Although I grew up on a farm eight miles from the nearest town, I never experienced the wonders of attending a country school.
- Lainie Kringen-Scholtz
Have you ever been around a “steer” or “gelding” that does not act their gender? Instead they act like a full grown bull or stallion?
- Colleen Stegenga
"When kids grow up around the operation, when they're included, asked questions and given small jobs as they're able, they build something that can't be manufactured later: a felt sense of belonging to the place."
- Jaclyn Wilson
"Seeing things and asking questions gives a different insight, sometimes positive and sometime negative. But the educational process is more than worth it."
- Brent Olson
This summer Number 3 and I have been fighting the Battle of the Buckthorn .
- Jim Woster
"The biggest problem we have right now is the process of cutting back on the many items, which have accumulated over half century, and a problem it is."
- Jaclyn Wilson
"I about died this last week. That may be a bit of an exaggeration, but I called the Boss Man and informed him that if I die, this is why …"
- Sheri Poore
Friends, the recipe box is getting empty! But you can help fix that problem—and be eligible to win a prize while you're at it.
- By Nash Leef, Center for Rural Affairs Policy Associate
For producers, federal conservation programs are complex compared to straightforward transactions with equipment or seed vendors. Enrolling in a three-to-five-year federal contract requires extensive data logging, compliance reporting and strict implementation guidelines.
- Jaclyn Wilson
"The broken record syndrome will be in effect as I’ll say once again, I fully believe in the policy grassroots process."
- Terry Woster
"Few experiences match sitting on the seat of a deep-throated John Deere 720 diesel and glancing back every few seconds to admire the way the freshly cut soil was sliding up the shiny plow shares and tumbling over onto the cut from the previous trip around the field."
- Michael Baron
Dear Michael: I remember when our parents were young. It seems like they always had a will in place. Later on, they went with a living trust because it was “the thing to do” at the time. When they died, things went smoothly. My brother took over the farm and the rest of us kids shared Mom an…
- Sheri Poore
Put the bounty of summer to use in the kitchen with these recipes from our latest Fork on the Prairie Road column. Enjoy!
- Jaclyn Wilson
"I found things that brought me joy. I looked at a bigger picture more than ever before. I took the time for others. I disconnected more. Most importantly, I lived."
- Lainie Kringen-Scholtz
Is your dog terrified by fireworks? Our vet has some tips for how to help them through summer celebrations, thunderstorms and other events that might scare them.
- Colleen Stegenga
The farm bill passed by the House includes a study of mental health services available to farmers, ranchers and agricultural professionals. Our mental health columnist explains what that means in practical terms.
- Jim Woster
I have never given much thought to the age of this country, and to be honest, I still don’t. Keeping track of my age keeps me busy enough. However, with all that has gone on, including the 250th birthday parties across the country, including in South Dakota, the “how old” conversation has be…
- Lainie Kringen-Scholtz
Livestock and horses are both prone to overheating. Here are some things to think about.
- Michael Baron
Dear Michael: We have read your columns over the past few weeks regarding the use of a life estate as an estate planning tool. We have a lot of questions regarding the life estate. Could you answer some of these questions? – A Variety of Readers
- Jaclyn Wilson
"I can probably guarantee I was the only attendee at the event that was also trying to bid on some online embryos at the same time."
- Jim Woster
"Feeder pig day was long, dusty and hard work, which fit in perfectly for the guys who made up the hog division. Long, dusty and hard were major components of their entire week."
- Brent Olson
"Loss is a constant for most of us. Misplacing eye glasses is the least of it. I'm losing friends and relatives on an increasing basis."
- Colleen Stegenga
Nobody puts it in the vows. There is no line that says “I promise to love you through harvest season, through the years the rain does not come ...” But for farm couples across rural America, that is exactly what the vows mean.
Weeknight meal planning got you stumped? We've got you covered on recipes - dessert, too!
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