CommonGround Farmers


Love for the land, our families, our friends and our food – that’s what fuels our CommonGround community. Scroll down to learn where our volunteers are located, or Contact Us to get involved.

CommonGround North Dakota

Back to Our Farmers

Michele Bartholomay

Sheldon, North Dakota

Our Farm: alfalfa, beef cattle, corn, oats, sunflowers, soybeans, wheat

My Work: farmer, wife, mom

My Hobbies: baking, cooking, photography, arts and crafts, travel, reading

Ask Me About: sustainability and conservation, animal nutrition, animal welfare and antibiotics, hormones in meat and milk, food safety, family farms vs. corporate farms

About Me: I have a passion to see my children be able to live the way we do with families of their own!

Jodi Boe

Golden Valley, North Dakota

Our Farm: vegetables, wheat

My Work: farmer, agronomist, full-time student

My Hobbies: photography, travel, reading, hiking

Ask Me About: biotechnology and GMOs

About Me: I grew up on a small farm in western North Dakota. My family raises wheat, and my mother grows a garden for the local farmer’s market. I am a student now at North Dakota State University, studying crop and weed sciences and agricultural economics. As a student, I love to help others learn about agriculture. I would be happy to talk with you about crops and biotechnology.

Erin Brown

Valley City, North Dakota

Our Farm: corn, edible beans, soybeans, sugar beet, sunflowers, wheat

My Work: farmer, wife, photographer and graphic design consultant

My Hobbies: arts and crafts, baking, blogging, home décor/furniture making, photography, running

Ask Me About: food prices, GMO foods

About Me: I love farm life and the way I grew up. I like to share stories, experiences and values that help people to know and trust the person who’s growing/raising their food. I come from a corn and soybean farm in central Illinois and my husband is from a farm in northeast North Dakota.

Facebook: Keeping it Real: Through the Lens of a Farm Girl

Twitter: @ErinEhnle

Instagram: erinehnle

Pinterest: Erin Ehnle

Annie Carlson

Mercer, North Dakota

Our Farm: pigs, poultry, sheep

My Work: farmer, wife, mom

My Hobbies: baking, cooking, writing, arts and crafts, reading

Ask Me About: local and organic foods

About Me: My husband and I raise three children, grass-fed lambs and pastured hogs, chickens and turkeys on our unique farm. I say unique because we also have a commercial kitchen for catering and for hosting cooking classes, which use ingredients that we raised. Our customers buy our products through our CSA (community-supported agriculture) program as well as local farmers markets. And they know that they can tour our farm, even on Christmas Eve, to see how their food is raised.

Facebook: Morning Joy Farm

Twitter: @MorningJoyFarm

Dana Dagman

Enderlin, North Dakota

Our Farm: barley, corn, soybeans, wheat

My Work: farmer, wife, mom

My Hobbies: writing, blogging, child care

Ask Me About: family farms vs. corporate farms

About Me: Born and raised in a suburb of Minneapolis, I met my husband in college, where we both earned non-agriculture degrees. After working in the Twin Cities, we quit our corporate careers to move back to his family farm, where we now work with his parents, growing wheat, barley, corn and soybeans. I want consumers, particularly moms with young children, to feel safe about the food choices they are making for their families.

Website: Green Acres Report

Facebook: The Green Acres Report

Instagram: @TheGreenAcresReport

Debra Dohn

Wishek, North Dakota

Our Farm: honey

My Work: farmer, wife, mom

My Hobbies: baking, cooking, travel, overall fitness, swimming

Ask Me About: food safety

About Me: My husband, son and I are commercial honey producers in North Dakota. We partner with our neighbors’ crop operations to benefit our honey production. I enjoy educating consumers and helping them understand more about bees and food safety, as I know the more removed we are from our food, the more questions we have.

Teresa Dvorak

Manning, North Dakota

Our Farm: alfalfa, beef cattle, canola, corn, oats, wheat

My Work: farmer, wife, mom

My Hobbies: baking, cooking, arts and crafts, reading

Ask Me About: animal nutrition and welfare

About Me: I met my husband while we were both pursuing Master’s degrees in ruminant (cattle) nutrition. When we moved back to his family ranch, we used our educational background to build and operate a feedlot specializing in heifer development. Agriculture is my livelihood, my passion and my job. It is a job that allows me to put food on my table and raise my children. I want others to have a greater understanding and appreciation for their food and where it comes from.

