AG WEEK: GOALS, DREAMS, LEGACIES

    When you travel east of Eden, down what they call the ‘Buffalo Lake’ road, if you are not paying attention, you might just miss the Kendal and Alison Deutsch farm. At the end of a twisty gravel road sits the all-American farmyard, a cute little white house, with a big red barn. As I pulled into the drive, I saw two little eyes and a forehead peeking through the screen door. I waved, but all that was returned was a smile. Alison met me at the door with a little one on her hip, and a kind ‘Hello.’ Around the corner came the two little eyes and forehead from before, Hudson was his name, and he really wanted to show me what he made with his building blocks today! After he showed me his room, and his blocks, we sat down at the table for a visit. I had seen a puppy outside, so I asked Hudson what his name was. He replied, “It’s Willy Wilson!” He and I became fast friends!
    Kendal Deutsch, the grandson of Florenz and JoAnn Deutsch, has several memories of visiting his grandparents at the farm he now owns. Growing up in Aberdeen, his dad would bring him and his brothers to help on the farm nearly every weekend. “My Grandpa Florenz was really the one who gave me the love for cattle,” Kendal states. “Helping with chores, and working cattle was something I always looked forward to.” Kendal recalls learning how to drive his grandpa’s pickup and feeding range cubes to the cattle herd.
    After graduating from high school in 2013 and then from college as an electrician in 2015, Kendal knew he wanted to live and work the farm where his Grandparents had lived. Kendal, being the fourth generation of Deutsches to work the land, bought the farm in 2015, and set out to grow his cattle herd.
    He met the love of his life, who also has a love for the farm, while in high school. Alison, has the kindest heart, and her support towards Kendal’s dream is unwavering. One of the biggest things I noticed during our visit was how proud Alison is of Kendal. You can easily see that she supports him and has the same goals in mind. Alison, a 2013 graduate of Leola High School, grew up on a farm, milking cows and being a very active member of 4H. The two married in 2017, and now have two children, Hudson who is three, and Emerson who just turned one.
    Hard work is something these two both thrive on. Kendal works four days a week as an electrician in Sisseton, and Alison is a middle school teacher for the Sisseton School District. Kendal said, ‘My boss is really good about giving me time off for calving, and Alison has all summer off which really helps during haying season.’
    As a rancher’s wife, I know just how hard calving, and all the busy seasons can be, and I’m blown away at this couple’s drive for chasing their goals and dreams. Working all day, and then coming home to
chores at night, is not for the weak. Plus having two littles in tow! When asked about goals, and looking to the future, Kendal says “Just to keep growing the herd, we want Hudson to someday be the fifth generation out here.”
    The American dream of farming and ranching lives strong here in the northeast part of our beautiful state. Whether it’s growing the herd, or passing down the land, one goal remains a constant. Never give up. You may need to pivot with the ever-growing changes, but a farmer, a rancher, and their families are the true heart of agriculture.