South Dakota’s Storm family keeps farming in the family

ETHAN, S.D. — The Storm family has farming in their blood and the next generation in the family is eager to join in on the tradition.

Ryan and Amy Storm both grew up on family farms around the Mitchell, South Dakota, area. After they both graduated from South Dakota State University, the two married and began farming and raising their own family back on the farm where Ryan grew up.

Young farmers and ranchers

According to the 2017 U.S. Census of Agriculture, the average age of American farmers that year was 57.5. That went up to 58.1 in the 2022 Census. Only 9% of farmers were under 35 years old in both the 2017 and 2022 Censuses. Agweek and other Forum Communications’ newspapers are highlighting young farmers and ranchers in the industry to look at what the future holds for agriculture.

On their operation, they raise corn, soybeans, hogs and run a small herd of cattle on the side.

They consider the hogs to be the “bread and butter” of their operation with two 1,200 head finishing barns and a 1,200 head nursery barn. Ryan has also been active on the South Dakota Pork Producers Council Board of Directors and the whole family has participated in activities with the organization, including working at the pork producers stand each summer during Dakotafest in Mitchell.

Like most family farms across the region, their children play an important role in the operation. Whether it’s moving hogs, feeding cattle, or getting their crop in, the whole family works together to get the job done day-to-day.

Ryan and Amy Storm grew up on their family farms around the Mitchell, South Dakota area, and have spent their lives involved in agriculture.

The opportunity to spend time with their family doing what they love and watching each of their three sons enjoy it, too, has been the most rewarding part of farming for them.

In addition to their 1,200 head nursery, the Storms also operate two 1,200 head finishing barns.

“We both grew up on the farm, we chose the farming life to do that and to raise our kids. Of course, there’s many opportunities to teach life lessons on the farm and so I’ve appreciated that. But, the other thing I’ve just really appreciated is that they want to do what we do,” Amy said.

Their oldest son, Jake, 23, is now back on the farm full-time which he says has always been his dream.

Jake Storm, 23, recently came back to his family farm full-time and is excited to be the next generation in his family to continue farming.

“I’ve wanted to come back ever since I was a little kid,” Jake said. “I mean, I kind of always knew that that was the end of the road.”

After graduating from Mitchell Technical College in 2021 with a degree in precision agriculture, Jake started working full-time for CHS Farmers Alliance in Ethan, South Dakota, as an applicator while continuing to help out on the farm. Although he knew he wanted to eventually come back to his family’s operation full-time, it was a decision that he says took much consideration.

“As a young farmer coming back, it’s a lot to get started. You have to really financially budget that I’m farming now, you don’t have that two-week paycheck coming,” Jake said. “There’s risk involved, trying to put it all on the line and we hope it pays off at the end of the year.”

Throughout the challenges involved with getting started in farming, Jake says he is grateful to have his parents, grandparents and other people in his corner to learn from.

“Them obviously being there and teaching me, it’s a big factor that I take for granted. They just have the knowledge of it all,” Jake said.

Jake and his wife, Sydney, have plans in the future to expand onto the hog side of the operation by building a 2,400 head finishing barn. Sydney, a 2023 South Dakota State University graduate with a degree in agriculture business, also works off the farm as a billing specialist for CHS Farmers Alliance.

Cow (1).JPG — The Storms raise corn, soybeans, and hogs and also run a small herd of cattle, which is Kory’s, 20, favorite side of the operation.

While Jake says he enjoys the crop side of the operation the most, his two younger brothers also have an interest in the farm. Kory, 20, is currently a freshman at South Dakota State University where he is studying animal science and enjoys the livestock side of things, particularly the cattle. Luke, 17, is involved in many activities at his high school, including FFA, and continues to help out on the farm as he figures out what direction he wants to take in the future.

“They all seem to have a love for the farm, right? But, they all seem to have a little different niche on what part of the farm that they liked the best,” Ryan said. “You know, as more kids come back, our farm will change. It’ll probably grow and things will happen.”

While Jake is excited to be back on the farm, getting to do it with his brothers involved has always been the hope.

“That’s always the goal. We’ve always talked as brothers, we dream every day of this is kind of what we want. This is how we’re going to get there,” Jake said. “Dad’s always there to help us with what’s right and wrong, what’s always worked in the past and kind of keeps you going up the hill.”

For the Storms, communication remains an important factor when having multiple generations involved in the family business.

All three Storm brothers have an interest in agriculture and being on the farm. From left to right: Kory, Jake and Luke.

“We want to work together. We want to make this farm work. We want to make it successful and still have Christmas dinner together. It is fun to see the three of them sit around the table and we’re maybe not part of it or in the living room. They talk about the farm, what it is today, what’s going on? How can we fix this? And for them to brainstorm off of each other,” Amy said. “Then to watch them to dream a little bit, too and just say, well, this is what we want to do with this one. And, what do you think about this? It’s fun to see them figure out how to do it together.”

Source: mitchellrepublic.com