Staying in home longer with Home Care

For more than 60 years Maybell Rentschler has lived in her farmhouse along Highway 25 heading toward DeSmet. Since 1942, Mary Remacle has enjoyed her home in Howard on Highway 34.
For both seniors, that longer home stay has been made possible through the Madison Home Care Services.
“I don’t want to leave here,” said Rentschler, 80, who resides in a wheelchair and has ramps going into her home that allows her to get in and out with ease. “Home Care helps me stay in the home longer.”
Remacle, who turns 98 on Sept. 1, agrees. “I appreciate some silence,” she said. “I don’t want to go where there is activity all day.” Remacle would rather spend time playing cards with those who stop by each week to visit her.
The Madison Home Care Services started in 1996. Organizers saw a growing need for those who could stay at home but would need some oversight to keep them from going back into the hospital and also staying in their homes and communities longer.
“Home Care is a link between client and physician,” said Lynn Landeen, who coordinates the program in Madison. “Going into a home you can see the whole spectrum of how they are managing meals, personal care and things you might not see at a clinic or hospital appointment. It gives you a broader picture of what is going on with the patient.”
Dotta-Jo Walker is one of the registered nurses that visit clients on a regular basis. She stopped in to check on both Rentschler and Remacle in mid-June. Along with providing necessary temperature checks, blood pressure checks and listening to the heart and lungs, Walker also asks questions to find out what is been happening with each’s life since the last time she stopped by. Walker visits Rentschler every other month and Remacle every two weeks.
Remacle related to Walker her experiences for the morning. “Things weren’t going the way I was hoping,” she tells Walker. But just having Walker stop by helped ease some of the worry for Remacle.
“I think people capable of taking care of themselves are better off in their own homes,” Remacle states. “I just like it here.”
Since 1996, Landeen has seen increased consumer awareness for the different options available for Home Care. “Families are looking at how they can keep their parents in homes as long as possible, but still have piece of mind knowing that they are being taken care of,” she said.
Madison Home Care Services has three RNs and three aides that travel in a 30-mile radius around Madison. Since Landeen has been in charge for the past seven years, she has seen continued influx of people being aware of home services.
“The numbers are growing because of the knowledge.”
In 2009, there were 3,425 home visits by registered nurses and aides. So far in 2010, there have been 3,217 home visits logging 30,681 miles on the road. Last year, RNs and aides traveled to Miner, McCook, Kingsbury, Lake, Minnehaha and Brookings counties.
Madison Home Care Services has six different objectives:
• provide continuing care from hospital to home
• shorten hospital stays or prevent re-hospitalization
• expedite recovery and return to regular activities of daily living
• reduce the cost of illness
• collaborate with other community agencies to facilitate providing care in the home
• assist with maintaining the home environment.
The Madison services also provide skilled nursing including IV therapy and hydration, wound care and dressing changes, post operative care, health education and medication compliance and education, as well as physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, health maintenance and homemaker services. Many of the clients also use meals on wheels or adult daycare one to five times a week.
Clients pay for services either by Medicare or through private contracts.
A typical senior citizen using the program is declining in health or maybe a family member is spending more time advocating for them, said Landeen. “There are more doctor visits because health is declining rapidly or they’re not taking medications properly,” she said. “By more controlled management with collaboration of healthcare providers and family members, it saves the payer source and utilizes less healthcare dollars.”
The Home Care program is also an extension of the community services that are provided. “It is a vital service to the local area and being a hub to the appropriate levels of healthcare,” Landeen said. “We work with physicians and other levels of community health services to enable a better quality of life in their usual home setting. It is also a piece of mind for family members.”
There are two major challenges. One is finding the right balance of hours that the patient needs. “We want to keep consistent staff because they become an extension of the family,” Landeen said. “They are usually flexible and we are flexible.”
The other challenge is recouping costs for travel time to make it a feasible program.
Landeen said the program will continue to grow because the State of South Dakota is focusing on using Medicaid dollars to keep people in their homes longer than in assisted living or nursing homes.
“People want to be in their homes as long as they can,” she said. “With the national and state focus in growing home and community-based services, it will only continue to grow. We need to change and grow with it.”

Seniors in Rural Communities – Return on Investment

Information provided by the Rural Learning Center in Howard

Most rural communities are involved in economic development at some level. Many are trying to recruit businesses to their town, others are working to create new jobs, and all are trying to keep what they already have.
Sometimes opportunity is sitting right in front of you. That was the case during Miner County’s effort to create a strategic plan for itself – some of its greatest resources were sitting right there in the same room. The plan was a direct result of input from individuals from across the county from a wide range of backgrounds and economic circumstances. Input was sought from a wide range of age groups and that was an important key determinant because the senior citizens in attendance turned the spotlight on an important economic segment of rural communities – its seniors.
“I’d like to stay here in Miner County – it’s my home. My friends are here, my church, I’m comfortable. I think I still have things to do and ideas to share, but I worry about when I can’t anymore. What will happen to my house? Where will I go? I wish we had housing options besides skilled nursing home care,” said a senior committee member during a public engagement event. With that senior housing amenities and the system of life cycle housing became one of the primary strategies for Miner County’s economic growth.
“We’ve always recognized the importance of our seniors in terms of all that they’ve contributed to our community. They are the backbone of our social capital here. They set the bar very high in terms of being good community members. We always hated to see them leave for another community during their later years. What we had missed was the critical part our seniors played in our local economic development,” said Kathy Callies, member of the strategic planning committee.
All counties obtain their income from the same five sources – farm proprietors, nonfarm proprietors, wage & salary disbursements, dividends/interest/rent and personal transfer receipts. All are important to the overall economy. Dividends/interest/rent and personal transfer receipts are predominantly paid to our senior citizens. If they leave your community their income goes with them. This impact is felt in your churches, your civic organizations, your health care systems, your main street enterprises.
“In Miner County we determined the economic impact of our seniors to be staggering. In fact, losing one senior was equivalent to the loss of a job in our community; losing five seniors was like losing a small business. We started taking a long and careful look at what was needed. We also started listening really hard to what they were trying to tell us,” said Randy Parry, Rural Learning Center.
What resulted was the development of senior housing amenities including a corporation that built and manages independent life cycle housing. Individual investors stepped forward eager to invest in their local community and to help insure that housing options were available. When a firm built assisted living based on the demographic data for Miner County they missed the importance of connecting to the community. “It was not enough to post an ad in the local paper. Assisted living was a new idea in our community. People wanted help with selling their home to a younger family and all the things that go along with that decision. We created Miner County Development Corporation to own and manage the facility and shortly the business started growing. Today a local family partnership owns and manages the facility. It’s a great place and a real asset to our community,” said Callies.

State provides options for seniors

Information provided by Emily Currey, South Dakota Department of Social Services

The State of South Dakota, through its South Dakota Department of Social Services, provides programs that allow South Dakota senior citizens to continue to live independent lives while maintaining family and community ties.
The Division of Adult Services and Aging (ASA) provides services for adults age 60 and over and to adults age 18 and over with physical disabilities who are determined eligible for the various programs. Specialists evaluate each persons needs and respond to inquiries or requests for services.
Different programs include:
Adult Protective Services provides assistance to individuals residing in the community who are at risk of abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self neglect.
Caregiver Program provides assistance to caregivers who assist individuals with the tasks of daily living. ASA specialists can provide current information on opportunities and services available in your community and direct you to the appropriate resources.
In-Home Services makes it possible for older adults to live in their homes or return to their homes by providing assistance with tasks they are unable to manage on their own. Services may include: assistance with bathing, laundry, housekeeping, nursing services, emergency response services, assistive devices, medical supplies, and nutrition.
Ombudsman Program was established to advocate for and protect the rights or residents in nursing and assisted living facilities. ASA specialists serve as advocates for facility residents and investigate and work towards the resolution of their complaints. All reports and inquiries are confidential.
Senior Companion Program provides companionship and in-home assistance to older adults and those with disabilities. Services are provided, regardless of income.
For more information, please contact the Department of Social Services at 605-773-3656 or toll free 1-866-854-5465 or visit the department’s web site at http://dss.sd.gov/elderlyservices/index.asp.

What's next for Bethel Lutheran Home?

