Cultivating Connections: YPN Manager Jaci Pieters Visits the Deinert Family Farm
Having open conversations about food and farming with South Dakotans and the farmers who grow it is what we do. In fact, that’s what Hungry for Truth is all about. We had an exciting opportunity to connect Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Network Manager, Jaci Pieters, with Kevin Deinert, a 4th-generation farmer from Mt. Vernon, SD, to chat about the hard work behind South Dakota farming, the next generation of agricultural leaders, and how connection and community play a role both on and off the farm. Below, Jaci shares her takeaways from her day on the Deinert family farm.
Growing up in Sioux Falls, farming was always part of the landscape, but never part of my family’s daily life. The closest connection I had to agriculture was my grandpa’s feed store in Kansas City, which, to be honest, my sister and I mostly treated as an oversized jungle gym. Later, when I attended SDSU, I was surrounded by agriculture, yet still remained somewhat of an outsider to it.
That changed when I had the privilege of spending a day on Kevin Deinhart’s family farm. The operation began with Kevin’s dad and is now run by Kevin and his brother, with their father still lending a hand. Between caring for cattle, managing corn and soybean crops, and maintaining their mother’s beautiful garden (where I was lucky enough to pick out a few pumpkins), I quickly gained a new appreciation for the hard work and long hours that define farm life.
Interestingly, Kevin didn’t always plan to be a farmer. He once dreamed of becoming a pharmacist before realizing that working the land was where he truly belonged.
We started the day by visiting the cattle. While the cows weren’t exactly eager to make new friends, Kevin shared a funny story about how, as a kid, he used to ride one of his cows, a vivid reminder of how deeply connected he’s always been to this life.
Next, Kevin showed me how to unload a semi full of corn, a process that surprisingly only takes about five minutes! I climbed to the top of the silo to watch the corn pour out and take in the incredible view. From up there, I could see the full scope of the Deinharts’ operation, acres of dedication, perseverance, and pride.
Then came the big moment: I got to drive a tractor. (I didn’t tell Kevin that I’m known for occasionally hitting curbs in my car.) As I carefully navigated the massive machine, Kevin explained just how expensive even a used tractor can be. It was a humbling reminder of the investment and risk farmers take on to keep their operations running. For the record, I didn’t hit anything!
By the end of the day, I was exhausted, and I hadn’t done even a fraction of what the Deinharts do on a daily basis. It was an eye-opening experience that gave me a whole new respect for the people who work tirelessly to put food on our tables.
A huge thank you to Kevin and his family for welcoming me onto their farm and sharing a glimpse into their world. Their dedication, knowledge, and heart are what make South Dakota agriculture, and communities like ours, thrive.
