Dan Pederson - Manitowoc County Century & Sesquicentennial Farm

Published Jul 25, 2024, 8:19 PM

Pine Lawn Farms, nestled along the Manitowoc River in Cato, has a rich history dating back to 1874 when Halverson Pederson, a Norwegian immigrant who worked on the railroads, purchased the farm. Halverson's son Clarence later took over, building a two-story farmhouse, parts of which include the original log house and barn. Clarence expanded the farm, adding a bull pen and calf pen, and raised 25 Guernseys. In the 1960s, Dan Pederson's father sold part of the land to the county, transforming it into what is now Lower Cato Falls County Park, while retaining 60 acres. Today, Pine Lawn Farms spans 110 acres, and though the family no longer raises cattle, the land is rented out and managed as an LLC by Dan and his two brothers, maintaining the legacy of their forebears.