Alicia Harstad

Rogers, North Dakota

Our Farm: barley, corn, soybeans, wheat

My Work: farmer, wife, Stutsman County Ag and Natural Resources Extension agent

My Hobbies: 4-wheeling, reading, spending time with family

Ask Me About: GMO foods

About Me: My husband and I live and farm near Rogers, North Dakota. He is a 4th generation farmer on this land, and I take leave from my job in the spring and fall to help with fieldwork. I am the Stutsman County Ag and Natural Resources Extension Agent for NDSU Extension. With my background in agronomy, I also help my husband with many of his farming questions. I think it is important for consumers to have trust in farmers, and I love sharing my knowledge with others.

Facebook: NDSU Extension – Stutsman County

Twitter: @AliciaHarstad

Katie Heger

Underwood, North Dakota

Our Farm: corn, soybeans, wheat, edible beans, peas

My Work: farmer, wife, mom, teacher, consultant

My Hobbies: baking, cooking, blogging, arts and crafts, travel, gardening

Ask Me About: biotechnology and GMOs, food safety

About Me: I grew up in Minneapolis. I knew very little about farming or agriculture when I met my husband. Today, I can say that I can think of nothing else I’d rather do. We work hard to run our third generation farm and raise our kids to respect the land we live on.

Website: My Prairie Days

Facebook: Heger Farms

Twitter: @HegerFarms

Christie Jaeger

Esmond, North Dakota

Our Farm: beef cattle, corn, soybeans, wheat

My Work: farmer, wife, mom

My Hobbies: hiking, movies, music, reading, traveling

Ask Me About: antibiotics and animal health, sustainability

About Me: We live in central North Dakota on the farm my husband grew up on, and our hometown’s population is about 100. We have a daughter and two sons. In addition to being a wife and mom, I’m also involved in our community and serve in various ag organizations as well as our local opera house. On the farm, I have been bookkeeper, cook, equipment mover, equipment driver and many other jobs as needed. We love what we do, and it’s a joy to share that with our family.

Sara Johnson

Hatton, North Dakota

Our Farm: corn, edible beans, soybeans

My Work: farmer, wife, mom, small business owner

My Hobbies: arts and crafts, baking, beekeeping, biking, blogging, gardening, hiking, movies, photography, reading, writing

Ask Me About: farm ownership, food prices, food safety, GMO foods, sustainability

About Me: I love agriculture. To me and many others, it is a way of life. I want my boys to grow up with a love of farming like I have. In addition to raising a family and working for our family farm and business, I am starting my first year as a licensed beekeeper in North Dakota. I’m also currently in the process of starting a community-enrichment project for our town.

Instagram: prairiepotluck

Megan Klosterman

Mooreton, North Dakota

Our Farm: corn, soybeans

My Work: farmer, full-time student

My Hobbies: arts and crafts, baking, cooking, fitness, photography, travel

Ask Me About: GMO foods

About Me: I am a full-time student at North Dakota State University, pursuing an undergraduate degree in agricultural economics. My dad and brother are the main operators of our farm in the Red River Valley. It means a lot to me that over 100 years ago, my ancestors broke the ground that my brother still uses to raise a healthy crop today. It’s amazing that our family owes everything to the same soil that has been providing for us for so many generations, year after year.

Vanessa Kummer

Colfax, North Dakota

Our Farm: barley, corn, soybeans, sugar beets

My Work: farmer, wife, mom

My Hobbies: cooking, travel, reading, hiking

Ask Me About: biotechnology and GMOs, sustainability and conservation, family farms vs. corporate farms

About Me: Farming for us is a family affair, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. I want people to understand why we do what we do and why we are so passionate about it.

