Released: March 01, 2002

Leoti Couple Named Master Farmer, Homemaker

LEOTI, Kan. – With five sons ranging in age from two to 20, Jeff and Terri Ridder of Leoti, Kan. said they would not have enjoyed their farming success without the young men.

Dustan, Garrett, Gage, Evan and Aaron have found their place in the family’s farming and ranching operation. From FFA and 4-H involvement to becoming members of dad’s official cow-checking team, the Ridders intertwined the strong ties of family with their agricultural enterprise.

"Farming is a great occupation to raise kids and a family," Jeff said. "They slowly are able to do more to help around the farm as they grow older (by) gaining experience and accomplishments."

On March 22, the Ridders will be recognized as a Kansas Master Farmer and Master Farm Homemaker during ceremonies at the Holiday Inn in Manhattan. Friends can make reservations by calling 785-532-5820 by March 8. Tickets, including dinner, cost $20. The banquet begins at 6 p.m.

The Master Farmer-Farm Homemaker program, which is co-sponsored by Kansas State University Research and Extension and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry, annually recognizes six Kansas families. The family was nominated by the Extension Council in Wichita County.

Heavily influenced by his father, Jeff said there was no doubting his father’s passion for the land.

"You could always see the way he loved farming," Jeff said. "He made it his life. My grandfather first moved out from Kingman County in 1930, with dad taking over some of his ground in the 1950s. I returned from college in 1979 and started working for Dad, slowly adding my own land and cattle."

After graduating from Kansas State University, Jeff’s degree in agricultural economics and Terri’s degree in accounting complimented the agricultural heritage from both sides of their family. Returning to their hometown of Leoti, the Ridders settled into an established resource network ranging from physical equipment to emotional support.

"Our families have a long tradition and love for farming," Terri said. "When Jeff was farming with both his dad and my dad, Jeff rarely got to run the tractor because that was where the other two really wanted to be."

The Ridders have also teamed up with Jeff’s brother, Tom, to strengthen the operation.

"My brother came back to farm after my father passed away in 1996," Jeff said. "He had more educational background and experience with cattle and had many good ideas. It has helped to have each other to bounce ideas off."

The farm operation consists of more than 2,000 acres of dryland and 500 acres of irrigated land. Along with more than 1,300 acres of pasture, the Ridders manage more than 4,000 acres of rented and owned land.

The family fills its farm’s feedlot pens with custom calves contracted for Future Beef Operations. The labor-intense backgrounding operation provides work when farming activities slow through the winter months.

"We start cattle for commercial operations," Jeff said. "The weaned calves grow from 450 to around 750 [pounds]. We have decided to custom feed to keep our capital costs down and reduce risk."

The Ridders said they make family a priority by spending time with one another regardless of the heavy work load and sometimes even use it as a means.

"The cattle are an opportunity to work together with my wife and children," Jeff said. "Terri and the younger boys enjoy going along for the ride to check cows. The older boys help process cattle, pull and tag calves during calving season or heat check towards [artificial insemination]. Everyone likes to help herd cows and calves on horseback to new pastures."

Jeff said misconceptions plague the industry with false depictions of farmers.

"We battle a dual image," Jeff said. "While many people think farms are very rich and live high on the hog, others think of them as backward hicks. Neither of these stereotypes is accurate."

Relying on these perceptions, the public does not always understand the needs of production agriculturists.

"It’s tough to try to stay alive and in business while figuring out how to become competitive and to increase profitability," Jeff said. "Farmers are receptive to new innovations. For example, we have started tracking our cattle through the packing plant to gather carcass data as a means to provide an improved and more valuable product to the consumer."

Additional adjustments to their operation include a crop rotation which follows a wheat, milo and fallow cycle to gain an extra crop every third year. The Ridders use minimum tillage to conserve soil and water.

"It’s difficult to make a good living, with crop prices so low and input costs continuing to increase," Jeff said. Even if farmers have large operations, they are not necessarily making money at current prices and costs, he added.

In addition to work on their farm, the Ridders have worked to make their community a better place. They have served as leaders for the Marienthal Meadowlarks 4-H Club, and on the FSA Committee and Fair Board. They belong to Kansans for Life and Farm Bureau, and participate in numerous activities with the St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus.

"With a small community, people have to get involved," Terri said. "We try to be as involved as possible, while realizing the need to stagger and limit involvement. Everything is centered on family and circles around the farm."

In 1997, the family helped start Marienthal Christian School, a private, non-denominational Christian elementary school. They said it was a time-consuming but very rewarding activity.

"Agriculture is a real faith-builder," Terri said. "We can truly say everything we have is by the grace of God. Setbacks are His way of humbling us and reminding us to be thankful for the good harvests we often take for granted."

"When hail and wind storms wiped out a good portion of the wheat and corn crops last year, faith in God helped us through it," Jeff added. "You have to have faith to grin and bear it. Keep your eyes open in whatever you’re doing and maintain your willingness to work and sacrifice."

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Lucas Shivers, Communications Assistant
lshivers@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News