Tri-States Grain Conditioning

farm and livestock production. We’re proud of our community and its progressive approach,” Brad said. Jacob Den Herder (Gary’s younger son) said, “Custom feeding is a way for young guys to get started in farming. It provides cash flow and builds equity.” Brad said, “Since we were very little, Grandpa always preached to us that hog buildings were cash flow and equity. When I was young, I didn’t really want to feed pigs; I just wanted to be in the tractor in the field. But he stressed to us you need to have both the livestock and the land to make a living out here. That’s really been true for all of us.” Brad is glad to stand up to any custom feeding critics. “For me, I’ll be a so-called hired man any day as long as I get the check every month. The hog barns have given us the steady monthly income and helped us build equity. That helps with the crop farming – most of our barns are spread out and the manure gets applied to our land.” “And you’re still the boss of your own units,” Gary said. Austin Van Beek farms with the Den Herder family. Brad said, “Austin and I were friends from high school. He showed a lot of interest in the farm. He started as an employee, but now he has his own hog barns, too.” Austin said, “There was no room for me at our family farm and I was fortunate enough for them to take me in under their wing here. It just worked out. Now I don’t want to be anywhere else.” Gary said, “Austin is a guy who has a passion for farming and we’re privileged to have him work with us.” Austin met his wife, Jaclyn, via Brad – their wives are cousins. Austin and Jaclyn have a two-year-old daughter named Everly. Brad and Austin started a custom corn stalk baling business in 2010 which has grown significantly in recent years. They began with one baler, but have five today. They had a record year in 2020. Brad said, “Fall is a rat-race here between grain harvest and baling. We have multiple part-time employees.” Gary said, “They’re able to get these young guys after work because baling is pretty much an evening job.” Many of the stalk bales are sold to nearby feedlots. In turn, Den Herders will purchase some of the cattle manure to spread on their cropland. Jacob’s sideline business is to haul manure with his side-dump trailer. Jacob’s manure hauling business along with Brad and Austin’s stalk baling business are good examples of the spinoff jobs which come with a strong livestock sector. “Think of all the jobs tied to livestock, from the bankers and co-ops to the construction and cement people to insurance and manufacturing,” said Brad. “Sioux County’s towns are strong compared to other areas, not because of the farm ground, but because of the livestock.”

Gary’s dad is Garold Den Herder. Garold said, “Our goal is to keep the younger generation going. The way the farming situation is today, it takes a huge amount of money. So they have to have a little backing once in a while. And they build off of that.”

Age Media Qtr Page Color 1-8-20.pdf 1 1/8/2020 11:21:34 AM Gary and Deanne Den Herder.

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Amanda and Brad Den Herder with their daughters Rylee and Daisy.

Courtney and Jacob Den Herder with Rees. Austin and Jaclyn Van Beek with their daughter Everly.

Using different varieties and advanced planting technologies, Den Heders get creative each year with designs incorporated into their fields (foreground). In the background, various shaded areas show where different varieties are planted to fit the soil type and/or drainage in those areas of the field. Brad said, “To Dad and Grandpa’s credit, they’ve never stood in the way of us making decisions. Sometimes you see the older generation doesn’t want to let go, but they led us from a young age to make our own decisions, and succeed or fail on our own.”

Jacob agreed: “The younger you learn, the better. If an 80-year-old is still writing checks and making the decisions for the operation, that’s not good – you’re going to be way behind the eight-ball. It’s a big deal to start early. We were never held back. At the same time, Grandpa is here every day and we talk over decisions with him.”

Grandpa Garold and his wife, Donna, farmed with his brother, Ron, for many years. They were primarily a row-crop operation plus had feeder cattle which they sold at around 700-800 pounds. In the early 2000s, Garold and Ron split up their land holdings. Garold said, “It all happened without trouble. It was just time to do that.” Twenty years after the family divided up the land, it’s starting to come back together as Den Herder Farms now rents the majority of the family’s land. Den Herder Farms is owned by Gary, Brad and Jacob. Gary and his wife, Deanne, live on an acreage which is part of the Den Herder century farm. Deanne is a registered nurse now doing footcare at the nursing home and hospital in Sioux Center. Brad and his wife, Amanda, live on the acreage where he and Jacob grew up which also serves as home base for the operation. Amanda, who also grew up on a farm, owns Reflections Prom & Bridal in Sioux Center. The couple has two daughters, Daisy, 4, and Rylee, who turns 2 in August. Jacob’s wife, Courtney, works at the south side Sioux Center branch of American State Bank. She’s also the coach of the Northwestern College women’s golf team. “We met at the Tulip Festival via my cousin who golfed at Northwestern just like Courtney did,” Jacob said. He and Courtney have a son, Rees, who was born in December.

Gary and Deanne also have two daughters. Tara is married to Jordan Kooiker, who farms with his family near Middleburg. Tara and Jordan have a two-year-old son named Luke. Gary and Deanne’s youngest daughter, Dana, will be a sophomore at Dordt University this fall where she has started taking some ag courses. For many years, the Den Herders spent every weekend with extended family. Garold’s