Heather Lang

Sterling, North Dakota

Our Farm: hogs, oats, small grains, wheat

My Work: farmer, wife, mom, owner of Forever Fresh Special Events Decorators, part time local school bus driver

My Hobbies: baking, cooking, my pigs

Ask Me About:  sustainability and conservation, animal welfare

About Me:  I married a 5th generation farmer, so naturally, we farm. My husband, 3 kids and I, farm next to my husband’s father and 3 brothers. We focus on hogs, wheats and small grains, while they all focus on cattle production. Besides farming, I own Forever Fresh Special Events Decorators and I also volunteer to drive the local school bus part-time. I think that there are so many misconceptions about how we as farmers care for the land and our animals. I want consumers to know that we chose to farm because we care about the land and our animals. We want safe, healthy and affordable food for our families, just like the rest of the public does. This is why my family and I work to educate ourselves and others on the importance of maintaining healthy, rich soil to raise our crops and not only feed our nation, but to feed the world.

Facebook: Heather Lang

Instagram: foreverfreshdecorators

Kelly McDonald

Leonard, North Dakota

Our Farm: alfalfa, beef cattle, corn, soybeans

My Work: farmer, wife, mom, technology trainer/learning and development specialist

My Hobbies: baking, blogging, hiking, movies, photography, reading, travel

Ask Me About: farm ownership

About Me: My family farms and ranches in southeastern North Dakota. My husband farms with his brother’s family, and his parents still live on the farm. I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family and exploring new places with our children.

Twitter: @kellymcdonald

Miranda Meehan

Fargo, North Dakota

My Work: farmer, wife, livestock environmental stewardship specialist

My Hobbies: running, reading, overall fitness, hiking, hunting

Ask Me About: sustainability and conservation, animal nutrition, animal welfare and antibiotics

About Me: I am the extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist at North Dakota State University. My program focuses on livestock and environmental interactions with the goal of improving sustainability through improved environmental stewardship. I conduct research on grazing management and water quality. I hope to help educate consumers about agriculture and help them make informed decisions based on facts supported by sound science, and increase awareness of food production and sustainability.

Twitter: @NDSU_eX_Steward

Kristi Melvin

Alice, North Dakota

Our Farm: corn, edible beans, soybeans

My Work: farmer, wife, mom

My Hobbies: arts and crafts, baking, cooking, singing

Ask Me About: farm ownership

About Me: With fewer farmers and ranchers raising food today, it is important to me to provide accurate information for consumers. I love the career choice my family has made and we want to be able to pass the farm and our love for the land along to my kids.

Katie Miller

Kindred, North Dakota

Our Farm:

My Work: farmer, wife, mom, grain-marketing advisor, farm broadcaster

My Hobbies: baking, cooking, reading

Ask Me About: biotechnology and GMOs, animal nutrition and welfare, food prices

About Me: I know there is a scary amount of misinformation and misunderstanding that is out there about how food is produced. Society is removed from knowledge about farming, and that has left the agriculture industry disconnected from its customer base. Being involved with CommonGround is a great way to help inform consumers that their food is safely and responsibly produced.

Twitter: @ktangmill

Carie Moore

Rocklake, North Dakota

Our Farm: barley, cover crops, wheat, soybeans, oats and 4-H animals

My Work: farmer, wife, mom, district manager for Towner County Soil Conservation District

My Hobbies: ag advocacy, church and outdoor activities, overall fitness, volunteering

Ask Me About:  conservation, family farms vs. corporate farms, food safety

About Me: My interest in farming developed during my childhood when I helped my grandparents on the farm with gardening, crops, cattle and chickens. After continued work with animals as a zookeeper, dairy farm feeder and swine professional, my husband and I began to farm on his family’s land. When I am not farming, I work as the District Manager for the Towner County Soil Conservation District. I am proud to help put conservation on the ground and work with farmers and youth each and every day. Women today are a large part of both household and community influencers and are increasing in farm management. With our knowledge, it’s important that we be voices and leaders on and off the farm. I am proud to be involved in my community serving in organizations such as Farm Bureau, 4-H, Agri-Women and many others.

Facebook: Crocus View-Moore Farms

Blog: tractorroundsandcoffeegrounds.wordpress.com

Snapchat: ndchevygirl

Joey Myers

Durbin, North Dakota

Our Farm: pigs

My Work: farmer, wife, mom, director of leadership with a non-profit farm organization

My Hobbies: running, hunting, snowmobiling, watching North Dakota State University Bison football

Ask Me About: animal nutrition and welfare

About Me: Everything that I am passionate about somehow ties back to agriculture. I grew up on a cattle ranch in Iowa and then moved to Durbin, North Dakota. My job allows me to focus on educating children about agriculture. The best part of living on our small hobby farm is walking our show pigs, which my daughter enters in livestock competitions.

