The Farming Families of Iowa December 2023 by AGE Media and Promotion

December 2023 | www.AgeMedia.pub

Faith / Family / Friends / Farming

2023

of Plymouth County

YEAR IN REVIEW Revisiting some of your favorite stories.

The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | December 2023

December 2023 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

WELLNESS for LIFE

of Sioux County PUBLISHERS Garrett and Mindy Gross, AGE Media EDITOR & IOWA MANAGER Bob Fitch, AGE Media Direct advertising inquiries, story submissions and other correspondence to: 712-551-4123 bob@agemedia.pub © The Farming Families, Age Media & Promotion The Farming Families is distributed free exclusively to the farmers, ranchers and producers in rural Sioux, Plymouth and Lyon Counties. All rights reserved. Content in this magazine should not be copied in any way without the written permission of the publisher. The Farming Families assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. Content in articles, editorial and advertisements are not necessarily endorsed by The Farming Families and Age Media & Promotion.

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The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | December 2023

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2023 YEAR IN REVIEW

THE METZGER FAMILY Lyon County, January 2023

Mark and Audrey Metzger co-own Brookdale Angus north of Lester with their oldest son and his wife, Scott and Joni Metzger. Even when times were tough in the 1980s, “You get up the next morning and just start putting one foot in front of the other. Take it a day a time and trust in the Lord,” said Mark. Audrey has been a registered nurse with Avera McKennan for 40 years. The family’s previous herd of Registered Jerseys had many top 10 finishers at the All-American Jersey Show and, in 1998, was recognized as the #2 Performance Type Index herd in the nation. Metzgers left the dairy business in 2014. Lessons learned from the dairy business helped them develop a highproducing, good-uddered, good-looking herd of maternally excellent Angus cows.

Joni, Scott, Mark and Audrey Metzger. Front: Clara, Colin, Clayton and Callie.

According to Mark, “Our goal at Brookdale Angus has always been to produce structurally correct performance cattle with the commercial man in mind.” The operation has a strong artificial insemination program and has been on Angus Herd Improvement Records from the beginning. Scott said, “Our niche is a balanced program versus chasing the bright, shiny current trend.”

BRUCE & TERI BROCK Plymouth County, January 2023

From humble beginnings baling hay, shoveling manure and driving truck, Bruce Brock became an auctioneer, helping to sell millions of dollars in land and livestock as well as million-dollar works of art. Bruce is the owner of Brock Auction Company, Inc. of Le Mars. Following hard times in the 1980s, he enjoyed an upward trajectory in the auctioneering profession. Years of practice paid off in 1993 when he won both the Greater Midwest Livestock Auction Championship and International Championship. Then, in 1994, he won the World Championship, which proved to be a springboard of notoriety to help the company expand its brand. “The most gratifying part of our business is that it's allowed us to stay family-focused. Our daughter, Libby, is here in Le Mars and homeschools her kids. She’s the fourth generation of our family with a real estate license and works here on the real estate side. My wife, Teri, is the one who really runs the business. She’s been my partner and right by my side the entire 50 years we’ve been married,” said Bruce.

The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | December 2023

Bruce and Teri Brock in Brock Auction’s new offices in Le Mars. Bruce is an avid big game hunter and has conducted many auctions in support of national and international wildlife and conservation organizations.

THE KORVER FAMILY

Sioux County, January 2023

Kurt and Mary Korver farm near Alton with their son and daughter-in-law, Justin and Brittany, and help from their daughter, Jordan. Even as a former dairyman, Kurt is proud to wear the hat of pork producer. He and Mary put up hog finishing barns in 1996, 1997 and 2000. They custom feed for Smithfield. Mary is also a para-professional at Little Warrior Preschool. Justin and Brittany met at 4-H dairy goat competitions. Justin came to the conclusion, “If you can’t beat the competition, marry the competition.” The couple, along with her sister, Libby Ranschau, own a 50-head dairy goat herd. Their goats are shown at local club shows and also at state fairs in South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa. They hope some day to start an on-farm creamery to process the goat milk and direct market it to retailers and consumers.

Kurt, Mary, Jordan, Brittany and Justin Korver; and Brittany’s sister, Libby Ranschau. Front: Liam and Niko Korver.

In addition to the farm, Justin is a bookkeeper/project manager for the Dykstra family, who own The Wood Shop and Resources Unlimited in Orange City, plus Dwellings Décor in Alton. Brittany is a digitizer in the embroidery division at Staples in Orange City.

