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THE EISENBEIS FAMILY

Hutchinson County, September 2022

André and Lillie Eisenbeis operate Prairie Roots Produce, a market garden producer of vegetables located near Freeman. Now in its 5th season, Prairie Roots has gained a good following not only in the Freeman area, but also in Yankton and Sioux Falls. André and Lillie grew up on local farms about 7 miles apart and started dating as students at Freeman Academy. They went to different colleges, but shared an interest in market garden production and the lifestyle component of a small farm.

Prairie Roots Produce sells product through 2 farmers markets and a CSA (community supported agriculture) wherein individuals buy a share of a farm’s production before each growing season. Then CSA customers receive a box of assorted produce delivered to their door 18 times over 20 weeks in the summer.

Market gardening has a low-cost-of-entry, but it’s physically demanding and not necessarily an easy business to sustain. At the farmers markets, Lillie said they enjoy the customer interaction and the educational aspect – even if that’s explaining why watermelons aren’t ready in June.

Lillie, Jesse and André Eisenbeis.

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SOUTH DAKOTA FAMILIES - 2022

MARK KASTEN

Turner County, September 2022

Mark Kasten is in his 13th year as a State Farm agent in Parker and Freeman. He coached his sons in youth sports and has been active in community organizations such as the Parker Volunteer Fire Department. St. Christina’s Catholic Church is also a focus point for him and his wife, Kathy, who is an accounting specialist with Electric Supply Company of Sioux Falls.

Mark graduated from Parker High School and SDSU. “Growing up in Parker, I was blessed to have both sets of grandparents close by. I can still vividly remember the ‘ting’ that Grandpa Woody’s 1968 Ford F100 would make when you slammed the door. Every time I smell fried potatoes it brings me back to being in Grandma Garry’s kitchen,” he said.

“Advice that I would give to a young person is to pursue your passion. Whether it’s playing the guitar, farming, cars, whatever it might be, pursue your passion and you won’t work a day in your life!”

Mark and Kathy Kasten with sons, Ethan, Shane and Alex; and Shane’s wife, Abigail.

DAVE & GAIL STRASSER

Lincoln County, October 2022

Dave and Gail Strasser operate “The Harvest,” growing sweet corn, vegetables and pumpkins on the north edge of Lennox. “We started with our boys selling sweet corn out of the back of the pickup at the end of the driveway. That was when they were in grade school 30-some years ago. Over time, people started asking us if we grew tomatoes and cucumbers, so we decided we could do that, too,” said Gail.

Dave worked 44 years for Sioux International and Gail worked as teacher in Sioux Falls for 24 years. In 2007, she retired early to stay home and babysit their grandchildren. At the same time, “We also started to work this business up and have it blossom more,” she said. “We grew up on farms in Turner County and we both were in 4-H and had big gardens growing up. We both like to grow things. We’re just 2 old people having fun.” Dave said they pride themselves on their sweet corn and growing 50 varieties of pumpkins and gourds.