For nearly 50 years Bethel Lutheran Home has been providing a variety of services for those living in the Madison area. Now, the nursing facility is looking toward the future.
“No one has ever measured the economic impact of the elderly,” Administrator Jim Iverson said. “It has to be staggering.”
What is known is that Bethel Lutheran Home has been able to offer seniors choices over the years.
When Bethel first opened it was a retirement facility and is now one of 108 skilled nursing homes in South Dakota. In the 1970s it changed to skilled nursing with 24-hour nurses on staff.
Then in 1990, independent living apartments opened and then seven years later, assisted living became available. Also that year, an adult day program started.
There are 14 elderly adults in a program that has room for 20. The program provides meals, bathing, transportation and medications.
Then in 2000, an intergenerational daycare was launched. In 2008, the first twin home was constructed for independent living. Then in 2009, a child care facility was built.
Now in 2010, the Bethel Home Foundation is looking to use 8 ½ acres for more additions.
A recent study states that through 2025 there will be an additional 900 more seniors in Lake County. Now there are 100 seniors in the Bethel Home programs.
“The question is how we are going to meet the needs of folks without raising fees?” Iverson said.
The board is looking at building more independent apartments with garages, Iverson said. The house would not be as expensive or as large as the twin homes. “We also need to expand assisted living,” he said.
What has helped Bethel Lutheran Home over the years has been the medical presence in the area that includes pharmacies, clinics and the local hospital and the fact that Bethel Lutheran Home is locally owned and operated and is governed by a 19-member board of directors. Bethel is also unique in that it is one of two facilities that offer all private rooms.
The two things that have impacted seniors over the years has been eating right and taking the correct medications.
Another challenge in the future is access to transportation. “It is getting to be an issue.”
In addition, Iverson sees telemedicine as being a big issue in the next 20 years. “It will allow more options and more choices for seniors.”

Program provides meals for seniors

Since 1973, those over the age of 60 have been able to eat a nutritional meal at more than 30 locations in a 10-county area that includes those covered by the Rural Ventures publication.
The 60s Plus Dining program is a noon luncheon program for people ages 60 and over.
Sandy Vostad, who is the Site Manager for the 60s Plus Dining program, said the program’s main objective is to help senior adults remain healthy and independent through good nutrition.
“If we did not have this service there would be many seniors who would not have at least one nutritious meal a day,” she said. “Some would just snack on junk food.”
It is estimated that more than 850 people participate in the program.
“60’s Plus Dining provides balanced meals to help maintain a healthy body.” Vostad said. “People who are well nourished have more energy and fewer illnesses than those who are not.”
In addition, participants are able to socialize with friends and meet new people.
There are no age restrictions and no lengthy forms to complete. Reservations can be made by calling the nearest dining site listed in the local newspaper, or by calling the Inter-Lakes Community Action Partnership office in your area.
While there is no set charge for the meals, everyone is encouraged to contribute toward the cost of the meal, according to Vostad. “These contributions, combined with limited state and federal funding, enables the program to meet expenses,” she said. “Contributions are appreciated and remain confidential. EBT (food stamp) cards are gladly accepted.”
Vostad said in addition to our congregate dining sites, in many communities dedicated volunteers deliver meals to home-bound participants who are unable to come to the dining site. There is no charge for this special service. Carry out meals are also available.

Anderson: Mainstay at Madison golf course

Gordon (everybody calls him Gordy) Anderson may be as well known as the Madison Golf and Country Club itself. He has been part of the landscape since 1964.
Anderson will tell you that the reason he stuck around Madison for 46 years is because of the people. “These people have been great to me: their friendliness and their willingness to support you through good times and bad times.”
He graduated from Yankton High School in 1969. Anderson, now 69, was a high school golfer and went to state each year for four years. His best finish was a top five performance.
Then it was on to Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, for a few classes. But college wasn’t for him. It was on the golf course where he felt most comfortable.
His father, Jack, was on the golf course whenever he had the time. Jack worked in the coal mines in Scotland during the day and golfed at night. In fact, all four of his brothers also played golf. Anderson had his clubs before he was born.
His first job was at the Rochester, Minn. Country Club. Anderson lasted six months before taking over the job at the Madison Golf and Country Club. For 38 years, he owned the pro shop. In 2002, he sold the pro shop and worked independently providing lessons, club repair and helping with junior golf.
Over the 46 years, Anderson helped rebuild the course to 18 holes, was part of a successful junior golf program and increased exposure to ladies golf programs over the past 10-15 years.
“The driving range was an excellent addition to the course,” he said. “Giving lessons before we had the driving range was a challenge because we had to use the number 9 hole. We could only do it in the morning when no one was out there.”
When Anderson came to Madison, the golf course was listed as one of the best 9-hole courses in South Dakota. It got even better by adding a driving range and nine more holes.
Anderson knows first-hand what the course is like because he was able to get on the golf course and others around the nation; maybe not as much as he would have liked.
“You can sneak away for a one or two-day event, but that is about it,” he said.
Anderson’s golfing strength was his short game. He states that the short game is the most important aspect of golfing. However, Anderson sees golfers going out and hitting drivers, but never sees anybody practicing on the practice greens to any extent.
“From 50 to 100 yards into the green, you waste more shots than any part of the game,” he said. “When you are working you don’t have a lot of time to play the game, but you do have time in the evening to do some putting and chipping around the green.
“I really believe the short game should be practiced 2-1 to the long game,” he continued. “Most people do just the opposite or do just the long game. The world’s best players are good putters.”
The challenge of any golfer is trying to better yourself and to get that score down. Anderson’s best score at Madison is a 66. Par is 71. One time he had a 29 on the front nine.
In addition he has had five holes in ones: two in Madison and one each in Arizona, Minnesota and Florida. He also has had a double eagle in Madison and in Minnesota.
“To me the double eagles are way more satisfying than a hole in one,” he said.
To be a good golfer, Anderson feels it takes patience and a good attitude. “One of the biggest detriments is perfectionism,” he said. “If you are a perfectionist, you aren’t going to play golf very well.”
Over the years the number of golf courses has increased; meaning the competition for golfers has increased. When Anderson arrived on the scene, the only golf course close to Madison was the Howard Country Club. Now, there are golf courses in Salem, Colman, Dell Rapids, DeSmet, Hartford, Lakes Golf Course and Arlington.
Part of the reason for the success has been the junior golf program that golf clubs like Madison have. “Just getting kids out there is very beneficial for the game and for the golf clubs,” Anderson said. “If they start young they are generally going to play well.”
What also keeps people golfing is the challenge of trying to improve. “Golf is a difficult game that you never master,” Anderson said. “One of the interesting things about golf that no one ever tells you or teaches you is that golf is probably the most difficult sport for one reason. It is the only sport that you deal with a stationary ball. The other sports are reactionary sports.”

Golfing Variety in Area

One thing is sure for those who take an interest in golfing; the area golf courses provide a different type of experience. The Madison Golf and Country Club offers 18 holes. Then there are the different 9 hole golf courses right down the road: Lakes Golf Course near Lake Madison, Howard Golf Course and Kingsbury County Golf Course just outside of DeSmet.
Madison Golf and Country Club
The 18-hole, 71 par golf course is located west of Prairie Village on Highway 34. Lake Herman can be seen to the south. A creek runs throughout the course and over the years ponds have been installed impacting holes 9, 12, 17 and 18.
“It can be difficult at times,” said Bill Stromberg, who is the current golf manager. “It is not a long course. You don’t have to have a long ball. You just need to be accurate and keep it in the middle.”
Stromberg said the greens are smaller and just a bit different than on other golf courses.
The toughest part of the course is that there are five par 3s. Normal golf courses have just two par 3s per nine holes. The longest hole – 17 – is a 502 yard, par 5.
Lakes Golf Course
Near Lake Madison is the Lakes Golf Course, a 9-hole, par 36 course woven in between houses and a lake.
There is a water feature on nearly every hole, quite a few trees and rolling hills. The longest hole is the first hole at 533 yards with a par 5. The last hole is also a par 5 and there are two par 3s on the course.
“What makes this golf course different and unique is the beauty of the lake and surrounding environment,” said Callie Wockenfuss, golf course manager. “There is wildlife around. The greens are fast and there are gorgeous homes scattered throughout. It all adds to the uniqueness and beauty of the course.”
There are multiple services at Lakes Golf Course including a driving range, putting green, motel, campgrounds and 30 club cars.
Howard Golf Course
Heading west on Highway 34 a golfer can play on the Howard Golf Course, a 9-hole, par 33 course in northeast Howard.
A creek runs through holes 3, 7, 8 and 9. The lone par 5 is hole number 5. Recently, a tee box was added on the number three hole making the 4-par hole 50 yards longer.
“It is not a hard course by any means,” said Dave Hodges, club house manager. “The course is in great shape. The fairways are in great shape.”
Hodges said the Howard Golf Course is a nice little 9 hole course. “It is not hard to get onto. You never need a tee time,” he said.
Kingsbury County Country Club
The final stop is just west of DeSmet on Highway 14 where the 9-hole, 36-par Kingsbury County Country Club is located.
The golf course has only two sand traps and no water hazards. The golf course was designed and constructed by those who live in the area.
“The neat thing about it is that it is a community gathering place,” said Marilyn Skyberg, a member and a regular golfer on the course. “Here we have an honor system where golfers throw money in the box and go and play.”
The longest hole is 522 yards. A 10-year plan for improvements includes adding grass bunkers, trees and tee boxes.
Skyberg said golfing is all about camaraderie and you see that at all levels of golf. “That is part of the beauty of golf,” she said. “With a handicap all golfers can play together. It is a relaxed atmosphere and everybody feels comfortable out there.”