Alisha Nord-Donnelly

Valley City, North Dakota

Our Farm: Corn, Soybeans, Alfalfa & Angus Beef Cattle   

My Work: SE Field Representative for NDFB

My Hobbies: Cattle shows, camping, traveling, riding horses, breeding corgis & family history     

Ask Me About: Animal welfare, antibiotics and animal health, GMO foods

About Me: I am a fifth-generation farmer/rancher, raised in the Red River Valley. My family runs a cow calf operation of registered black Angus cattle. We private treaty our heifers and sell our bulls in western ND every February. My husband and I have our own small herd of registered Angus, Hereford and commercial cattle. I grew up being heavily involved in 4-H, FFA and the National Junior Angus Association. I currently reside just west of Valley City, North Dakota with my husband, Dan. I spend many hours on the road visiting with farmers and ranchers about the future of Agriculture and enjoy learning about the different policy issues within the state.

Julie Peterson

Harwood, North Dakota

Our Farm: corn, soybeans

My Work: farmer, wife, mom, seed-company owner

My Hobbies: travel, reading, family history

Ask Me About: biotechnology and GMOs, family farms vs. corporate farms

About Me: I grew up on a corn, soybean and livestock farm in northeast Iowa where I was an active 4-H member. I met my husband at Iowa State University. After graduation, we married and moved back to his family’s farm, founded in 1918, near Fargo, North Dakota. After a career in software, I joined my husband in launching a soybean seed brand. We have been in business for over 20 years and we employ 55 people. We now sell both soybean and corn seed. We have grown both conventional and GMO crops. There was also a time when our processing plant was organic-certified. So, I can answer questions about many methods of seed production.

Website: Peterson Farms Seed

Facebook: Peterson Farms Seed

Twitter: @PFseed

Cindy Pulskamp

Hillsboro, North Dakota

Our Farm: soybeans, sugar beets, wheat

My Work: farmer, wife

Ask Me About: GMO foods

About Me: As of 2013, our farm joined many others in being added to the list of Centennial Farms in North Dakota, meaning our farm has been around for more than a hundred years. We celebrated three generations of farming with a large gathering of family.

Courtney Qual

Lisbon, North Dakota

Our Farm: alfalfa, corn, dairy cattle, soybeans, wheat

My Work: farmer, wife, mom, elementary library aide

My Hobbies: blogging, cooking, photography, reading, singing, travel

Ask Me About: antibiotics and animal health

About Me: My husband and I are raising 7-year-old twins who are in 1st grade, as well as 600 dairy cows on our farm. In the month of June, we have an open house for anyone in the community to come and visit, get a tour and ask questions about dairy farming life.

Bridgette Readel

Hunter, North Dakota

My Work: farmer, wife, mom, market-development specialist

My Hobbies: baking, cooking, singing, arts and crafts, reading, overall fitness

Ask Me About: biotechnology and GMOs, food safety, family farms vs. corporate farms

About Me: We are closely involved in farming through our jobs in seed and crop protection. We work closely with customers to make great management decisions and offer agronomic advice. I am a market-development specialist, which means I’m involved in training and educating my staff and customers on products, selling skills and agronomics.

Laura Rotenberger

Lisbon, North Dakota

Our Farm: alfalfa, beef cattle, corn, soybeans, wheat

My Work: farmer, wife, loan service specialist

My Hobbies: blogging, cooking, photography, reading, singing, travel, writing

Ask Me About: animal welfare, antibiotics and animal health, farm ownership

About Me: I am originally from a farm near Nome, North Dakota and grew up raising mixed beef cattle and small grains with my parents. I studied health communication, with a minor in agricultural and management communication, at North Dakota State University (NDSU). My husband and I met and NDSU and now live in the house on our fourth-generation farm. I am excited to use my education to shed some light for people who haven’t experienced agriculture on how farmers raise food.