THE RULE FAMILY

Sioux County, February 2023

The Rule family of Hawarden has been part of the sheep industry for 70 years, including feeding, procurement, processing, breeding and showing. Third generation family member Tyson Rule is a trailblazer in the rapidly expanding field of artificially inseminating sheep. The American industry has lagged behind A.I. technology advances in Australia. Rule Sheep Co. is a major player filling that void in the U.S. Tyson’s father, Rob, fed sheep near Hawarden and also procured sheep for Iowa Lamb and Superior Farms. A graduate of Iowa State, Tyson worked outside of agriculture before returning to Iowa and the sheep industry in 2008. Working to build a fully-inclusive breeding business, Tyson started raising and selling lambs for 4-H and FFA exhibitors. Next, Rule Sheep Co. entered reproductive services as a pioneer in A.I. services in the U.S. After show lamb sales and reproductive services, the third leg of the operation is a rapidly growing animal nutrition business called Rural Supplements. The livestock supplements business is spearheaded by his wife, Amber, who was brought in as the organization’s chief operating officer.

Makenzie, Amber, Tyson, Madison and Maverick Rule. Madison showed the Reserve Grand Champion 4-H Market Lamb at the 2019 Iowa State Fair. December 2023 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

2023 YEAR IN REVIEW

THE TE SLAA FAMILY Lyon County, February 2023

Gary and Loren Te Slaa farm in collaboration with Loren’s son, Chad, near Rock Rapids. Chad and Loren are also partners in a small cattle feeding operation. Gary started working with his dad, Alfred, on the farm right after graduation from Central Lyon High School in 1975. In addition to cattle, he had his own farrow-to-finish pig operation into the 1990s, plus custom finished some hogs. After Loren graduated from Central Lyon 1980, he made the Te Slaa team a trio. “The three of us farmed together until Dad passed away three years ago. Now we've been keeping the farm going trying to get Chad started.” Gary’s youngest son, Lane, may also follow into the family’s farming tradition.

Chad, Loren and Gary Te Slaa farm near Rock Rapids.

At one time, Gary and Loren were farming ground not only in Iowa, but also in South Dakota and Minnesota. How did the brothers find success? According to Gary, “We’re just simple grain farmers really. We’ve got a little bit of livestock; and plant, harvest and spray a few weeds. Back in the day, you just worked till you got it done.” Loren’s answer: “Be honest and work hard.”

THE KELLEN FAMILY

Plymouth County, February 2023

Don Kellen passed away in August at the age of 91. He helped on the farm almost to the end of his life. “Work hard” and “take care of the livestock first” were two life lessons that became second nature to his youngest son, Dee Jay, as well as the other children and grandchildren he shared with his wife of 68 years, Mary Ellen. Dee Jay was a trucker when he and his wife, Bobbi, moved in 1991 to a farm Don owned near Le Mars. “I’ll never forget the day Dad came home and said he had bought a pot of calves at Sheldon and we were going to partner on them.” The feedlot grew little by little, year by year. Dee Jay said, “After we were into it six or seven years, then there was enough to just focus on the livestock here.” In 2005, he bought the acreage and feedlot from his parents and did a significant expansion. Today, sons Brandon and Jacob are full-time on the farm and daughter Brittany does the bookkeeping and human resources. Daughter Hailey is roped into work when she’s home from UNI. Front: Hailey, Dee Jay and Bobbi Kellen; and Brittany and Carter Lake. Back: Brandon, Don, Mary Jane and Jacob Kellen. 8

The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | December 2023

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December 2023 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

2023 YEAR IN REVIEW

THE VAN BEEK FAMILY Sioux County, March 2023

Vern and Ellen Van Beek farm south of Inwood, just across the line in Sioux County. They grow corn and alfalfa, helping to supply feed to local dairies and their son-in-law’s cattle feeding operation. Vern had one of the area’s first custom cattle lots starting in 1979. He still owns some cattle, but he’s no longer hands-on. “You just never walk away from responsibility when you have livestock. Cold weather, warm weather, hot weather – you're on duty,” Vern said. But he’s always enjoyed being his own boss. Their five daughters – Heidi, Sara, Rachel, Jodi and Lisa – were expected to help Vern and Ellen Van Beek with their grandchildren. Hudsyn; Allyra holding Saylor; Ellen when needed. “That’s just how it was. holding Deacon; Vern holding Jettson and Dena; Van and Eve. They helped bale hay back in the day and helped put hay in the barn. The girls it a lot now, how valuable that experience was. The scooped a lot of feed bunks in their day. They whined experience of living on the farm has helped them to do about it so bad when they were kids. Now they kind of the jobs they have today.” brag about it,” he said. Ellen added, “They talk about

