This summer the local grocery store played a cruel joke on me. It remodeled and switched around its layout. Just when I had the locations of all my regular items memorized too. On a Saturday afternoon I commiserated with an older man who was looking for jell-o. His wife, who needed to make a quick […]

For a long time there has been a stereo-type/myth/semi-fact that most newspaper editors have a bottle of hard liquor stored in their bottom desk drawer. Professional journalism is not an easy gig and there are days when you can imagine how a bottle of whiskey may be soothing. It’s an unyielding job that requires a […]

Some schools in the region have been in session for a month now. It has been interesting to hear the feedback about the new school cafeteria guidelines that went into effect this year. The United States Department of Agriculture oversees the National School Lunch Program. The objective of the program is to, “To provide a […]

In agriculture there is rarely idle time and so, while Labor Day is often thought of as a day dedicated to those involved in labor union type jobs, I am lifting up farmers and ranchers as my honorees this year. What qualifies them you ask? Let me tell you . . . • They often […]

The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. That thought has been running through my mind all week. The Olympics, coupled with our area’s need of rain, is a reminder that we are not the ones in control. That someone else is pushing the gas even though you might be the one driving sort of […]

It’s not the fireworks, the pomp and circumstance of the parade; the yells at the rodeo or the band on the grand stand stage. It’s about an expression of faith in a country that has had its share of black eyes, humbling moments, and absolute greatness. It is a day of remembrance  – for the […]

What you find on country back roads can be surprising and inspiring. A rattle snake coiled and sunning itself mid-road – surprising! A calf racing your car only to bust into a fit of playful bucks – inspiring.

Simple steps to add value to your cattle promotions By Codi Vallery-Mills The spring bull sale season is almost over and producers should begin to analyze the effectiveness of their sale’s marketing and promotion plans, if they haven’t already. Rachel Cutrer is president of Ranch House Design, Inc. in Wharton, Texas. Formed in 1999, Ranch […]

The South Dakota Agriculture and Rural Leadership class that I am a part of returned from China a few weeks ago. We spent time in the foreign country to learn about its agriculture industry and its culture. The experience was amazing and all 32 of us gained a greater understanding of the global economy and […]