Sleeping Outside in a State Park

This area is filled with numerous state parks where a family can sleep in a cabin, park a camper or pitch a tent. Those same state parks offer a variety of different activities to do whether it is boating, fishing, swimming or roasting marshmallows at a campfire.
Near Madison there are two state areas where campers can have some enjoyment.
The diversity of Lake Herman State Park west of Madison makes that a popular destination. There is lake access, trails that lead through grass prairie, wetlands and historic sites, bird watching, canoe and kayak rentals, disc golf and a swimming beach. There is also a restored 1871 cabin and cemetery. The cabin is a designated National Historic structure. There are family-oriented nature programs each weekend during the summer.
There are 72 camping sites; 69 have electrical pedestals and three are tent sites with no electricity.
Park Manager Vicki Seger said what makes Lake Herman State Park a spot for campers it is close to Madison and other attractions, as well as being a beautiful place to enjoy.
On the east side of Madison is Walker’s Point Recreation Area. It is located on Lake Madison, has canoe rentals and is also near Madison attractions.
There are 42 electrical campsites and one tent site.
Seger said Walker’s Point Recreation Area is a place for mostly water sports, but the staff also provides family-oriented nature programs every weekend.
“It is close to Madison and other area attractions with easy lake access,” she said.
Lake Vermillion Recreation Area
Straight south of Montrose is the Lake Vermillion Recreation Area.
Here, campers can be involved in fishing, boating, swimming and observing nature. The recreation area is near Palisades State Park, Big Sioux Recreation Area, Beaver Creek Nature Area, and the Outdoor Campus in Sioux Falls.
There are 66 campsites, with 62 having electrical hook ups. There are also five camping cabins. There is a 400-foot swimming beach and 200-foot water ski beach. In addition, those in the recreation area can observe 175 different species of birds and wildflowers.
Lake Vermillion is the largest watershed within 30 miles of Sioux Falls.
“In the time I have been here, the park has grown in popularity and in size,” said Derek Dorr, who is entering his 10th summer as park manager. “The lake has a large variety of fish and provides the ability for water sports during the summer months. The Rec Area is made up of two campgrounds, providing a wonderful view from both sides of the lake.”
Dorr said the reason people like to camp at the spot is because Lake Vermillion is close enough to Sioux Falls to make a day trip, but far enough away to escape everyday life. “It is quiet, clean and well-maintained,” he said.
According to Dorr, the 512-acre lake was created in 1958 by impounding waters from the east fork of the Vermillion River. At the time, it was the largest project that the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks had ever undertaken.
“The lake features clear waters and abundant fish, and is a popular fishing destination for anglers year around,” Dorr said. “The size and shape of the river also make it a popular attraction for skiers and jet skiers alike.”
Lake Thompson Recreation Area
South of Lake Preston is the Lake Thompson Recreation Area. The park consists of 300 acres and the area has been documented and written about by Laura Ingalls Wilder in several of her books, according to Park Manager John Christensen.
There are 97 electrical sites and six without electricity, as well as four camping cabins and a five-bedroom group lodge. The main attraction is fishing, but there are other activities including hiking, biking and park programs. The lake has risen approximately three feet this Spring because of the average snowfall and timely Fall and Spring rains. The lake is registered as a Natural Landmark by the National Park Service due to its rising and receding waters in the past, present and future, according to Christensen.
Lake Thompson is also one of the largest natural lakes in South Dakota.
Christensen said people camp at Lake Thompson Recreation Area because of the proximity to Lake Thompson. In addition, campers like the family-based atmosphere and the short drive to Laura Ingalls Wilder activities and facilities in DeSmet.
“People like to get away from the normal hustle and bustle of everyday life and camping seems to be a great cure and break for all involved,” Christensen said.

Farming Still Important to Region

I know that some of you were hoping to read about camping spots and the best places to golf in the area this month, but we decided that agriculture is so important that it should have an issue all unto itself.
And that is what we did this month. In June, Rural Ventures will include articles and information on good camping sites and the best places to golf.
This whole issue revolves around telling stories about how farmers and producers are dealing with the challenges that are happening out in the rural areas where people make their living raising livestock or growing crops.
After doing interviews for the main story this month, I realized the difficulties producers had to go through in battling weather elements or fluctuating crop and livestock prices or even the evolution of technology. Technology almost drives the farm machinery while the farmer has a cup of coffee and makes sure that everything is going well.
That is a far cry from when many of us were growing up on the farm and had to sit on a tractor without a cab with the sun beating down on you or walk rows of soybeans to pull those crafty weeds. Now there are air conditioned cabs and types of weed control that makes it much easier.
And we actually have what I call technology farm gurus in the area. For instance, Tom Brace at Lake County International spends long days out in the country working with producers to help them develop their technological skills. It is not unusual for him during the farming season to be on the road from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
It was also kind of interesting to find that most people associated with agriculture are excited about what the future holds. Experts are finding that younger producers are interested in coming back onto the farm and are doing what they can to help make that dream possible.
In fact, some like the Callies family in Miner County have followed the footsteps of their father and grandfather, Eugene Callies, to become part of the farming atmosphere. His three sons and three grandchildren are all working on the land and learning from each other how to be successful.
Like any business farmers and producers have to deal with the challenges, as well as find ways to keep up with the changes in order to succeed. And my guess is that many of these people would not want it any other way. They love the land and what it has to offer.

Technology enhances producers capabilities

CAPTION: Tom Brace shows Tim Bird of Madison how a lightbar could be hooked up to shut off row sections of a planter during a visit to Lake County International.

In the more than 46 years that Tom Brace has been working at Lake County International in Madison, he has seen various changes in agriculture; maybe none as important as adding technology to help the producers.
“Today’s technology is helping farm producers make their operations more profitable, Brace said. “With the input costs going up, they may need to make changes in their operation to improve the bottom line.”
Just recently, Brace was showing Tim Bird of Madison how a lightbar could be hooked up to shut off row sections of a planter during a visit to Lake County International.
Bird said the technology saves seed in the long run by not double planting on rows. “It shuts off when it is supposed to,” he said.
It seems to be the way technology is going, said Bird, who does custom work in the area. “It saves our customer the seed,” he said. “It is supposed to be saving money.”
According to Wikipedia, precision farming uses new technologies, such as global positioning (GPS), sensors, satellites or aerial images and information management tools (GIS) to assess and understand variations. The collected information can be used to more precisely evaluate optimum sowing density, estimate fertilizers and other input needs, as well as more accurately predict crop yields.
And that new technology is what Brace has been working with to help farmers and producers save on expenses and improve profit.
When Brace started in Madison, he was a service technician and then became the service manger from 1967 to 2006. Now, he is selling and servicing precision farming equipment and is the company’s Precision Farming Specialist.
“I got into the Precision Farming after leaving the service manager position and into outside sales for the parts and service departments,” Brace said. “About that time, the auto guidance started getting very popular and I got started selling and installing auto steer systems. I like working with the technology and making a tractor steer itself across the field.”
Lake County International sells auto guidance equipment that includes lightbars, auto steer kits and sprayer boom controls, as well as row shutoff clutches for planters to save seed at planting time and increase harvest yields due to not over planting.
The lightbar guides the machinery through the field in a straight line and prevents overlap which saves fuel and wear on the equipment, Brace said. “Auto steering makes farming more efficient than just the lightbar,” he said. “We have gone from tractors without cabs to tractors today that have cabs, air conditioning, auto steer and cruise control in the 46 years that I have been working with Lake County International.”
And that is not the end of technology, according to Brace. “I think the technology will keep improving and we will see remote control tractors and combines in the future,” he said. “We have to keep up with the technology by continuously attending training sessions two or three times a year.”