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The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | December 2023

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December 2023 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

2023 YEAR IN REVIEW

THE KNOBLOCH FAMILY Lyon County, March 2023

Derek Knobloch farms, feeds livestock and is an ag/ business banking officer at Peoples Bank in Lester. His wife, Connie, is a para-educator at West Lyon School. Son Talin recently graduated from NCC and son Tayton is a junior at West Lyon. He started helping his dad with field work at a very young age. “When dad remodeled our farrowing house and we went from a pitchfork cleaning out farrowing crates to a modern farrowing house, it was an inspiration to take a renewed interest in livestock farming.” On top of his job at Peoples Bank and with help from his sons, Derek operates a cattle feedlot and custom feeds hogs in addition to the crop acres. “We feed cattle early in the mornings and do fieldwork at night with the help of good LED lighting on the equipment. Wearing two hats helps me to stay in tune with how my customers are feeling when things go well or when the markets go against us and the crops weren’t as good as we had hoped.” Connie, Talin, Tayton and Derek Knobloch. Photo by Dana Gail Rose, Rose Designs Fine Art Portraiture.

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The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | December 2023

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December 2023 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

2023 YEAR IN REVIEW

THE JAUER FAMILY Plymouth County, April 2023

Jauer Dependable Genetics prides itself on more than 40 years of consistency. Roger Jauer has long been committed to the production of efficient beef cows that can function in “real world” grass environments. His sons, Doug and Kurt, are just as committed to continuing the tradition. Rather than an emphasis on extreme E.P.D. numbers, Jauer Dependable Genetics has always focused on traits which affect the total value, longevity and dependability of the cow herd, such as udder quality, sound feet, good disposition and fleshing ability.

The Jauer family. Front row: Buzz, Roger, Karen holding Zoe, Deanna holding Adeline, Tony. Back row: Paxton, Doug, Chase, Sarah, Brent, Riannon, Kurt and Cadence.

According to Doug, “We kind of have a niche where our animals are very moderate frame and are easy fleshing, which means they get fat easily on grass and forage. There’s not a big supply of that kind of cattle right now. With today’s high cost of feed and gas and everything else, people are really looking for those traits and there aren’t many people flooding the market in our business of grass-type cattle.” On top of the genetics business and the traditional crop farming mix, the Jauers also began selling local, farm-raised beef a few years ago.

MIKE & PEARL SCHOUTEN Sioux County, May 2023 Mike and Pearl Schouten of Sioux Center feel blessed by a long marriage, six children, 19 grandchildren, and a fruitful career at Dordt University where they have helped prepare hundreds of students to go into God's kingdom and be His citizens to make a difference in the world. For 40 years, Mike has worked at the Agricultural Stewardship Center at Dordt. He helps train and supervise ag majors in the hands-on portion of their studies. Mike is quick to share credit with Pearl. “I couldn't do this job without my loving wife right here. She's been very supportive and, in times when students aren't available, she's been out there helping me. During Covid when school quit early and the students had to leave, she was out there running the tractor and baler. She’ll sort cattle with me if I need help. She’ll run the tractor to help me pull fence posts.” He makes the student experience as hands-on possible, telling students: “We're going to get dirt under your fingernails and manure on your shoes while you're here.” Mike and Pearl Schouten.

The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | December 2023

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The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | December 2023

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December 2023 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

2023 YEAR IN REVIEW

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The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | December 2023

The Fischer family. On the left are Carie and Bette; on the ladder from top down are DJ, Colton and Tom; on the right are Christopher; Brianna holding Beckett; and Jeremy.

THE FISCHER FAMILY Plymouth County, May 2023

Jeremy (“J”) and Christopher (“Pher”) Fischer farm near Hinton with their parents, Tom and Bette Fischer. To offset some of farming’s risk, they’ve diversified. In addition to corn, soybeans and oats, they do some custom farming and run a small cow-calf herd. According to Pher, “We always work in a few other things like seed sales, trucking, and fertilizer sales and application – not big business, just enough to kind of help out the neighbors and give us something to do.” J likes to stay home on the farm, working the cattle and spending time in his shop. Pher is completely different. “I'm an entrepreneur. Everybody's tells me ‘You're not afraid to start something.’ I’m very social and love interacting with people. Farming’s a job where you learn every day. I like that there’s always something new out there.” He continued, “Farming is our way of life and we love it. I love sitting in the planter and the combine. Likewise, I love calving.” Even though it’s long, cold hours, when a calf arrives, “You’re just so happy.”

