabilia, a tradition passed down from her father.

In 2017, she and her husband opened Otter Berry Farm to the public with a u-pick strawberry operation, and by 2018, expanded to include a corn maze and pumpkin patch—transforming the farm into a true agritourism destination. A key driver of the farm’s continued growth, Kris oversees marketing, bookkeeping, website design, the hiring and training of 30 seasonal employees, and manages the full production cycle of strawberries and pumpkins—from variety selection and planting to  irrigation, cultivation, and harvest. In addition to the berry farm, she and her husband own and operate fROOTz, a bare root plant company serving commercial growers, farmers and home gardeners throughout the Upper Midwest. Kris oversees marketing for fROOTz and takes an active role each spring in preparing and coordinating plant orders and deliveries. Her strong social media presence further amplifies the farm’s impact, as she uses these platforms to share timely information, promote events, and educate the public—particularly those with limited connections to agriculture—about farming practices and rural life. 

Kris is an active member of the Calvary Lutheran Youth and Family Committee and also serves as a youth and teen mentor. In the agricultural sector, She has made significant contributions through her role with the East Otter Tail County Farm Service Agency, where she has served as a minority advisor and now holds the position of County Committee Chair. She is also a dedicated 4-H club leader and county fair judge. She is an active member of numerous industry organizations, including the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (MFVGA), Minnesota Farm Bureau, Perham Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota Grown, Otter Tail Lakes Country Association, the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), and NAFDMA—the International Agritourism Association.