of Minnehaha County FEBRUARY 2019
Meet the
MOHRHAUSERS
FAITH
/
FAMILY
/
FRIENDS
Photo by AllScapes Photography
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FARMING
OUR PHILOSOPHY There was a farmer who grew excellent quality corn. Every year, he won the award for the best grown corn. One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learned something interesting about how he grew it. The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbors. “How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbors when they are entering corn in competition with yours each year?” the reporter asked. “Why sir,” said the farmer, “Didn’t you know? The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn.” So is with our lives... Those who want to live meaningfully and well must help enrich the lives of others, for the value of a life is measured by the lives it touches. And those who choose to be happy must help others find happiness, for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all. -Author Unknown
Call it power of collectivity. Call it a principle of success. Call it a law of life. The fact is, none of us truly wins, until we all win!
One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. Proverbs 11:24-25
THANK YOU! FEBRUARY 2019 Mindy and I want to say thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth to say hello at the Sioux Falls Farm Show. With this type of publication, we love to hear from our readers. It was great to hear how much they enjoy our publications. We thank you for the kind words. We appreciate the businesses who fund this publication. Without them, this would not be possible. Next time you patronize a business that's on the pages of our publication, please tell them thank you for supporting this project. We don't claim to be perfect, and we know we'll make some mistakes and typos, but our team puts a great deal of time, heart, and effort into each issue. We hope that you enjoy each issue as much as we enjoy putting them together. This year marks an exciting time for us as we are expanding into northwest Iowa. We are very excited to launch publications for Lyon, Sioux, and Plymouth counties in April. Based on feedback
2 / The Farming Families of Minnehaha County February 2019
from Iowa farmers who stopped by our booth at the Farm Show, we anticipate this to be a great success. There are great families with wonderful stories everywhere. If we feature a story in our Iowa magazines we think you'll also enjoy, we'll share it in this publication too. It's always nice to learn about new people and their stories. Thank you for your support!
Garrett Gross Principal AGE Media (515) 231-9367 Garrett@agemedia.pub
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FAMILY
THE MOHRHAUSERS Photos by AllScapes Photography, unless noted otherwise
Adam Mohrhauser, a fifthgeneration farmer, raises crops and animals on the land homesteaded by his greatgreat grandparents Nis and Annie Byg 129 years ago. Several generations of the Byg family have farmed the land, and a lot has changed from generation to generation. Although Adam has adopted new practices and technology to maintain efficiency and sustainability on the farm, his commitment to carry on the tradition is just as strong as it was for the generations before him. Adam always planned to farm. He gained many skills growing up and helping his parents, Gilbert and Rosemary, and working with his five siblings. All but one sibling continue to be involved in agriculture. After graduating from Tri-Valley High School, he attended South Dakota State University. He began working nights at John Morrell & Co. and farmed during the day. Adam met his wife, Ye, when they were both interns at John Morrell. The couple has been married for 13 years and has an eight-year-old daughter named Chanel, who is involved in 4-H and plays soccer and basketball.
8 / The Farming Families of Minnehaha County February 2019
Adam, Ye and Chanel Mohrhauser
In 2011, Adam bought his father's share of the cow herd and started farming full time. His dad helps a lot with the day-to-day tasks. Ye, a nurse at Sanford Health NICU, helps run the grain cart during harvest. Adam recalls the time he gave her a five-minute training session on how to run the grain cart: "She was doing a great job, and Chanel came home from school and rode with her and told her she was doing it all wrong because she'd never driven a tractor before." He says Chanel likes to help by riding along. "She lets us know if we're doing it right or wrong," he adds. To improve efficiency on the farm, Adam and his dad use autosteer on the tractor for planting and spreading fertilizer. They also utilize automatic shutoffs and variable rate planting on their planter. "We have implemented no tillage into our corn and soybean crops and the use of cover crops after we harvest oats," says Adam. "We started trying cover crops about six years ago, and it has worked out well to extend the time that cows can graze on the crops each year." Adam's parents' farm is the "headquarters" for the operation. In 2013, the South Dakota Farm Bureau and South Dakota Department of Agriculture recognized the farm as a Century Farm. Then in
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2016, the farm was recognized as a Quasquicentennial Farm. In 2016, the farm had been in the family for 126 years. Until last spring, the house Adam and his siblings—and their mother, Rosemary—grew up in was the oldest standing structure on the farm. Gilbert and Rosemary tore down the 108-yearold home in May 2018 and built a new one on the home place. Adam is actively involved in many local associations, including serving as treasurer for Sioux Basin Cattlemen's Association, supervisor for Lyon Township, member of Tri-Valley FFA Alumni Association, member of St. George Knights of Columbus, and member of the planning and zoning committee for Minnehaha County.