LOREN & TERRI VANDEN BOSCH Lyon County, June 2023 Loren and Terri Vanden Bosch of Doon are complementary cohorts in life’s endeavors. She’s his sidekick in the hog barns and he’s her sidekick at quilt shows. Terri grew up on her parents’ farm in southwest Minnesota. Loren joined his father and brother on the farm right after high school. “A few years into it, Dad gave me the money to buy two sows. He told me, ‘When you sell the hogs, pay me back. If there’s anything extra, we’ll take the feed off and the rest is yours.’ And that's how we started off. It was a no-interest loan because that’s what dads do.” Loren both owns hogs and custom-finishes others. Terri is right by his side loading hogs.

Loren and Terri Vanden Bosch.

For 30 years, Terri has been “running wild” with her company, Lizard Creek Quilting. She won a national contest by AccuQuilt in 2016 and since then she’s been a frequent speaker at quilt guild meetings, where Loren serves as her sidekick, selling her merchandise. In addition, she’s begun designing patterns for her Signature Fabric lines, four of which are being sold by Island Batik.

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December 2023 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

2023 YEAR IN REVIEW

THE SCHROCK FAMILY

Sioux County, June 2023

Since meeting as Northwestern College students 25 years ago, the lives of Justin and Vicki Schrock have included more than a dozen mission trips to Guatemala, the adoption of three children and being foster parents. Justin is from Adel, Iowa, and Vicki grew up on the Maurice farm of her parents, Phil and Kathy Dykstra. Vicki has been both a social worker and a registered nurse, and now teaches nursing at NCC. Justin served as a youth pastor in California and at Maurice Reformed Church; and now works for Martin Brothers, a food products distributor. In addition, they opened an event center in 2017 on their acreage near Orange City. Working together as a family, the Schrocks have hosted weddings, reunions, funerals, church services, Christmas parties and leadership retreats. The multiple use nature of the facility is reflected in its name: The Triple Box. A triple box was a wooden wagon used by pioneers for hauling grain from the field, livestock to market, bringing the family to church on Sunday, or other tasks. The event center operates in the same spirit – multiple possibilities with a simple flair.

The Schrock family in front of The Triple Box event center, which is located south of Orange City. Pictured are Angelique, Caleb, Emilee, Vicki, Naomi, Justin, Miya and Kira.

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The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | December 2023

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THE ALEXANDER & TUCKER FAMILIES Sioux County, July 2023

Third generation farmer Marilyn Tucker is proud to have kept the farm in the family after her father passed away in 1998. Marilyn checks the livestock and helps prepare fields, plus does most of the paddock fencing with the help of her grandkids. In addition, for 15 years, Marilyn has spent a good share of every week loading cattle in and out at Sheldon Livestock, Sioux Falls Regional Livestock and Tri-State Livestock. Marilyn’s son, Robert Alexander, takes care of row crop management and helps on the livestock side, including tagging all the animals. Like his mom, Robert doesn’t follow agriculture’s standard playbook. He’s turned away from synthetic herbicides and fertilizers and towards the regenerative ag heritage of his ancestors. All crop ground is certified organic and the livestock are managed in accordance to organic standards. They practice management-intensive grazing with the cattle herd and sheep flock. Robert met his wife, April, while working at Van Beek Natural Science. Their children are homeschooled and part of their education is learning about farm animals and plants. Marilyn’s daughter, Mattie Tucker, is a first-year agriculture teacher at Le Mars High School.

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Front: Moriyah, Eliott and Adalynn Alexander. Back: Mattie and Marilyn Tucker; Robert, April and Arianna Alexander. December 2023 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

2023 YEAR IN REVIEW

THE BORCHERS FAMILY Plymouth County, August 2023

Barry Borchers grew up on his parent’s farm about 10 miles east of Akron. He became a teacher and guidance counselor, plus coached basketball for 30 years. His wife, Vicki, also grew up on a local farm before becoming a kindergarten teacher. Their sons, Bryan and Tyler, played basketball at Le Mars High School and then went to the collegiate ranks.

