Schwartzes awarded Wadena County Farm Family...what a "sweet" honor
by Trinity Gruenberg
Nestled among maple and birch trees in rural Sebeka, Brenda and Les Schwartz built their Sugar Shack to make maple syrup.
Les and Brenda are both 1975 Sebeka graduates, and the exact same age, sharing a birthday which is August 3. Les grew up on a dairy farm. The couple was high school sweethearts, and have been married for 44 years.
Les used to teach electronics and telecommunications at the tech college in Wadena for 24 years, and in the summer he would grow produce to sell at the farmer’s markets. He now works at Lunds as a CNC wood router operator.
Brenda has worked at Wadena County Human Services in the accounting department for the past nine years. She previously did in-home child care for many years.
The couple has two sons, Eric and his wife Maria have four kids and reside in Eagan; Rory and his wife Leah live in Perham. They come and help tap trees when they can.
The Bluffton residents bought the farm in Sebeka about 20 years ago. Les grew up in Sebeka and a relative used to own the property. . .