Head Shoveler / Lead Nature Liaison

Somebody said ‘meet the farmer…’ Ok well Hi!

I’m Kristin. Thats my buddy Waldo. He didn’t want to learn to fly, so he hung out with me two days first. Stubborn lil guy.

I’m from Davison / Sanborn Counties in South Dakota. Although I like to say - I’m from the Laura Ingalls Wilder part of tornado country.

I had the privilege of spending huge amounts of time with my grandparents in Letcher growing up and the majority of my life outside from the prairie to the Black Hills to the majestic Rocky Mountains.

My parents, Tom & Gabriele, were the only generation in their family’s lineage, who weren’t farmers (I personally think that was a misstep, so back we go!).

Dad’s family were mostly potato farmers from Poland who settled in Ohio originally. They left farming when dad was in his younger years & Great Grandpa Bernie moved the family south.

Mom’s paternal family was of Dutch decent & Great Grandpa Frank & Great Grandma Lakota farmed north a lil over an hour, from where I am now. They had very strong relationships with their Native neighbors (to the extent thats how violet lover Great Grandma Lakota got her name). They later went southwest, settled in Letcher when all their boys came back from 20+ year volunteer enlistments to the US Army & Navy.

Mom’s maternal side is still mostly in Bavaria, Germany & Austria. There was a time before WWI where the land stewardship surpassed 2,000 acres, & they grew everything. And, due to war times, they always practiced filtered light / regenerative / woodland-wildland growing - it’s where I learned it from.

Works great for war time & climate challenges. Because - Omi Anastasia knew - war soup only truly needs root veggies, a lil meat to throw in helps, but as long as you have onions and potatoes growing - it’ll be yummy in the pot. And if you grow her style, there will always be enough, for all around the table & I consider it an honor & responsibility, to carry her name in mine.

Thank you:

FFA

4-H ‘Stand Up & Smile’

4-H Jr Leaders

4-H Horse Club ‘Boots n Spurs’

ALL the parents & volunteers who made it possible

Everyone at Davison County Extension that ALWAYS had time for ALL my questions 2 decades ago

Davison Feed Supply for my first job measuring raw feed & carrying out for customers

Blindauer Farms for having your golden Shelton pony I taught myself to ride on with a baling twine halter when Grandpa Sarge was feeding the cattle

Deano B & the whole family for ALL you taught me and trusting me in a tractor (I cannot plant - I dance to the radio, and my rows showed it ).

ALL my teachers - Especially Mrs. Voight, the greatest kindergarten teacher of all time.

All the small buisness owners I worked for who were happy to share reasons & ideas and allowed me to learn beyond just my position.

My former GCSAR teammates - 801 Foley I needed help navigating & I am forever grateful for my teammates.

All my former civil servant co-workers who are still showing up for all our neighbors, everyday. (I miss my perky turkeys down in old Omahahome - Officer Canterbunny - you still can’t be 2nd, just cuz you’re outta the cruiser!! )

Everyone who has shared their love of outside & knowledge with me over the years.

I appreciate you & your time!

And mostly, my mother Gabriele.

It’s a Huuuuuuge leap - and risk - to allow me the opportunity to turn the land. And without my mother’s trust & support (Chief waterer / last minute - she has that, let her find it, save the day!) who BOUGHT me my FIRST seeds to start, none of this would be possible.

Field of Dreams - batter up.