Adam answers questions from fourth-grade students through Ag United’s Adopt a Farmer program. (Photo provided by Ag United.)
Adam teaches fourth-grade students about the technology and equipment used in farming and how it has improved over the years. (Photo provided by Ag United.)
Adam's passion for farming has inspired him to participate in Ag United's Adopt a Farmer Program. He started in 2013 and over the years has visited several fourth-grade classrooms in Harrisburg Explorer and Endeavor Elementary Schools, Longfellow Elementary and L.B. Williams Elementary Schools in Mitchell, and West Central Elementary. During his school visits, he shows students how much technology and equipment has improved over the years. "I record seven videos for each class to view during the school year highlighting what we do during that month. The students always have good questions," explains Adam. He enjoys teaching the everyday uses for soybeans and corn. He also brings samples of corn, beans, ears of corn, some alfalfa hay and mixed feed samples for the cows, so the students know how each smells and feels. Through Adam's involvement in Ag United's "Adopt a Farmer" program, it is evident his goal is not only to preserve the history of his family farm but also to inspire youth to discover a passion for agriculture: "Hopefully they [the Adopt a Farmer program students] learn a little about agriculture and how we apply math and science to our everyday lives."
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KEEPING LOCAL HISTORY ALIVE
Fenn’s 1910s
Fenn’s, 1904
butter, milk, eggs and corn syrup they procured from local suppliers whenever possible.
FENN’S CANDY AND CONFECTIONERY
From an agricultural perspective, Fenn’s purchased many of their key ingredients from area producers through local dairies and creameries. U & I Sugar once had a sugar refinery in Belle Fourche, S.D. Most of their sugar beets came from the Belle Fourche area, and western Nebraska. Some farmers in mid and eastern South Dakota also raised sugar beets.
D ow n tow n S i o u x Fa l l s is bustling with large construction projects and cranes building large hotels and office buildings. The 100th block of East 10th Street marks the location of the construction of a $50M fifteen-story hotel. From 1898 up until the early 1970s, this footprint marked the home of Fenn’s Inc. owned by brothers Henry C. and James Waterman Fenn, who originally started selling soda pop and distributing Old Style Lager Beer. Their business evolved to become Fenn’s Candy and Confectionery.
They made candy, ice cream and candy flavorings, and their products were distributed to almost every state across the country.
and original artwork whenever possible. Fenn’s was also wellknown for their catchy oneliners like, “Got a nickel? Butter Brickle” and “Fenn’s – That Good Ice Cream.”
At their peak, Fenn’s was one of the largest employers in Sioux Falls with more than 175 employees in the early 1960s. Fenn’s success was due to several reasons:
S e co n d l y, Fe n n ’s a l s o understood how to maximize distribution channels. They had distribution facilities in key markets around the country.
