Minnesota farmer celebrates 105th birthday

One of the nation’s oldest farmers has a lesson in longevity.

Earl Mallinger just celebrated his 105th birthday last week.

He still tends to his thousand-acre farm in Oslo, Minn., north of Grand Forks. Though he now hires people to do the physical work, he still makes all the farming decisions.

Mallinger is one of the oldest working farmers in the country, farming sugar beets, wheat and soy beans.

He said he’s seen many advances in farming over the years, from hand tools to machinery.

Mallinger credits farming for his health.

“Farming is a very good business to be in,” he said. “It’s exercise, fresh air and you keep active.”

Mallinger says his secret to a long life is to keep moving.

Besides farming, he started golfing when he was 75 and didn’t stop until just a few years ago. He also meets weekly with a local group for widows and widowers, and enjoys time with his extended family—including his 60 grand- and great-grandchildren.