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The new South Dakota Wheat Growers facility in Andover, and a long-abandoned grain elevator in Crandall. Photos by Chris Laingen

FIRED UP: Where farmers bring their harvest, then and now

Chris Laingen, an assistant professor of geography at Eastern Illinois University who is working on creating an updated delineation of the Corn Belt, was in South Dakota a few weeks ago and snapped these pictures on his tour. They give… 

Sonny Law and family. Photo by Faulk County Record

What brought you back to your rural roots?

Many, if not most, communities in the Dakotafire area have seen some of the youth that left return years later. Here are some of their stories; if you’re also a “returnee,” share your story in the comments!

A barn fire, from horseandman.com

FIRED UP: The rural facts we used to know

The fact that hay can spontaneously combust when stored wet is something that was once common knowledge but is not any longer as people move away from agriculture.

Cattle genetics and good care of the land are Koprivas’ strategies for success

The Koprivas raise registered and commercial Angus cattle on about 1,200 acres of native grassland, seeded pastures and hayland. Jim and Lee each have their own operations but share labor and equipment, which lowers costs for both of them. The arrangement also gives them a level of freedom that is tough to come by when working with livestock.