First, they had great marketing and advertising strategies. Their local and national campaigns included many ads that featured full color
Finally, perhaps the most important factor to Fenn’s success was their priority to use only the highest quality ingredients. They used real
12 / The Farming Families of Minnehaha County February 2019
SERVING SOUTH DAKOTA FROM SOUTH DAKOTA SINCE 1916
Fenn’s made several candy bars that were big hits including Walnut Crush, Butter Brickle, Big Bogie and Royal Brazil’s. At one point, Fenn’s was the largest importer of Brazilian nuts in the country. Fenn’s closed their doors in Sioux Falls in 1971, and the only vestige of Fenn’s in the marketplace is a product from Hershey’s called “Heath Bits ‘o Brittle Toffee Bits.” One of Fenn’s assets was purchased by a company that was eventually purchased by Heath which was purchased by Hershey’s. Fenn’s products were distributed all over the country, but they always focused on being part of the local community. One thing they were known for was their “Fountain Room.” This space served as a community event space for private parties and various civic organizations. The best
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part of this service was that groups holding their meetings at Fenn’s would be given an endless supply of candy and ice cream—free of charge. To many, it was like a local Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in Downtown Sioux Falls. So, what was the reason for Fenn’s not being in operation today? Obviously, there are many reasons for this, but most likely, as corporate America became bigger and bigger and margins became thinner and thinner, the expenses associated with using real ingredients became too tough for them to compete.
In the area, you will still find many people who have fond memories of Fenn’s products. Some of Fenn’s employees still live in the area, and there is a very active following of people who collect Fenn’s memorabilia. When local antique stores and thrift shops set a Fenn’s item on their shelves, they don’t last long. If you’d like to learn more about Fenn’s, check out the “Remembering Fenn’s” Facebook page or visit www.fennsremembered.org.
Fenn’s “Fountain Room” was a popular event space for private parties and gatherings for organizations. Those holding meetings or events there enjoyed an endless supply of candy and ice cream free of charge—like a local Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in Downtown Sioux Falls.
Fenns, 1950s
14 / The Farming Families of Minnehaha County February 2019
Fenn’s Sugar Storage
February 2019 The Farming Families of Minnehaha County / 15
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WOULD YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY ALSO ENJOY THIS MAGAZINE? of Lincoln County MARCH 2018
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FAITH • FAMILY • FRIENDS • FARMING FAITH
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SIOUX FALLS CHAMBER NEWS
“Each year the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce names a Farm Family of the Year. This honor recognizes a local family that is dedicated agriculture and represents the industry to others in a positive way. The Chamber’s Agri-Business Division found that the Schmeichel family fits that description perfectly. They are devoted to feeding the world and highlighting the important economic driving factor the ag industry is in South Dakota, and more specifically, the Sioux Falls area.” - Holly Rader, Agri-Business Division Manager Steve Schmeichel
L to R: Ben (Susan's hus¬band), Susan, Tom (Paula's husband), Paula, Vail (Tom & Pau¬la's daughter), Debra, Steve, Jessica (Ethan's wife), Ethan | Photo by Amanda Fritz Photography
SCHMEICHEL FAMILY HONORED AS 2019 FARM FAMILY OF THE YEAR BY Wendy Sweeter | For the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce For Steve Schmeichel, his home west of Hurley, South Dakota, has been his home for all but five years of his life–and even then, he was only four miles away. The Steve and Debra Schmeichel family has been selected as the 2019 Farm Family of the Year by the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Agri-Business Division. "It was right after I got married and my folks still lived here at that time," Schmeichel said of his four years living away from the farm. He and Debra met when they were in high school at Freeman Academy. Schmeichel spent two years at Freeman Junior
College where he learned more about agriculture and played basketball before he started farming full-time. Schmeichel grew up on a hog and cattle operation. When he was a sophomore in high school, he bought two bred gilts at the South Dakota Yorkshire sale and started raising purebred hogs. He sold a lot of boars to commercial producers in the area, but also exported some to Mexico and Korea. Today, he still raises some purebred hogs, but most of Schmeichel's hog operation is a 140 sow farrow-to-finish operation with a 2,400-head custom feeding barn. In addition to hogs, they also run 60 cow/
20 / The Farming Families of Minnehaha County February 2019
calf pairs, plus farm about 1,500 acres of corn and soybeans. Next spring, he and seven other local families plan to start construction on a 5,400-head sow operation. In addition to the farming and livestock operation, Schmeichel also runs S&S Ag Supply LLC. His grandpa started selling seed 50-60 years ago and then his dad sold seed. Now Schmeichel sells Channel seed and his son, Ethan, daughter, Paula VerDouw, and friend Joe Schaefer are partners in the business. They sell wood pellet grills, heaters, Exmark lawn mowers and precision ag equipment. "We don't farm by the acre anymore, we farm by the inch
and it's getting to be that way technology-wise. We throw all this precision stuff on our planters and then on our combines and map it all and we variable rate our fertilizer and variable rate our seed. The only thing we haven't been able to figure out is we haven't been able to variable rate the rain at the right time," he said. Schmeichel is glad to have two of his three children involved in the family business. He never thought his oldest daughter, Paula, would have any interest in the farm operation when she got her degree in accounting from Augustana University. "It's the people that you have around you that make things better and understand what you're doing. We're pretty fortunate that we have family that's interested," Schmeichel said. "I would've never thought my oldest daughter would be interested in the farm. She was watching us and we had too much going on and we weren't doing timely billing or keeping track of everything we sold. Paula brings accountability to all of us."