Family sticking together on farm

A farming family that started more than 70 years ago continues to thrive in Miner County.
“To make a large family farm work you have to be creative and seize the opportunity to add value-added products to create additional revenue streams so the young guys can make a living too with what you’re doing,” said Greg Callies, one of seven Callies that are involved in the farming operation. “The girls also get involved – they all have jobs and occupations off the farm which creates income and covers much of the health insurance. We all have a vote but once the decision’s made you have to just go forward. You can’t get all caught up by second guessing yourself.”
Eugene Callies started farming 71 years ago at the age of 13 when his father became too ill to farm. He married Dorothy in 1947 and the two made their home on the farm. Their three sons Greg, Jeff and Dan all started farming in the 70s growing corn, small grain, oats, beans and raising hogs, commercial cattle and operating a dairy herd.
Then Greg’s sons, Ryan Miller and David Callies, as well as Dan’s son, Barry Callies, all joined the farming operation. Now, the family raises corn, soybeans, wheat, hay, commercial cattle and purebred Angus and Simmental cattle.
Ages on the farm range from Gene, who is 84, to David, who is just 26.
In addition, each have developed a special expertise in some aspect of the operation; be it cattle breeding, machinery repair and maintenance, bookkeeping and cattle feeding. However, what it all boils down to is that everyone lends a hand when it comes down to the busy time.
Greg Callies summed it up when he said that to become a farmer you have to like what you do: be it working with livestock or growing the crops.
A major challenge for the family is the high cost of the land necessary to run a farm the size of their operation. “It’s hard to think that it could take a million dollars to purchase a piece of farm land and then try to make it work,” Greg said.
The biggest change has been with the new genetically modified crops. “The yields have been something that could never have been attained before they came along,” Greg said. “With the cattle we use a lot more information and data – there’s also more we keep record of – and we use all the information to make the best decision we can. We’ve also made use of marketing tools with the crop insurance and leveraging. That’s been a big change over the years.”
When it is all said and done, the Callies are able to work together. “You can trust them even if they might boss each other,” Greg said. “You get to see the end product of your work – watch it from beginning to end. It’s still a special thing to be able to live and work all together. Sometimes it’s four generations being together working. I think that’s harder and harder to find.”


CAPTION: Callies family members who all participate in the farming operation are left to right: Ryan Miller, Greg Callies, David Callies, Barry Callies, Dan Callies and Jeff Callies. Seated are Eugene and Dorothy Callies. (Photo courtesy of Kathy Callies)

Future still bright for agriculture

(Heather Gessner, Tracey Renelt, Jim Krantz)

In South Dakota, agriculture has always been a major industry. And that is no different in Kingsbury, Lake, McCook and Miner counties.
“Agriculture is a major part of our community,” said Jim Krantz, Miner County Extension Service Educator. “Miner County is a lot like South Dakota. Ag is a big driver.”
In McCook County, Extension Educator Heather Gessner said a large share of the income is on the farm. “We have farm wives working in town to pay health insurance for the family and the farm pays most of the rest,” she said. “The agriculture field is a huge part of most of the businesses in McCook County. They relate to fuel, seed and feed, welding repair, and equipment sales; all directly tied to the farming industry.”
In Kingsbury County, agriculture is still the number one industry. “We have a lot of industrial-type businesses, but agriculture brings in the most dollars,” said Extension Service Agent Tracey Renelt. “It is a major source of income. There are so many businesses that play off of the four major cities along Highway 14.”
Paul O. Johnson, who is a SDSU Extension Educator/Agronomy, said Lake County is a very highly productive agriculture county.
Lake County is 19th in cash crop sales and ranks 20th in total receipts. The largest crop is corn with more than 120,000 acres followed by soybeans at 100,000 acres, and a distant third is alfalfa with 12,000 acres.
“Farming is a good occupation that gives a lot of flexibility and independence that a lot of jobs don’t give,” said Johnson, who works in South 3 Field Education Unit that includes Kingsbury, Lake, Miner, McCook, Brookings and Moody counties. “It is not a job that is easy to get into without some family ties to help get started.”
While agriculture is a main source of income for many, it is also a challenging industry for producers.
One of the major challenges is the weather.
For example, in Kingsbury County, there was a major challenge of getting the crops out last fall because of the weather. The corn was wet and the farmers did have a hard time getting the crop harvested, according to Renelt.
She estimates that four percent of the crop was left in the field last fall and is being harvested now this spring.
“That is a fair amount of acres that had to get harvested before the fields can get planted in the spring,” Renelt said.
There is also the challenge of growing crops on uneven ground that goes from potholes to hilltops with everything in between, according to Johnson. “It is harder to farm on this rolling terrain then like the James River Valley,” he said.
Once crops are planted, then comes the challenge of getting the crops to market to ensure the farmer can cover costs and make a profit, or hopefully break even. There are also concerns about how to pass on the family farm to a younger generation with the various state planning and tax laws.
“With the price of crop ground and equipment, getting started in the business is very expensive,” Gessner said. “In general people do want to help young producers and will do what they can to get started, while at the same time watching out for their retirement needs”
Maintaining a profitable living on the farm is always a challenge.
Renelt said the input costs fluctuate and farmers have to be able to try and manage those input costs, be it fertilizer, chemical, fuel, equipment or rent. “Cash rent has jumped quite a bit in the last few years,” Renelt said. “Farmers have to be able to turn around and market the crop at a profit.”
Another challenge that producers face is the increased number of acres it takes to make a living. With that increased acreage means hiring other employees to help. This means the farmers are becoming managers, Renelt said. “That is something that is not always a skill everyone is trained to do,” she said.
Miner County is much like the state of South Dakota. On the western side of the county, it is a little drier as there is less rain, while the eastern side of the county is more crop intensive, has a little more rainfall and is a little more productive. This provides a challenge to producers in western Miner County.
Krantz said improvements in seed technology and pesticides that control weeds in grass and crops have helped. “That’s allowed some of our less productive land, where we receive less rainfall to be competitive,” Krantz said. “That has leveled the playing field a bit. We don’t have anything but plants we want out there utilizing the moisture.”
The way farmers use technology to produce crops and livestock is probably the biggest change over the years.
“It is so scientific,” Krantz said. “We can map a field out and we can use variable rates of fertilizer. We have equipment that applies less and more when needed. We have equipment and technology allowing us to put fertilizer and plant nutrients where they need to be. Through technology we can predict how much nitrogen we need and through soil testing we know how much is already available. We know from past crops how much they will contribute. There is very little guess work anymore.”
Renelt agrees that technology has changed the farming industry over the past 20 years. “We didn’t have Round Up Ready crops. We didn’t have GPS systems. We didn’t have tracking monitors, precision planting and grid mapping in the field,” she said. “There is a lot of technology and computers at the top of the list to help manage crops and livestock daily cash flow, inputs and record keeping.”
Despite the increased technology, some are worried about losing farmers. However, in Miner County, the attrition rate is not as great as it was 5-10 years ago, Krantz said. “Miner County is fortunate to have farmer-son and family operations. We’re fortunate we do have some youth coming back.”
Krantz said farming has always been important to this community. “Today, people have started to recognize the amount of talent and management it takes to be successful in farming,” he said. “Young people coming in know their margins are so narrow and their investments so high they just have to do it right. They have to market.”
The way producers market crops and livestock is also changing. “A lot of it is done before the crop hits the ground or a pig or a calf hits the ground. They have already been sold. That’s a major thing,” Krantz said. “Crop insurance programs have changed and are huge management tools for crop and livestock producers. Crop insurance is really advantageous for producers because they can insure crops at various level. Producers have a revenue package that can insure every acre for so many dollars worth of income.”
In McCook County, Gessner said there is a transition from a diversified livestock and crop operation to strictly cash crop operation. Ethanol plants, regional elevators and just the plain fact that producers just don’t want feed livestock in cold weather are some of the reasons for this change.
“Producers are not raising corn to feed the cows, they are raising corn to sell,” she said.
Renelt said that like any business, farmers have to learn to adapt and apply what they can use. “Those that are surviving are adapting. They are taking this technology and using it for the benefit to produce crops and livestock more efficiently to feed the world,” she said. “They are not lagging behind. They are trying to incorporate the latest things into their operation that will make them more profitable because it is challenging. Everyday they face hurdles and they have to be ready for those hurdles if they are going to be around tomorrow.”
And then there are the changes that have been occurring over the past 30 years involving tillage on the farm and the size of the farm, said Johnson.
All believe the future is bright for agriculture.
“The future for farming is great,” Johnson said. “Everyone still needs to eat and South Dakota is becoming a larger player in the market all the time.”
Krantz said producers are extremely efficient and are only going to get better. “We know how to use selection tools and the data we have generated all these years to make our animals and crops more efficient. We have young people who want to come back and be involved in the operation.”