Website: www.mrslaurabeth.com

Facebook: Mrs Laura Beth

Twitter: @mrslaurabeth

Instagram: mrslaurabeth

Pinterest: Mrs. Laura Beth

Reilee Ruliffson

Harwood, North Dakota

Our Farm: alfalfa, beef cattle, corn, soybeans, wheat

My Work: farmer, full-time student, bank teller

My Hobbies: baking, cooking, writing

Ask Me About: animal welfare, antibiotics and animal health, food prices, GMO foods, hormones in meat and milk, organic and local foods

About Me: I am the fourth generation to work on our family farm that has been in operation for 101 years. I grew up in the same house that my father did. My boyfriend raises beef cattle, and I have learned so much about this side of agriculture. I absolutely love his beef operation and I can’t wait to grow his herd with him in the upcoming years!

Twitter: @ReileeRuliffson

Instagram: reileeruliffson

Abby Runck

Fargo, North Dakota

Our Farm: corn, soybeans

My Work: farmer, full-time student, caretaker

My Hobbies: baking, blogging, cooking, fitness, movies, photography, travel

Ask Me About: farm ownership, food prices, GMO foods

About Me: Throughout the years, our farm has produced corn, soybeans, edible beans, wheat, barley and sugar beets. Growing up, my mom’s main role was to feed all of the workers on the farm and I would work right alongside her. As I continue to get older, I am so lucky to continue to become more and more involved on the farm. My dad now owns the family farm and works approximately 2,000 acres. Seeing his determination and continued hard work is a great reminder of what it takes to be a farmer.

Instagram: abbyrunck

Laura Rutherford

Grafton, North Dakota

Our Farm: edible beans, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat

My Work: farmer, wife, mom

My Hobbies: blogging, photography, running, traveling

Ask Me About: farm ownership, GMO foods

About Me: I am a mother of three active boys. I am very proud to be part of the American sugar beet industry and the 2 percent of the American population that farms. Fun fact: our family farm can meet the sugar needs of 68,000 people.

Website: The Sweet Truth

Nicole Schouviller

Fargo, North Dakota

Our Farm: dairy cattle

My Work: assistant underwriter, crop department

My Hobbies: arts and crafts, baking, cooking, movies, running, traveling

Ask Me About: hormones in meat and milk

About Me: I am currently a student at North Dakota State University, where I am involved in several ag clubs and serve as treasurer of the North Dakota State University Agriculture Coalition. I grew up on a century-owned dairy farm that is operated by my dad and his brother. It makes me proud that I grew up on the farm because it gave me a great work ethic. When I make it back home, I am usually doing chores like milking cows or helping to feed baby cows. It is the greatest feeling to see my 79-year-old grandpa all the way down to my 10-year-old cousin doing something on the farm.

Kristi Schultz

Wheatland, North Dakota

Our Farm: alfalfa, beef cattle, corn, soybeans, wheat

My Work: farmer, wife, mom, sales support lead

My Hobbies: arts and crafts, baking, gardening, overall fitness, reading, running, traveling

Ask Me About: animal welfare, farm ownership

About Me: My husband, Ryan, and I have two grown kids, Cody and Kyle. In addition to farming and owning their own cow/calf operation, Cody is an electrician and Kyle is in college studying agriculture economics.  We all enjoy having visitors on our farm and talking to all age groups about our farm, whether it be through organizations, friends, schools or with other moms.

 Facebook: Kristi Schultz

Twitter: Kristi Schultz

Ronda Throener

Cogswell, North Dakota

Our Farm: beef cattle, corn, soybeans

My Work: farmer, wife, mom

My Hobbies: baking, cooking, photography, gardening

Ask Me About: family farms vs. corporate farms

About Me: Along with my husband and children, we raise corn, soybeans and beef cattle on our first-generation farm. I always enjoy inviting people to come and visit my farm because I want people to feel good about how we raise their food and to understand how and why we do things the way we do.