The Schmeichels' son, Ethan, went to South Dakota State University for three years before returning home to farm. He and his family live a half mile from the farm. Their other daughter, Susan Harder, is an art therapist at Avera Health in Sioux Falls. Besides farming and running S&S Ag Supply, Schmeichel has spent nine years serving on the National Pork Board and some years on the South Dakota Pork Producers Council. Most recently, he has spent the last 12 years as a Turner County Commissioner. His final term was up at the end of 2018. "That's been good, but I'm also a believer of you need new blood," he said. "I'm still big on doing as much as you can do, especially of things you have a passion about." Schmeichel remembers his grandfather having a cow give birth to quadruplets in the fall of 1955 and they displayed them at the Sioux Empire Farm Show in 1956. He also recalls bringing hogs to the show to sell bred hogs.
"That goes back to when the farm show was down at the Coliseum. We had bred gilt sales. We had wooden pens," he said. Schmeichel said agriculture continues to be an important economic driving factor for the Sioux Falls area. He remembers growing up they would take a load of hogs to the Sioux Falls Stockyards and then eat at the Stockyards Cafe and shop at Sioux Nation, Campbell's and other stores before heading home and stopping in Lennox for parts. While they ship hogs differently today than when he was a kid, Schmeichel said agriculture is important to the area. "If we're in Sioux Falls, we're going to stop for whatever we need or we stop in Lennox on the way home. Agriculture will support all of these communities and the Sioux Falls area. Without that, I think people would be really, really surprised," Schmeichel said.
The Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes the agriculture industry is a foundation to the economy of our region. Jason Ball, President/CEO of the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, says, "We are proud to feature the contributions of farm families, organize activities that highlight the benefits agriculture provides, and advocate for supportive agriculture policy at the federal and state levels." February 2019 The Farming Families of Minnehaha County / 21
COUNTRY NEIGHBOR
TOM GREENWAY By Amanda Radke Photos by Eye of a Storm Photography, unless noted otherwise
Mount Vernon farmer Tom Greenway loves old tractors.