In McCook County, Gessner said there are options for young producers. “Larger operators are hiring young adults so they can get practical experience; maybe build up some cash and then maybe they can buy an operation as they become available,” she said. “With our location to ethanol plants and other markets, basis can be ‘fairer’ to producers. We can work with different pricing opportunities. Currently, zoning and public perception is pretty favorable to livestock so if someone wants to increase their operation we can help with that also.”

Renelt said there is so much opportunity out there. “You have to take a look at the big picture. We don’t just deal in the local market, it is a global economy,” she said. “We have producers in Kingsbury County that market products globally. If they are able to do things like that they are going to be around tomorrow. Not only are we feeding people locally, we are feeding people in this state, the nation and the world. If they can adapt, and find the right niche that puts them ahead of the game, they will be around.”

Long-time community builders continue to work toward growth

Merle Walter has been involved in economic development for 20 years in Arlington. His vision of economic development is promoting community development by creating present and future industry and community, creating jobs and creating stability.
“Nothing’s ever a guarantee,” he said.
The community was able to land Global Industry, an injection molding company. Global Industry is the largest business with almost 100 employees. Now the company is focusing on new ways to move their product and applications.
Arlington is also working to stabilize Main Street. Recently, Kinder Hardware went out of business and the community is rallying to maintain a hardware store.
“The main thing is to keep people in Arlington and create jobs to maintain our schools,” Walter said. The economic development group purchased a vacant building on Main Street and is renting the space to a call center. Link It is in the process of creating up to 10 jobs.
Another way that the community has been looking to expand its business climate is through partnerships. Over a five-year period, the development corporation will provide the Brookings Economic Development Corporation $25,000 to help bring business in to the community.
“There were a lot of concerns about going with a bigger community because they are just going to take our money and not going to do anything,” Walter said. “But it has been just the opposite. I thought it was a good deal. They have been very supportive of us.”
Another economic development tool being used by the city of Arlington and the development corporation is a revolving loan fund to help with business development. Each has put $100,000 into the pot for that purpose.
Location is another tool being used. The community is located close to I-29, as well as the communities of Brookings, Watertown and Madison.
“We maintain the small community aspect, but we still have a lot to offer,” Walter said. “Arlington has always maintained about 1,000 people. I think that is our comfort level.”
Driving south down Highway 81 is Salem, a community that is just off Interstate 90.
Darwin Miiller has been involved with economic development for more than 15 years in Salem. The goal for the Salem Development Corporation is to procure and develop new and existing businesses in the area. “Like the majority of smaller communities, we have limited resources,” Miiller said. “Sometimes development corporations forget about existing businesses that are around. We try to maintain that happy medium for both.”
While the last couple of years have been tough for communities, Miiller said Salem has maintained.
The community’s major manufacturing companies have closed down, but recently a new manufacturing company has submitted a plan to the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and will open in Salem, according to Miiller. The first year 27 jobs are expected and by the end of the third year the projections are 45-50 employees.
Possibly, the biggest draw to Salem is location. The community is three miles from I-90, which runs east and west throughout South Dakota and Highway 81, which runs north and south from the Canadian Border to the Mexican border.
“We are a bedroom community, but do have services,” Miiller said.
Miiller admits that he thought there would be an exodus of people when Salem’s major manufacturing company closed, but changed that mindset quickly because of the nature of the community. “Anyone who lives in a small town wants to stay in that small town,” Miiller said. “They like the rural living.”
Miiller said future development will be a slow, steady process.

Prostrollo finds economic development rewarding

Jerry Prostrollo has been involved in economic development for more than 30 years and during that time period, the Madison native says it has been exciting, fun and rewarding.
Prostrollo was involved in three major economic development projects: the Dakota State University mission change, Gehl Manufacturing moving to town and rail service reestablished in Madison.
Many people have been involved in economic development throughout the years, Prostrollo said. “One person doesn’t do it all.”
He started in the petroleum business. Then, in 1957, Prostrollo launched Prostrollo’s Auto Mall. He owned multiple dealerships throughout South Dakota and Minnesota. There were 11 employees at the start. Today, that same dealership in town has 80 employees.
His son, Pat, who runs Prostrollo Auto Mall in Madison, remembers how hard his father worked to make the Madison area a better, stronger place to live and raise a family. “He would spend a great deal of his time away from his business on local and state issues and business recruitment, not for his own self interest but for the betterment of the entire Lake County area,” Pat said.
One time Pat hauled two foot pieces of sod from the south side of Lake Herman to build a sod house at Prairie Village. “At the time I wondered to myself, why does he do these sorts of things and why does he care?” he recalls. “Then I got into business with him and realized how important Prairie Village and all the other projects he worked tirelessly on were to the Madison area. He spent weeks, maybe months, recruiting companies like Gehl Industries, Rapid Air, Guerdon’s Mobile Homes, and many, many others.”
Prostrollo retired from the car business 18 years ago. But, it wasn’t long before Gov. Bill Janklow called and asked for Prostrollo’s help.
He was appointed chairman of the REDI Fund. Later, he was appointed chairman of the South Dakota Railroad Authority.
As part of the South Dakota Railroad Authority, he helped secure a $33 million bond that constructed a railroad line to the coal fields. This was essential for the Big Stone Power plant.
That connection with the Railroad Authority also helped bring the Burlington Northern Railroad back to Madison.
“The town needs a railroad,” Prostrollo said.
A railroad allows farmers to export their grain. In addition, the elevator was able to increase storage capabilities and bring fertilizer in by rail cars, helping reduce its costs, Prostrollo said.
“It makes land more valuable and there is potential for economic development.”
Prostrollo was instrumental in luring Gehl Manufacturing to the community in the 1980s. “Bringing the industry to town spurred things on,” Prostrollo said.
And then with the help of Gov. Janklow’s efforts, Prostrollo said Madison was able to save Dakota State University. At that time there were 700 students. Now, more than 20 years after the mission change, more than 2,500 students are attending the university.
A new group now is working on economic development and Prostrollo is satisfied with the direction economic development is moving in Madison.
And Pat is following his father’s footsteps in business. And after becoming involved, Pat said he understood the importance of his father’s activities. “I’m grateful for those values he instilled in me growing up. “You truly can make a difference.”

