DeKam Construction

The former chicken house on the farm was refurbished as an art studio for Jamie. They’ve also used it for parties.

Cruz, Vincent, Bella and Dolce. the flexibility of this career choice because it’s designed “to supplement my life, not to take over.” Previously, Jamie was a metal artist for a half dozen years. Clad in a char coat and welding goggles, she wielded a plasma cutter in her studio called the “J Coop” (the old chicken coop on their farm). She would sell her artwork at various shows as well as at their own farm. Occasionally, they hosted art events at the farm.

When Jamie is selling houses or cutting metal, Mike grows a mix of alfalfa, corn and soybeans. For five years, he tried his hand at operating a feedlot, but decided that was not for him. Instead he focuses on cow-calf pairs and feeds out the calves. The cattle are Simmental, Angus, or Sim-Angus. Half or more of the corn crop is fed to the cattle, while soybeans are his cash crop. His parents, James and Janice Willard, farm about three miles away. His dad is 81, but still actively farms. Mike exchanges his labor for the use of equipment owned by his father and uncle. Right now, buying out his dad seems insurmountable, but he hopes they can figure out a way. The Willard farm was homesteaded in 1878 by Mike’s great-great grandfather. James got Mike started in the cattle business and showing cattle when he was about 10 years old. Dad bought him a steer and a heifer at Presho Livestock Auction. The cattle proved to be a little rambunctious and Mike didn’t enjoy the experience until he got “a big fat check” selling the steer at the stockyards. The next year at the Sioux Empire Farm Show, they bought an animal that was already being shown and broke to lead. By year three, he enjoyed showing cattle and the experience of camping at the Sioux Empire and State Fairs. Mike went on to join the livestock judging team at SDSU, which finished second in the nation in 1996 under their coach, Dr. Kelly Bruns. The team decided to call themselves “reserve national champions.”

DRAIN TILE DESIGN, PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND INSTALLATION RURAL WATER & DIRT WORK TREE REMOVAL

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED SINCE 1973