hog confinement cleaning & disinfection
“I hated seeing old tractors go to the salvage yard to be used for steel overseas,” says Tom. “I started acquiring old machinery at farm sales to try and save some of the history.” Over the years, the 86-year old has amassed an impressive collection of tractors, plows and other pieces of farm equipment. He’s spent countless hours restoring this machinery until they shine like new once again. Currently, Tom has fully restored eight John Deere tractors including a 1952 All Fuel ‘A’, 1951 ‘G’, 1951 ‘MT’ with a two-bottom plow, 1952 ‘MC’ with blade, 1950 ‘M’ with sickle mower, 1946 ‘H’, 1941 ‘LA’, and a 1955 ‘40’ with a two-row cultivator. He has also restored one International Farmall Cub. Tom Greenway and his dog, Buddy
22 / The Farming Families of Minnehaha County February 2019
“Next on my list is a 1947 ‘B’ John Deere,” he says, of the many additional old tractors on the farm he has ready to be fixed up. “I also have a four-
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Above photos provided by Doug Greenway
bottom rollover plow that is pretty rare that I would like to restore.” In restoring equipment, Tom has learned the trade along the way. He’s done most of the work himself, except for one motor overhaul on the MC John Deere and the final paint jobs on each tractor. “It’s been fun watching Dad restore these old tractors and equipment over the years and his attention to detail”, says son Brad. “I’ve learned a lot from him about this machinery and this era of history. It’s pretty neat that he has become a good resource for information about two-cylinder tractors for other people, too.” Tom says his dad bought his first John Deere in 1937. He says, “Those models were so simple and easy to work with. If they didn’t run, cleaning out the gas line or changing a spark plug usually did the trick. I don’t know everything about tractors, but the two cylinders are pretty simple. I really 24 / The Farming Families of Minnehaha County February 2019
February 2019 The Farming Families of Minnehaha County / 25
Worry-free, Enjoyable Living
Tom with his sons, Brad (left) and Doug (right)
enjoy working with old iron and hope to do my part to preserve a little bit of history with each tractor.” A lifelong farmer, Tom’s passion for agriculture dates back to his childhood. A son of immigrant parents who left England after World War I to settle near family in South Dakota, Tom spent his youth helping on his family’s farm, where they raised sheep, cattle and crops. After graduating from high school, Tom was drafted to serve in the Army during the Korean War. In 1954, he returned home to the farm and officially purchased it in 1962. He married his sweetheart, Janice (Ja Neece) Miller, in 1956, and together they raised
four children — Alan, Brad, Lori, and Doug, and raised crops, dairy, hogs and cattle. “There was no question back then that I would farm,” he says. “In those days, there were so many young farmers; it didn’t cost as much then as it does now. Today, it seems like it’s next to impossible to get started considering the price of land and the operating costs. That’s why I’m looking forward to helping Brad get his son, Brent, more involved with the farm.” After 60 years of farming, Tom admits it’s hard to step back. “I can see how far the farm has come along in 60 years,” he says. “Looking back to when
26 / The Farming Families of Minnehaha County February 2019
my parents bought this place in 1931, there was no electricity and no hydraulics. In 1937 and 1938, South Dakota was hit with terrible blizzards, and all we had were scoop shovels. Today’s modern machinery makes farming easier, especially if you don’t have livestock. Now the hardest part of farming is paying for it.” Looking back on a successful career in agriculture, Tom spent many years serving as a Davison County Commissioner. Active in his community, you can often find Tom riding one of his beloved tractors in a local parade where he enjoys visiting with friends and neighbors about his machinery and the history of the old equipment.
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE
HEALING HOPE MINISTRIES, INC. In July 2012, Brandon, S.D. couple Denny and Karri Allen experienced the devastating loss of their 15-month old son Asher. At the time, he was their only child, and they were left with emptiness. “It was a very difficult year going forward. It was a very dark time for us,” shares Denny. Shortly after Asher’s death, the couple found and attended a retreat near Crosslake, Minn. called Smile Again Ministries. “Looking back, we feel that’s what impacted our grief journey the most, aside from meeting and talking with many other families who’ve experienced a similar loss,” says Karri. After a few years on their grief journey, they strongly felt God calling them to pursue opportunities in the area for families grieving the death of children. After much prayer and many discussions, Denny and Karri felt it on their hearts to bring a program like Smile Again to South Dakota. “We began praying about it and started asking various people in our lives to help us with this vision,” says Karri. One of the first couples they met with were instantly drawn to the vision and offered to help them locate and purchase the land to get started. Soon, another couple offered to connect them with legal counsel to help establish their organization, which they named Healing Hope Ministries. They founded the organization in the state of South Dakota on March 25, 2016 (Asher’s Birthday). “Having a place such as Healing Hope Ministries can give grieving moms and dads an outlet they sometimes can’t find with family and friends,” explains Karri. Inspiration to start the organization stemmed from Karri’s strong connections with other
Karri and Denny with their sons (left to right) Isaac (4 years old this month) and Elijah (5 years old) 28 / The Farming Families of Minnehaha County February 2019
Asher
moms in the area who had experienced the death of a child. Denny says, “She would have 3-hour ‘lunch dates’, and they would just share their hearts with each other. That was so comforting and healing to her. I believe this is what really opened our minds to pursuing the vision that God had been laying on our hearts.”
complete the guest house renovation as well as help furnishing it.