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“Farming is how I grew up,” Barry said. “I never ever dreamt I’d get to come back. But it worked out just because I got back in the area to teach. The longer I was back in it, the more I was hoping our sons would get a chance to be a part of it, too.” Thanks to Beitelspacher and Renken relatives, Barry, Bryan and Tyler have been able to grow crops and have a small cow-calf herd. Bryan also works as the logistics manager at Heyl Truck Lines of Akron (plus referees basketball). Tyler is an ag and business loan officer at Primebank in Le Mars.

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The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | December 2023

The Borchers family. Kids in front: Parker, Carter and Cole. Adults: Tyler, Grace, Scott, Amy, Barry, Vicki, Bryan, Ally, and Jacci. Photo by Laura Van Otterloo, LVO Photography.

THE SCHMIDT FAMILY Sioux County, August 2023

A lifetime of hard work came with its share of tribulations, but “We’re here today and had many blessings along the way,” said Elmer Schmidt of Sheldon. After serving in Vietnam, he returned to Sioux County in October 1967 and two months later married Mary Slothouber. After a year working for his brothers, Elmer and Mary struck out on their own, starting a multiplier herd, raising gilts and boars for KleenLeen. In 1972, they built one of the area’s first confinement buildings. Many producers came to see the facilities and many said, “I never saw such contented hogs.” That’s how the farm got its name, “Home of Contented Hogs.” Mary was in charge of farrowing and the nursery, as well as the production recordkeeping and farm bookkeeping.

The Schmidt family: Elmer, Mary, Ashley, Alyssa, Scott, Rebecca and Karlee (in front).

Their son, Scott, attended Southwest Technical College in Pipestone for crop and livestock management. He returned to the life of raising corn, soybeans and hogs. He finished buying his parents’ shares of the family corporation about two years ago. In 2010, they quit farrowing and began custom finishing for Center Feed Store of Sioux Center.

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December 2023 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

2023 YEAR IN REVIEW

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THE KNAPP FAMILY Lyon County, September 2023

Kevin and Cari Knapp own Knapp Time Dairy near Lester. “To do something average in this day and age is to be broke,” said Kevin. “Let’s face the facts … to make it as a dairyman today, you need to be the best of the best or you’re out.” Cari grew up on her family’s dairy farm in southern Minnesota and studied dairy science at SDSU and became a herd manager in South Dakota. Her education and experience complement Kevin’s education via the school of hard knocks. He grew up in Illinois; and spent his youth working for local farmers. He started milking part-time with just 13 cows. He and Cari married in 2002 and moved to Lester soon after. With Cari’s family connections in Minnesota and the fact that the dairy industry was vanishing in central Illinois, it made sense to look at northwestern Iowa as a new home. While Knapp’s have some hired help, “The elbow grease behind it is our family,” said Cari. Their five children, all work in the dairy. Their oldest, Nathan, hopes to eventually become a partner.

Kevin and Cari Knapp with their children along the fence: Logan, Erica, Angie, Tara and Nathan. Photo by Catherine Lefdal.

December 2023 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

2023 YEAR IN REVIEW

THE KLEINHESSELINK FAMILY

Sioux County, September 2023

Phil and Jeanne Kleinhesselink dairied for 20 years and today calve out stock cows on their dry lot for another producer. In her off-farm career, Jeanne is a long-time nurse and nurse practitioner, plus earned a post-master’s certificate for psychiatric mental health, continuing to work at Sioux Center Health. She’s a strong advocate for suicide prevention. Their son, Logan, lives on the farm, where he owns and operates 14 Welding. Most of Logan’s work is in agricultural repair and retrofitting. For example, if a hog integrator is installing wet/dry feeders, many will want to use existing gates, so he makes the parts to make the new feeder fit. His wife, Danielle, is a kindergarten teacher for MOC Floyd Valley. Phil and Logan represent a powerful one-two punch competing in the Light Super Stock Class on the Outlaw Truck & Tractor Pulling Circuit. Combining Phil’s expertise in tractor engine maintenance and repair with Logan’s skill in welding and CNC solutions, the Kleinhesselinks race “Doctor’s Order’s,” a 185 White tractor with a Cummins engine built by their own ingenuity, blood, sweat and tears.

Logan and Danielle Kleinhesselink, their daughters Zoey and Wren, and Jeanne and Phil Kleinhesselink.