Sara Vollmer

Wing, North Dakota

Our Farm: beef cattle, corn, hay, wheat

My Work: farmer, wife, mom, training and development manager

My Hobbies: canning, gardening, hiking, photography, reading, rodeo, running, traveling

Ask Me About: animal welfare, antibiotics and animal health, farm ownership, sustainability

About Me: My husband, Troy, and I have three daughters who are very active in rodeo. In addition to my roles as wife and mom, I also have careers on and off the farm. In my job off the farm, I work at a community college and partner with local organizations to assess talent gaps and training needs and implement customized programs that ignite individual and team performance. When I’m not working, I also enjoy overall fitness, particularly hiking and running. 

Website: http://saravollmerwhisperinginthewind.blogspot.com/

Facebook: Sara Vollmer

Jolyn Wasem

Halliday, North Dakota

Our Farm: alfalfa, beef cattle, corn

My Work: farmer, wife, mom, soil-conservation clerk

My Hobbies: baking, fitness

Ask Me About: animal welfare, antibiotics and animal health, sustainability

About Me: We run commercial and registered herds of red angus cattle. I am very active in the North Dakota Cattlewomen as the State President. I believe it is our responsibility to get the truth out there about how farmers are raising food. Do you have any questions that you would like to ask me about beef or how we are raising our beef cattle?

Facebook: Wasem Red Angus

Tracie Weigel

Wishek, North Dakota

Our Farm: alfalfa, beef cattle, corn, oats, rye, sorghum, soybeans, wheat

My Work: farmer, wife, mom, registered nurse

My Hobbies: cooking, biking, travel, overall fitness, hiking, hunting, fishing and camping

Ask Me About: animal nutrition, animal welfare and antibiotics, food prices, food safety

About Me: My husband and I moved back to North Dakota to start farming after traveling across the country for his civil engineering career. We are proud to be raising our own beef and grains, teaching our daughter along the way, as well as others, about where their food comes from. As a nurse, I compare animals and people. We take care of our animals just like my patients want to be taken care of.

Sarah Wilson

Jamestown, North Dakota

Our Farm: corn, wheat, soybeans and cover crops, including rye, radishes and turnips

My Work: farmer, wife, mom, professional speaker, program facilitator

My Hobbies: baking, cooking, photography, running, biking, singing, arts and crafts, travel, reading

Ask Me About: biotechnology and GMOs, sustainability and conservation, animal nutrition, animal welfare and antibiotics, hormones in meat and milk, family farms vs. corporate farms

About Me:  My husband and I farm with our three children, who are the fifth generation on this farm. I have a strong interest in international agriculture and have traveled abroad three times to study agriculture. I love sharing the stories of farming to anyone who is interested, and that’s why we’ve created an open-door policy on our farm. Every eater deserves to have accurate information about how their food is grown in order to confidently make food choices. We love to host visitors, but beware, we’ve been known to put them to work!

Website: Farmer on a Mission

Facebook: J.S. Wilson Farm

Twitter: @JSWilsonFarm

Instagram: @jswilsonfarm

Polly Wyrick-Ulrich

Ashley, North Dakota

Our Farm: alfalfa, beef cattle, corn, oats, soybeans, sunflowers, wheat

My Work: farmer, wife, registered nurse, paramedic

My Hobbies: cooking, photography, arts and crafts, travel, reading, gardening

Ask Me About: biotechnology and GMOs, sustainability and conservation, animal nutrition and welfare, family farms vs. corporate farms

About Me: I am a co-partner on our family farm and ranch, working alongside my husband and brother-in-law. Besides our crops, we raise beef cattle on the native prairie grasslands of North Dakota. I love the spring because that means it’s planting and calving season. As a master gardener, summers are filled with flower and veggie gardening. In the fall, my combine, named “Princess,” becomes my full-time office during wheat harvest at the end of August through soybean and corn harvest in November. Live. Love. Farm!

Instagram: @Polly’s_Place_On_The_Prairie

Justina Zundel

Forbes, North Dakota

Our Farm:  organic corn, millet, oats, soybeans, sunflowers, wheat

My Work: farmer, wife

My Hobbies: arts and crafts

Ask Me About: local and organic foods

About Me: We grow small organic grains on my family’s farm, but I spent 12 years after graduating to live away from the farm. That experience was invaluable to me. I am so happy to be back, and now I have a better understanding of urban life. I am a part of CommonGround to bring farming to my friends in the city.