Karri adds, “All I wanted to do was talk to other women who had been in similar situations. I needed to know I would be okay...that I could survive, because, honestly, I didn’t think I could.”
Couples can stay at the retreat for a minimum of two nights and a maximum of four nights. Healing Hope relies on donations to operate the retreat, and their goal is to keep the cost to attend low for families walking through grief. S c h o l a r s h i p s a re available, if there is a financial need.
Denny and Karri are in the process of completing the retreat guest house on an acreage near Alcester. They hope to open it this spring. They are currently looking for goods and services to
Others can help by attending events, volunteering, and sponsoring community Walk to Remember events and praying for families while on the
One of the resort paths February 2019 The Farming Families of Minnehaha County / 29
MAK E Y O U R L A N D PA RT OF Y O U R L E G A C Y Preserv e the la nd you love a nd c reate a l ega cy to benefit your c o m m uni ty, loca l orga niza tions or f av o ri te c auses now, a nd forever with o ur Far m l a nd G iving P rogra m.
We a re pro u d to p a rtn e r w i th a re a co mmunities to s u p p ort l oc a l g i v i n g . Le ar n more a t s f a c f . o rg / f a r m l a n d Beautiful view at the retreat location
retreat. For those who share their vision, Karri suggests, “Helping us promote Healing Hope within your communities, place of employment, churches, and connecting us with families who may be walking the path of child loss are very helpful.” To advocate Healing Hope’s mission, Denny and Karri maintain an online presence and rely on word-of-mouth, p e r s o n a l re l a t i o n s h i p s , hospitals, churches, funeral homes and counselors. They also speak at churches and various local events. The Allens’ goal for Healing Hope is to help families find hope after the death of a child. “Through visiting with families and helping them feel they are in a safe environment, you can see the walls come down as they openly express their
Pre-Season OPEN HOUSE Sat, March 30th
innermost feelings of pain and hurt,” says Denny. The couple wrote a book titled The Walk about their experience. "There is no getting over this loss. It's something you think Denny and Karri with their book, The Walk about continually, but it does change, and we want people to understand there's hope for that change,” shares Denny. For news and announcement on Healing Hope’s events, watch their website (www.healinghopes.com) and Facebook page (Facebook.com/ healinghopeministriesSD). You can find the Allens’ book, The Walk on Amazon. For more information or to get involved, contact: Denny Allen 605-321-1875, denny@healinghopes.com Karri Allen 605-201-4261, karri@healinghopes.com
30 / The Farming Families of Minnehaha County February 2019
1080 RUUD TRAIL, STE. 1 • HARTFORD, SD 57033 • 605-528-3345 www.gillespieoutdoor.com
February 2019 The Farming Families of Minnehaha County / 31
SEASONS leading them to harvest. If one chain is removed from the link, the whole thing can fall apart.
LIVING IN THE WAIT: A FARMER’S DAUGHTER PART 1
Our lives are no different. Life involves constant waiting but that doesn’t mean we can’t be active in the process. There is much we can do and that’s what Living in the Wait is all about! From E+DAY to being intentional, God wants us to live in the wait. Here’s the best part, God is actively working behind the scenes too! He is designing and orchestrating our steps, but it is a process. Our wait is preparing us and as painful as it is, it’s readying our hearts and minds for whatever is next.
By Missy Vande Kieft, published May 31, 2018 (livinginthewait.com)
We can’t take that final step out of our wait, until we take the steps right in front of us.
Introduction by Farming Families publisher Mindy Gross: Just as seasons in nature change, so do the seasons in our lives. Sometimes it’s difficult to recognize the season of life we’re in, and it can be even more difficult to know how to live fully in Christ during it. The Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “For everything there is a season.” It tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:11, “[God] has made everything beautiful in its time.”