Parry: A Difference Maker

For the past 15 years, Howard has seen economic success behind the leadership of Rural Learning Center President Randy Parry. Parry will never take credit for any of the success. He considers himself just a facilitator.
However, those who know and have worked with the leader of one of the most successful small county turnarounds in South Dakota will tell you that Parry is a difference maker.
Long-time friend Tom Kilian said Parry brings great energy and tireless enthusiasm to the projects of the moment. “He is sincere, earnest, plainly committed, patient and forgiving. He likes people, is extroverted and friendly,” he said. “He processes quickly and connects the dots that many don’t even see. He is kind and socially concerned.”
Jim Beddow, who is working with Parry at the RLC, said Parry’s leadership and passion for the cause resulted from a conclusion that if he did not get involved his fingerprints would be on the decline of Miner County. “Secondly, and most importantly, he ultimately answered a "call" from within that he should make the move to leave a secure position at the school and lead this effort,” Beddow said. “In my view, he is the epitome of the power and possibility of transformational leadership.”
Pat Maroney said Parry is a difference maker because of the respect he has earned in all the endeavors he has chosen to do in his life. Maroney said that respect has been earned from hard work and a positive and confident attitude.
“Randy has built relationships with the students he taught, the athletes he coached and now with his peers at the Rural Learning Center. Randy's life is a vocation, not a job. The results speak for themselves.”
Parry was raised in Canistota in McCook County, where his father worked as a feed grinder traveling to farms in the area. He graduated from Canistota High School and then went on to the University of Sioux Falls, where he earned a degree in education and business economics. He landed at Howard in the fall of 1970 and continued teaching until 2000 when he helped launch the Miner County Community Revitalization, which today is called the Rural Learning Center.
Parry remembers the first endeavor in economic development involved the school district and the issues the students talked about that were confronting Miner County.
“It wasn’t just economic development. It was leadership. It was conversation,” Parry said. “It was an approach that was saying we have to come up with a strategic plan to grow and to transform Miner County.”
Since 1995, the Rural Learning Center has leveraged $74.1 million in infrastructure and jobs, created a diversified economy that includes wind energy and has developed an assisted living center, children’s care corner and negotiated and saved jobs for one of the largest industries in the county.
Parry said the road to change is not easy, it is sometimes messy work. “It is really difficult to be able to get communities that feel it is hopeless to take time and effort to create a plan for a positive, aesthetic change,” he said. “Sometimes you have to start small – like moving the stumps out of Fedora, but at the same time being strategic about bringing the grassroots of people together to say this is their plan. We are really acting as facilitators.”
Rebecca Mommaerts has been working with Parry for only a few months, but said it didn’t take long to see how truly dedicated Parry is to his community. “His work at the Rural Learning Center is more than just a job to him; it’s a life mission. He’s never off-the-clock; it seems like he’s always working to create and sustain jobs and homes in our community, during the day, at night, and even when he went on vacation recently,” she said. “It doesn’t take long for a person to become inspired when they are around Randy Parry. He works for what he believes in, and believes in his work. Miner County is lucky to have him.”
Tami Severson, who has been working for several years with Parry, said Parry is never afraid to bring key people together to discuss difficult or challenging issues. “When bringing these groups or organizations together he provides an open and honest atmosphere. When openness and honesty are present, and the meetings are about the issues themselves, innovative solutions can be revealed,” she said. “His ability to connect with people on a professional and personal level has built solid relationships with organizations, and most importantly, the people within organizations. People and organizations remember feeling like they were needed in these conversations because he believes they truly were.”

New development leader adding different spin

Rita Anderson has been the economic development director for De Smet since Jan. 1. Anderson, who had been involved with community development in Colorado, took the job because of how progressive De Smet has always been. During her work in Colorado, Anderson used De Smet as an example of how a small community can thrive.
“The community took a unique historic legacy and developed it into a tourism attraction and now it has really put De Smet on the map,” Anderson said. “We have over 25,000 people from around the world visit us and tour the Laura Ingalls Wilder historic sites each year.”
Laura Ingalls Wilder continues to draw people to De Smet. “Tourism has increased this year where a lot of places have not,” Anderson said.
Another business, De Smet Farm Mutual Insurance Company of South Dakota recently had a $2.5 million expansion. Now there are more than 200 employees.
Then there is the city’s industrial park. Currently, the economic development group will be building a new 10,000 square foot spec building in the business park this spring.
Already, the industrial park has several anchoring tenants including Lyle Signs. The company that makes green interstate signs occupies two buildings and employs 90 people.
Geofurnace, the community’s first green industry, employs 20 people. Geofurnace manufactures geothermal heat pumps.
A custom window manufacturing company, DeSco Architectural employs 32 people. A medical device manufacturer is also part of the fabric of the industrial park. UltiMed employs more than 75 people.
One tenant, C. M. I., Inc, moved from the industrial park to a larger building on the north side of town. Currently, there are two or three open spaces in the industrial park.
Legend Seeds, another large local business which has customers in a 4 – state region, has 46 employees.
“We have a good mixture of businesses,” Anderson said. “All over with small towns you have to have an active economic development to keep a community going. We have been fortunate to be able to concentrate on expanding rather than worry about maintaining. We feel good about the future. The residents and businesses of DeSmet are very progressive and forward thinking.”

Different methods but same hope

Economic development is used to help create jobs for those who live in rural communities. Each community has a different method, but the hope is always the same; create jobs and see a community grow.
Rural Learning Center President Randy Parry said the economic development impact is huge on a community. “Once people understand that it is possible to accomplish change, they then see that the future is not hopeless and they actually see things and are able to understand why change happened,” he said. “They are actually moving and growing.”
The key moving forward is to be more efficient in helping businesses, Lake Area Improvement Corporation Executive Director Dwaine Chapel said. “The cost of doing business hasn’t increased as drastically as the risk of doing business has increased.”
Chapel heads Madison’s efforts to create jobs using a partnership network by helping businesses expand, recruiting businesses, providing incentives for workforce development, helping market Lake County and working with investors in Forward Madison.
The Forward Madison campaign, created three years ago, set a goal of 400 jobs. To date, the campaign has created 360 jobs.
“It has also helped set an atmosphere for company expansions,” Chapel said. “Recruitment is a great opportunity and a very important part of the overall picture, but you need to take care of who is here first.”
Over the past few years, the LAIC has worked on expansion projects with CE Attachments, Integra Plastics and Rosebud Manufacturing. The development group helped create a Tax Incrementing Finance (TIF) District for affordable housing and also worked with James River Equipment and Heartland Consumers Power District in their efforts to move into the Lakeview Industrial Park.
“The community is much more aware of all the things they can do to be part of economic development,” Chapel said. “Each individual industry within Madison is part of economic development. They all become one and this helps the community grow.”
Chapel said there are companies looking to move, but the cost of attracting those companies has increased dramatically.
Forward Madison incentives have helped. These incentives include electric rebates and workforce training in forms of hiring and training incentives, as well as negotiating places for employees to live. In addition, LAIC has put together an entrepreneurial program that helps with business plan development and working with financials.
Howard is constructing a multi-dimensional complex that will have a hotel, wellness center and conference training facility. The focus will be leadership development, housing and economic development, as well as wind and solar training and rural health issues. The building will be a LEED platinum, certified building.
Parry said several communities are calling and asking for help and advice. “This is a place where people can come in and connect, grow and learn from each other.”
The Rural Learning Center’s mission is to create a unique place for people to gather, to converse, and to strategically plan ways of improving the lives of the people in rural America. The building will tie into that mission, according to Parry.
“Not only will it be a place where people can come and exchange ideas and learn, but it will also be a place where people from anywhere in the world will be able to exchange these ideas through video conferencing and Internet access,” Parry said. “We don’t have all the answers. What we do have is to share what we have learned over the years and connect that with other entities that also can help their communities grow.”

Oldham, Montrose involved with success stories

Two area communities are among several across South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska that have had recent community success stories.
Representatives from both communities gave presentations at the 10th Annual Midstates Community and Economic Development Conference in South Sioux City, Neb., last month. The day-long conference focused on successful strategies and innovative ideas to help communities and rural development groups in South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa.
Amy Condon, who has been working with projects in Montrose, said the main point of their talk was sharing with other communities how they went about starting and sustaining projects.
Roger Eide, who is the mayor in Oldham, said his talk focused on not giving up. “When you start looking at your community you find out there a lot of assets,” he said. “People are our most important assets.”
Oldham has developed a housing development project to take possession of tax delinquent property in the city, clean up the lots and make them available free to anyone who will build a single family home on the property.
To date, five lots have been cleared. In addition, there have been 25 inquiries about the lots and the community has seven applications.
“I think we’ve come a long way,” said Eide, who is also the head of the Oldham Area Improvement Corporation. “We weren’t doing anything as far as any type of development activity in the past. We’re making some progress. It is slow and it is challenging. It takes persistence.”
Montrose has also been working on a community development project. The project provides opportunities for community members for healthy, low-cost product, financial assistance for those who cannot meet their basic needs, education classes and physical and recreational activity.
Three ladies have been spearheading the activities.
Charla Cope has been orchestrating Spudfest, a yearly celebration that provides community spirit. In addition, the community has started Cash for Community program where part of the proceeds to help those who need to make payments, such as utility bills or groceries.
Connie Smith and Condon are both involved in community education that includes computer classes and yoga classes. Condon also spearheads the community garden, where community members grow produce and then distribute the produce through a farmer’s market.
One challenge for the Montrose community was getting people involved. Another was suggesting projects that just didn’t work out.
What the organizers did learn from the project was that the city has community spirit. “People are already asking what day the next Spudfest is because they want to be there and have fun,” Cope said.