THE KOOIMA FAMILY

Sioux County, October 2023

The Mark and Nancy Kooima family operate Pumpkins on Garfield, a farm selling pumpkins, gourds, broom corn, Indian corn, corn stalks, peppers, onions, potatoes, green beans, cabbage, cauliflower and tomatoes. Ingredients to make homemade salsa are a specialty. Customers can pick their own pumpkin straight out of the patch or choose from about 1,000 displayed inside. There are about 100 varieties available. Their 10-acre corn maze is a centerpiece to a lot of the fun. Their five children are instrumental in both the pumpkin business and the summer sweet corn/produce business. They sell sweet corn and produce in Rock Valley and Sioux Center in July and August. In a way, the family inherited the 30-year sweet corn business of Nancy’s family and the hobby sales done by Mark’s nephews and nieces. Nancy is the daughter of Alvin and Betty Bleyenberg, who farmed west of Sioux Center. She was the tenth of 15 children, all of whom grew and sold sweet corn to help pay tuition for Christian schools. The Kooima family. Front: Jolie, Gracia and Troy. Back: Connor, Ethan, Mark and Nancy.

The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | December 2023

Mark also owns and operates Precision Ag & Seed in partnership with Theo Bartman.

THE ELLENSOHN FAMILY

Plymouth County, October 2023

Gary Ellensohn started farming in 1979 with a quarter section of ground and two sows. He and his wife, Mary, worked up from there to about 150 sows. They switched from the breeding stock business to custom feeding hogs in 1994 which they continued until 2019. Gary and Mary recently moved into Le Mars while their son and daughter-in-law, Todd and Lori, moved to the farmstead. Todd works for Syngenta Crop Protection as a chemical sales representative and Lori is the marketing manager for livestock nutrition company Furst McNess. Both attended Iowa State. Lori said, “Our first date was moving hogs.” Todd said, “And our second date was power washing.”

The Ellensohn family. Seated: Marcus and Damien. Standing: Gary, Hadley, Mary, McKenna, Lori and Todd.

Their children all have experience showing hogs in open shows; and this was oldest daughter Hadley’s first year in 4-H. Hadley, Marcus, McKenna and Damien attend Gehlen Catholic School where their dad is president of the school board. They are the fifth generation of the family enrolled at Gehlen.

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December 2023 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

2023 YEAR IN REVIEW

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TERRY & SHERRY BOLDING

Lyon County, October 2023

Horses and good ol’ fashioned horse sense never go out of style at the Terry and Sherry Bolding farm and ranch in western Lyon County. The couple has both commercial stock cows and traditional crop ground. But their passion is breeding and selling Black Overo horses. Their breeding stock and a portion of the offspring are registered with the American Paint Horse Association. The couple started breeding mares and eventually their stallion Stormy (King Stormy McCue) sired about 200 registered foals, plus many non-registered foals. Their next stallion was Maxdee Blue and their current stallion is Rocket Two Freedom, another Black Overo.

Terry and Sherry Bolding riding the trails in the Black Hills.

Multi-colored Black Overo horses are valued in the show ring and for their good looks. The solid-colored offspring are a favorite of cowboys because the horses are big and good for roping. Regardless of color, the Bolding’s Black Overo horses are known for good conformation, substance, hooves and bone, and a pretty head. The couple still rides horses to sort their cattle. They enjoy trail riding in their pastures and in the Black Hills.

December 2023 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

FROM THE KITCHEN

CHRISTMAS COOKIES

CINNAMON STARS From www.germanfoods.org

DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat the oven to 280°F. 2. Finely chop or grind almonds (food processor works great). Whip the egg whites in a clean bowl until stiff. Sift the confectioner's sugar and gradually fold it under the egg whites. Reserve and put aside 2 heaped tablespoons of this mixture. Gently stir the almonds and cinnamon into the egg mixture. 3. Sprinkle the work surface with confectioner's sugar. Roll out the mixture to about ¼ inch thick. Cut out cookies using a star cutter and place them on a cookie sheet lined with nonstick parchment paper. Dip the cutter into confectioner's sugar from time to time to stop the mixture from sticking to it. Brush each star with a little of the reserved egg mixture.

INGREDIENTS • 14 oz unpeeled almonds 400g

4. Bake for about 30 minutes until crisp on the outside.

• 3 egg whites

5. The cookies should still be a little soft in the center.

• 2 cups confectioner's sugar plus extra for decoration, 250g Serve them with mulled wine and/or hot chocolate.

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

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• 1/2 lb unsalted butter • 1 cup sugar 200g • 1 egg • 4 oz ground nuts hazelnuts, almonds or others • 2-1/2 cups flour 250g • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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