Ryan and Melissa Vande Kieft
Melissa Vande Kieft (whose parents, Dewayne and Dort Keiper, farm near Lennox) and her husband, Ryan, share their story about living in a “waiting-for-something” season and holding true to their faith by trusting in God’s timing.
Just like farming, if we are obedient, there will be a great harvest to reap. I can’t wait for that day! There is so much to learn from farming that can help us in our own lives. Throughout the series, we’ll cover picking the right seeds, planting and watching them grow. I can’t wait to share more and hope you’ll continue on this farming journey with me.
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Farming has been a part of my family for four generations. My parents currently farm over 1,000 acres of corn and soybeans. Ry and I help every so often, and when we aren’t getting semis stuck in the mud or scratching grain carts (all true stories), we sit in awe of what farmers do. They feed the world and I am so thankful for them, especially my dad, who is currently in the field planting. As I thought more about his life as a farmer, I realized the many similarities of my current wait
and what he, and other farmers experience year-round. Farming is Waiting For those not familiar with farming, here’s a quick breakdown. First and foremost, it involves constant waiting; for the ground to thaw, seeds to arrive, rain, and most importantly, crops to grow. This does not mean that farmers are idle. In fact, the opposite is true. There is always something to do. That’s because between planting (spring) and harvest
32 / The Farming Families of Minnehaha County February 2019
2401 W. Trevi Place, Ste. 201 Sioux Falls, SD 57108
(fall), much preparation is being done. They are readying themselves and the land for the season ahead. These are the things that set them up for success the rest of the year. Farming is a Process Second, farming is a process. Before farmers can harvest a crop, they have to pick their seeds, till the ground, nourish the crops, etc. They have to complete step one before moving on. They understand it’s all part of the process
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February 2019 The Farming Families of Minnehaha County / 33
FROM THE KITCHEN WALNUT CRUSH CANDY BAR Source: www.recipelink.com Coat candy bar mold with melted dark chocolate for coating* Chill 1 to 2 minutes in freezer.
WHITE NOUGAT: • 1 cup marshmallow cream (recipe below) • 1 cup melted white coating (use about 3/4 lb. of Candy Kote Wafers-white) • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
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Stir white nougat ingredients together well.
We work hard every day to ensure that your visit to our office is safe, comfortable, and fun!
Press white nougat into chilled dark chocolate shell, allowing about 1/8-inch at the top to cover with more melted dark chocolate coating. It doesn’t hurt to melt more coating than needed, because as it cools, it can easily be “chipped” and put back in the bag for the next use.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the best dental care Sioux Falls has to offer.
*Note: When working with chocolate-heat, water and odor can ruin a batch so use dry utensils and bowls and melt the coating in a plastic (not glass) container in the microwave in 15-20 second cycles, stirring between each cycle.
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Whip below ingredients at low speed:
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• 1/2 cup plus 1 Tbsp. nulomoline (liquid invert sugar)
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• 2 Tbsp. plus 3/4 tsp. dried egg whites (NOT dried meringue)
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Heat to just below boiling:
• 1/2 cup plus 1 Tbsp. nulomoline • 1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. light corn syrup Add the warmed mixture to the whipped egg white mixture and beat at medium high speed until light. This should take 5 to 10 minutes. Do not under-beat. Stir in: 1 tsp. vanilla (use white or clear vanilla so as not to discolor nougat.) Marshmallow Cream Shelf life: 2-3 weeks; 3-4 months in the refrigerator. Recipe makes 36-48 (3-inch) bars. 34 / The Farming Families of Minnehaha County February 2019
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*This plan is only honored at First Class Dental Care. This membership is NOT a dental insurance plan.
6703 S Louise Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57108 | 605.271.9330 | FirstClassDentalCare.com February 2019 The Farming Families of Minnehaha County / 35
of Minnehaha County
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36 / The Farming Families of Minnehaha County February 2019
600 EAST TAN TARA CIRCLE SIOUX FALLS, SD 57108 605.335.5740