Exciting two months for Rural Ventures

In less than two months, Rural Ventures has become an online publication hit.
On Feb. 1, the first issue was launched with more than 340 visits on the web site the first month. Now, when the words ‘Rural Ventures’ are typed into Google, the publication is listed fifth out of more than 4 million different pages. At times, both the PDF that is sent to the partners and the web site are in the top five.
From what I have been told about those who know about how Google and how the web site works, this is good news. It means that people are reading the stories that are being written and more importantly, having opportunities to view our partners’ web sites.
My feeling is there are several reasons why Rural Ventures is being read from people around the country and even as far away as Israel, England and India.
First, there are the stories that are being written and the people that are telling the stories. People are craving stories that enlighten, educate and enhance their everyday life.
Then, there is the network of partners that distribute the publication either by placing a link on their web site or by sending the publication to their distribution list. I have been told by more than one partner that they are behind this venture because it shows that there are good things happening in our communities and our counties.
Finally and possibly the most important aspect is what the publication stands for: “strengthening rural communities by connecting them.” This is our way of helping bring businesses and families back to South Dakota by telling the stories of the people who are in the communities.
And that is exactly what economic development leaders are doing in their communities as you will read in this month’s issue; strengthening their communities by connecting with others who have the knowledge and expertise to help them grow into the future.
Right in our own backyard there is being built a state-of-the-art learning center in Howard. In addition, two economic development trend setters – Jerry Prostrollo and Randy Parry – are continuing to work to bring jobs to communities, but more importantly the younger group is learning from those two and others and carrying on the torch.
And Rural Ventures is just a rural publication that is doing what it does best – telling stories – to help the economic development cause.

Cross country skiing provides workout

Though not as popular as ice fishing, those who get out and do cross country skiing can get a real workout and also get in touch with nature.

Madison resident Tom Farrell has been an avid cross country skier. But it has been a few years since he and his wife, Joyce, have been out on the trail.
“Cross country skiing isn’t as popular today as it might have been 15-20 years ago,” Tom Farrell said. “Skiing is fun. However, (locally) it lacks a real champion.”
Lake Herman State Park, southwest of Madison, provides cross country skiers a connecting trail that has three different loops. All a cross country skier has to do is get to the entrance of the state park and hit each one of them.
The longest is Abbott Trail, which is 1.2 miles around the pond. The Pioneer Nature Trail is 1.1 miles and then there is a .4 mile loop. In all, cross country skiers can travel more than 2.5 miles around the state park.
“There are people out there all the time,” said Vicki Seger, District Supervisor for the Game, Fish and Parks. “I wouldn’t say in large numbers. The best place to get on is the entrance near Herman Luce Cabin.”
When the Farrells started cross country skiing in the 1970s there were not many groomed trails to travel on. The duo bought their first pair of cross country skis in 1978. At that time, the Farrells could purchase boots, poles and skis for $100. However, the wooden skis required more maintenance than those purchased today.
Tom and Joyce Farrell have spent many years teaching others about cross country skiing through different education classes. Tom Farrell provided a course at Dakota State University, while Joyce Farrell showed students in the Madison School District how to move on skis. In addition, the two were also part of an adult community education cross country skiing class that ended with a moonlight ski at Lake Herman State Park.
Tom Farrell said skiing is a good physical activity. “More importantly it is an opportunity to get out in nature,” he said. “Out in the state park it was not uncommon to see pheasants and deer. Also, exciting to us from a teacher perspective, is that just about any one could learn in a short period of time and be successful.”
He considers the trails at Lake Herman State Park as beginning-level trails. “I would rate them as being very easy to ski,” he said. “They do a wonderful job of maintaining the trails. The wonderful thing about the state park being open and maintained year around, you can pick the area you want to go to.”
Seger said cross country skiers are on the trails regularly and are pretty faithful to cross country skiing.
“We have worked very hard to keep the park open so people can get to the trails,” Seger said. “You don’t see a lot of people doing it. Those who do it are dedicated to cross country skiing.”
During the summer, walkers can be seen all throughout the park. However, walking the park and cross country skiing are two different things.
“It takes a lot to cross country ski,” Seger said.
There are still people who do walk, but Seger said if they want to walk they need to walk off to the side. In addition, to enter Lake Herman State Park, cross country skiers need either an annual pass or a day pass during the winter season.

Trapping is 'Pete's' Life

Steve ‘Pete’ Peterson will tell you he was born a trapper.
“When I started, I figured it out on my own,” Peterson said. “I purchased Fur, Fish and Game Magazine and read it from cover to cover. A lot of what I learned about trapping came from the magazine.”
John Almquist, public relations specialist for the South Dakota Trappers Association, said Peterson is an important link in the fur business because he supplies the trapper and is an optional outlet for selling furs. “There are very few fur buyers in South Dakota,” he said. “Pete also sells trapping supplies and his trapping supplies are necessary items to have.”
Lake County Conservation Officer Brandon Gust said trapping benefits the sportsman for hunting and the private sector by eliminating nuisance animals that have caused losses to animals and land.
“There are broad benefits from trapping,” he said. “Trapping can have a huge impact on all those aspects. Our trapping and numbers of people trapping has declined because of market value decreasing. Those who are still trapping are benefiting.”
Almquist adds that a well conducted harvest of furbearers by trappers also minimizes the effect of diseases. “Diseases carried by furbearers can infect livestock, pets and humans,” he said. “Trapping is not the ultimate solution to wildlife disease outbreaks. But, trapping can reduce the threat of diseases to the health of people, domestic animals and other wildlife.”
Peterson, 48, whose business Peterson Furs is located northwest of Ramona, S. D., started trapping when he was 12 years old. He found some old traps on the family farm near Strandburg. “I found that trapping was what I really was good at,” he said.
Peterson started his fur trapping business in an old renovated grainery at the farm and it was from there the business evolved. He started adding supplies including lures, bait and traps to sell furs and then resupply. Eighteen months ago he added an addition for a trapping supply warehouse.
Once he started buying furs, Peterson joined the South Dakota Trappers Association and started attending the annual Rendezvous. “That is when it really took off,” he said. “I learned so much so fast. It really did help me become a much better trapper.”
Working full time at Gehl Company in Madison does make it difficult to trap because of the commitment it takes. “Once you set those traps you are responsible for checking them everyday,” he said.
Trapping starts in November and usually ends in April. In March, trappers are looking for muskrats and badgers. In April, it will turn to beaver.
During a two-week period in November, Peterson checks about 150 traps each day. During the winter, he also traps muskrats, coyotes and other animals.
“Trapping provides supplemental income for many people and families in South Dakota,” Almquist said. “It also provides direct economic benefits to fur buyers, fur processors, fur garment industries and small town retail businesses.”
Another part of the lure of trapping is the relaxation and the peacefulness and being in touch with nature. “I think trappers probably are all pretty good wildlife biologists,” Peterson said. “To be a good trapper you have to know a lot about the outdoors and a lot about the animals you are taking. You have to really study them.”
Trappers have also refined their methods. “The equipment we are using is much more standardized,” he said. “We developed smarter methods for taking these animals.”
For Peterson, the two weeks he does trapping is fun, but is also very challenging. “You are one on one with that animal,” he said.
Peterson uses the example of a coyote. He didn’t catch his first coyote until he was 25 years old. “They are a very wary animal. They are very intelligent,” he said. “They are not easy to take.”
While coyotes might be one of the most difficult to catch, muskrats are probably the most popular. “It is a fun animal to catch because there are a large number and easy to take,” Peterson said.

