Building resiliency

Minnesota farm sees a world of difference between two flood years after building soil health

Janelle Atyeo
Jun 3, 2025
Jun 3, 2025

Crop Watcher Feikema (16).JPG — Becky and Shawn Feikema stand by their cattle yard north of Luverne, Minn.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

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Janelle Atyeo

Ten years apart, two major rain events washed over Feikema Farms in southwestern Minnesota. But a shift in management practices meant that the fields handled the deluge much differently the second time around.

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Crop Watcher Feikema (21).JPG — Becky and Shawn Feikema farm with Shawn's brother Mike and his wife, Staci, in southwestern Minnesota. They will give updates this season as Tri-State Neighbor Crop Watchers.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

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Raised in small town South Dakota, Janelle is enjoying her time as editor of Tri-State Neighbor and Midwest Messenger while raising kids, chickens and no till vegetables in central Sioux Falls. Reach her at janelle.atyeo@lee.net.