Maesa Eschenbaum Explores Resilience and Tradition on the Tschetter 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 Maesa Eschenbaum, with Ross Tschetter, a 4th-generation farmer from Bridgewater, SD, to talk about livestock care, planting season, and the evolving role of technology in agriculture. Below, Maesa shares her reflections from a spring morning on the Tschetter family farm.
Growing up in the agriculture industry has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. The many life lessons I’ve learned and the stories I’ve heard are irreplaceable. So, when the Hungry for Truth team contacted me about being an ambassador, I was truly honored. I was excited to share a story that is very near and dear to my heart—because, as everyone knows, farming isn’t for the faint of heart.
I had the privilege of spending a beautiful spring day with Ross Tschetter on his family’s farm near Bridgewater, South Dakota.
Ross is a fourth-generation farmer who works alongside his dad, Jerome, and his uncle. When I visited, spring planting was just wrapping up. Ross’ goal that day was to finish planting the last field of soybeans, officially closing out the 2025 planting season.
We started the day with a tour of Tschetter Farms. Our first stop was a pen of 60 steers. Ross and I talked about the process of finishing out the cattle. He had purchased this pen when the steers weighed around 600–700 pounds. Now, they were nearly ready to be sent to Stockmen’s Livestock in Yankton, SD, where they would be sold and eventually processed for consumers.
Ross walked me through their feeding system—each morning, he feeds the steers using an auger that distributes feed evenly along the bunk so every animal has a chance to eat.
We also talked about the challenges Ross has faced in recent years, including the devastating derecho on May 12, 2022. The storm destroyed multiple buildings and grain bins, creating uncertainty about feed and equipment storage.
In response, Ross and his dad built a new machinery shed to house their equipment. Touring the shed was a powerful moment—it was filled with pride and the tools of their livelihood. Although it wasn’t packed from front to back, Ross said it fills up quickly once everything is inside. One detail that stood out to me was the stack of empty seed boxes, a reminder of the long hours and hard work that go into every season.
Our next stop was a visit with Ross’ dad, Jerome, who was working on getting the older planter ready for sweet corn. I loved hearing Jerome and Ross reflect on growing up on the same land they still farm today.
When I asked Jerome what the biggest change he’s seen in agriculture is, he immediately said, “The technology.” He shared how farming went from horse-drawn equipment to tractors equipped with GPS. He smiled as he mentioned how his own father was particular about having straight rows in the field—something that’s now much easier to accomplish thanks to modern tech.
To round out the morning, Ross invited me to ride along in the tractor and planter. It was his final field of soybeans for the season, located just down the road from his home. Before planting, we stepped out to check the depth of a few initial rows—Ross explained how important it is to get this right for a successful crop. As we rode along, we talked about his family and how proud he is that they are involved in their local 4-H and FFA chapters.
Next time you sit down to enjoy a warm meal, I encourage you to think about where your food comes from. Farmers like Ross work long hours, through every season, to make sure we all have food on our plates.
Thank you to Hungry for Truth for giving me the opportunity to spend a morning connecting with Ross and his family—and for allowing me to share their story.