Snowmobiling is Family Affair

Justin Palmquist was eight years old when he started snowmobiling with his father. He liked it so much that now at 29, he has become an avid snowmobile rider.
“I like to be in the outdoors and the rush of driving something fast,” Palmquist said.
Palmquist, who works on the technology infrastructure at Horizon Healthcare in Howard, S. D., has ridden all different types of snowmobiles.
Palmquist said snowmobiling has changed. “Most people go west. They ride a little less at home,” he said. “There are a lot more places to ride and see in the west.”
While Palmquist has ridden snowmobiles, Todd Casper rides and also works on snowmobiles year around in his shop just outside of Lake Preston, S. D.
“There are fewer snowmobiles out there than in previous years,” he said.
The reason Casper sees more snowmobiles is because he is open when most stores aren’t. Casper estimates that he does a minor or complete overhaul on 350-400 sleds that come in from around the country each year. “It is a tough industry,” he said. “Snow this year has helped out.”
For Palmquist, snowmobiling has become a family affair. His wife, Kandy, joins him in snowmobile rides that take them to places for dinner or just for fun with the family. In addition, they go to the Black Hills and further west into the Rocky Mountains for the scenery and to ride in places that can be seen only by horse or plane.
In addition, Palmquist drives his snowmobile to work at least once a week when there is enough snow and the weather is at least 10 degrees above zero.
The challenge of riding snowmobile in the mountains is the deep snow. The challenge of riding around Miner County deals with speed and riding with friends. There is not a trail system in Miner County.
The snowmobile riding in Miner County involves riding the ditches and it is important that snowmobilers understand that at each intersection approach there could be culverts that provide obstacles for the skis. In addition, reflectors are part of the snowmobiling landscape through the ditches. When going uphill, Palmquist said it is important to go straight up the hill and carry speed.
“You can go anywhere you want where there is snow,” he said. “It is camaraderie getting together with buddies and riding sleds.”
Palmquist estimates that there are at least 25 snowmobilers that ride throughout Miner County. “We are seeing more snowmobilers because of the snow,” he said.
Casper said snowmobilers have found that there are places to ride around the country. Locally, families who had five or six sleds, now have one or two because there are not the trails to ride on.
“The only thing that impacts snowmobiling is the amount of snow,” Casper said. “This year we had a lot of snow and sleds have come out from storage; sleds that haven’t been used for as many as four seasons.”
Palmquist agrees this has been one of the better years for snowmobile rides. “On a normal year, I might get 100 miles at home and then go out west,” he said. “This year, I already have 200 miles at home.”

Ice Fishing popular social activity

Brandon Gust (left) Andy Schmahl (right)

During the winter season, there is snowmobiling, cross country skiing and trapping, but maybe the most popular winter outdoor sport is ice fishing.
Lake County Conservation Officer Brandon Gust said ice fishing has gained popularity because of the ease of getting into the sport. ‘You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars for a boat,” he said. “For a thousand dollars you can be set up for ice fishing. We have a lot of lakes you can fish in this part of state. It is easier to take your family out and do that activity. You can get everywhere you want to go and get to spots easily.”
Andy Schmahl, who is the McCook County Conservation Officer, said ice fishing around this area is much different than the northern part of the state where there is better ice and better shacks.
“Around here we have portable shack fisherman. They go fishing when they have the time,” he said. “It is another opportunity to spend time outside.
“You don’t see guys go fishing by themselves,” he added. “There’s a larger portion that hang out with a friend. It is more a social opportunity. The die hard ice fisherman will go out even if fish aren’t biting.”
In Lake County, there are three main lakes that ice fishermen go to – Lake Herman, Lake Madison and Brant Lake.
Gust said that although ice fishing is extremely popular, this year has been the exception because of the tough winter because of the extreme amount of snow on the lake making access difficult.
“For ice fishing, you need to be mobile to be able to move around and locate your fish,” Gust said. “Fishing pressure has been really slow this year on the lakes.”
Perch and walleye are the most popular fish on the Lake County lakes for ice fishermen.
On a good year, Gust said it is not unlikely to see 100 vehicles on Lake Madison and 30-40 vehicles off Johnson’s Point (Lake Madison). “Typically, most winters we have pressure every weekend,” he said.
All permanent shacks must be off all South Dakota lakes by Feb. 25. However, after that they can be removed on a daily basis.
Larger vehicles are able to access the lake with at least 12-15 inches of ice, while ATVs can access the lakes with 6-8 inches of ice and foot traffic is good for 3-4 inches of ice.
In McCook County, there are two main ice fishing areas – Lake Vermillion and Island Lake along the McCook County and Minnehaha County line.
Like other lakes in South Dakota, Lake Vermillion has been poor for ice fishing this year. However, Schmahl said that someone did catch an 11 ½ pound walleye.
“When it is good, it is as good as anywhere else,” he said. “There are a lot of walleye in there. The future forecast is fantastic.”
Schmahl said there is the potential to see fish between six and 12 inches and up to 14 inches. “It is a well-balanced lake,” he said.
While walleye and catfish are the main targets, Schmahl said there are also northern pike, croppy, blue gill and perch.
Island Lake has been more consistent for walleye and perch, Schmahl said.
Another thing about Island Lake is that it is difficult to get to the northern side of the lake. “You have to be able to get on the lake,” Schmahl said. “The guys that do know about it go out there.”
Schmahl said when the fishing is good on Island Lake, there will be 50 people out there. When Lake Vermillion is good, there will be 100 people out there.
“Ice fishing is difficult to gauge,” Schmahl said. “The impact is there. The better the fishing, the more the impact on the county.”
In Kingsbury County, there are two primary bodies of water for ice fishing: Lake Thompson and the Twin Lakes along Highway 81. And like the lakes in Lake and McCook counties, the ice fishing has been slow because of the limited mobility due to the snow.
“When ice fishing is good there are hundreds and hundreds of shacks on the lakes,” said Shane Van Bockern, Kingsbury County Conservation Officer. “There are a fair percentage of ice fishermen that don’t fish in the summer time. It seems to be a pretty popular sport, almost like a social event.”
Van Bockern said ice fishermen enjoy the outdoors and just like to unwind and relax. “People like to catch fish too,” he said.
In Kingsbury County, walleye is the targeted species, but there are also northern pike, yellow perch and croppies, Van Bockern said.
“On a weekend you could see several hundred shacks when there is a good bite going on. Weather is a factor,” Van Bockern said. “People are pretty conscious on where they are biting. With computers and cell phones, if there is a hot bite somewhere it seems like they can locate it quick.”

Small town perfect environment to raise family and to open a physical therapy clinic

A small town is where Wes Mentele wanted to raise his family. It was an added bonus that he was able to launch Howard Physical Therapy and have success in just over three years.
“We were awful nervous initially moving back,” Mentele said. “We really thought a lot about it and wrote a lot of letters to people in town. Talked to clinics we would be working with. We had people calling us the next day wondering if we were coming to town. Now, we are both very busy.”
Kim Eggert, executive director of Whispering Winds Senior Living Center in Howard, said we have used his services’ for our residents. “If we didn’t have him here, it would be more difficult for us because residents would have to find someone to haul them out of town for therapy,” she said. “Physical therapy is a much needed business in Howard.”
Rural Learning Center President Randy Parry said being able to have a young couple establish a business on Main Street is important to expand services for our community.
"It adds a critical dimension of services that we can be proud of," he said. "Having a variety of health care services helps attract young people to a community because there is a perspective that we are working to build a better community."
One of the important concepts that drove the Mentele’s to Howard was the community leaders’ drive to improve the city and the county. “We needed a progressive community to try and start our practice in,” he said.
Wes and his wife, Carrie, own Howard Physical Therapy. The Menteles have two children: Cole, 6 years old and Logan, 4 years old.
The main office is in Howard and there is a satellite office located in Woonsocket. All different types of physical therapy – ranging from back and neck pain, shoulder, physical rehabilitation after surgery and accidents – are all services that are offered.
“The neck and back problems are the most prevalent types of injuries that can limit patients,” Mentele said. “We are providing a treatment that allows them to live their life, work and enjoy different things is pretty satisfying to me.
Within the first few months the business was busy and stayed busy. Employees were hired in 2008 and 2009 and now the Menteles are looking to increase their staff to branch out into other communities.
Wes graduated from Howard High School in 1997 and then from the University of Mary in Bismarck, N. D. in 2003. Mentele has a bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation and master’s degree in Physical Therapy.
He started a practice in Bismarck, but once moving to Howard he sold the business almost 18 months ago.
“We are busier here than we thought we would be,” he said.
What makes it work is that the clinic offers a wide range of treatment and conditions. “In small community, it is hard to be specialized in one particular area,” Mentele said. “You have to be able to work a wide range.”
What surprised Mentele when moving to Howard was the way everyone is supportive. To return their support, Mentele volunteers to do sports medicine for the Howard High School football team during the season.
“People in a small town want to see people succeed,” he said. “A lot of people recognize the benefit of having small medical service in a small town because they don’t have to travel so far.”
What also helps is that Howard Physical Therapy works closely with the medical clinics in the community. “We try to keep close contact with all the healthcare providers in town as well as specialty situations in other communities,” he said.