AdFarm N.D. Farm shareholders and prospective shareholders from all U.S. AdFarm offices participated in an online meeting to learn about their 2009 learning investment.

First course

AdFarm Farm Boss Les Kahl, who spoke from the St. Louis office, began by explaining the unique menu served at this meeting: homemade tater tot hotdish and ice cold milk to drink. “AdFarm N.D. Farm shareholders are like a family. When we win, we all win. When we lose, we all lose. Our pinto bean crop lost money in 2009.  In part to manage our costs and in the spirit of our family-like get together, we had volunteers from each office prepare tater tot hotdish.” Kahl noted that because the labor for preparation was donated, the meal cost was about one-third the cost of a catered fast food meal. “Just like any business, when times are tough, we have to manage our costs,” he said.

Shareholder reaction was overwhelmingly positive. Loyal AdFarm N.D. Farm shareholder Jeff Reed in Fargo said, “What a great idea. And the truth is, I think nearly all of us would rather eat tater tot hotdish every year at this meeting.”

Volunteer chefs were Erin Jarolimek and Susan Hogen in Fargo; Joni Butterfield in Grand Forks; Jason Laqua and Hilary Winn in St. Louis.

2009 recap

Kahl turned the 2009 and 2010 crop presentations over to participating farmer Fred Lukens, who presented from the Fargo office. Lukens thanked shareholders for record participation in 2009, when 129 shareholders purchased 566 shares in the 2009 AdFarm N.D. Farm educational project. Lukens explained the sequence of weather events and decision making leading to the late harvest of the 2009 pinto bean crop.

Kahl thanked N.D. Farm Coordinator Erin Jarolimek for leading the way to 57% total employee participation. Each share experienced a $4.63 loss in 2009.  Jarolimek reminded the shareholders that each share returned more than $15 in profit in 2008 saying, “Farming is long term. Like anything else, we average the good with the bad. Our farm profit history is more good than bad.  So we’ll keep moving forward.”

2010 plan

Shareholders are now tuned in to the 2010 crop, Pioneer 39D97 corn, a 79-day double stacked variety (Round-up Ready and corn borer resistant) variety. 39D97 will be planted on 80% of the acres; Pioneer 39D95 corn will go on the required 20% corn borer refuge acres.

Need a recipe for never-fail comfort food? The tater tot hotdish recip, along with some great photos, is at www.griggsdakota.blogspot.com

We’d love to hear about your favorite hotdish, too.

Are you surprised on the results of our 2009 crop? Comments on our 2010 crop plan?