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COLE KETTERLING

“Keep your farming records up-to-date,” Kristi Tonnessen told Cole Ketterling. Kristi’s advice (or instruction, rather) was spoken more than 3 years ago, shortly after Cole was named the 2017 North Dakota FFA Star Farmer.

Cole grew up in the community of Wishek, North Dakota. His family has been a part of this small town for more than 80 years. Farming and agriculture are in his blood, one might say.

Cole learned the lessons of farming while working alongside his dad, Kermit. Kermit learned to farm while working alongside his dad, Art. The generations continue moving back, as the Ketterling family is a product of more than 4 generations of farmers and agriculturists.

For Ketterling, “family farm” takes on a very literal definition.

“Farming isn’t only in my dad’s lineage, it’s in my mom’s, too,” says Cole

Ketterling, “My mom’s dad has been farming with us ever since I can remember. Working alongside

KETTERLING 2020 AMERICAN STAR FARMER

both grandpas growing up, and still today, has been a truly unique and rewarding experience.”

Growing up, Cole explains, he and his family have mostly stayed centered on four main crops: soybeans, spring wheat, corn and sunflowers. Since starting his supervised agricultural experience (SAE) and growing some of his crops, Cole has also grown his operation by adding a small herd of beef cattle. Cole’s growth and diligent recordkeeping earned him the title of North Dakota Star Farmer; a title he claimed in 2017 at the North Dakota State FFA Convention.

That same week, he was elected to serve as North Dakota FFA’s 2017-2018 State President.

Cole knew what Kristi, his Agricultural Education teacher and FFA advisor, meant when she gave him her instruction years ago. He knew he would be encouraged to, one day, complete the application to be considered for one of the most prestigious awards offered by the National FFA Organization: The American Star Farmer. The award is given annually to the FFA member that has demonstrated the top production agriculture SAE in the nation.

The member must have demonstrated outstanding achievement, active FFA participation and an exemplary scholastic record. The American Star Farmer award is not only one of the most prestigious awards given by the National FFA Organization, but it’s also one of the oldest, dating back to 1929 when the award was first given to Carlton Patton from Arkansas.

This October, Cole Ketterling was announced as this year’s American Star Farmer. The award marks the 91st given by the National FFA Organization. In North Dakota, however, Ketterling marks his place in history as the second-ever North Dakota FFA member to receive this prominent award. Cole Vculuk, of the Oakes/Sargent Central/Ellendale FFA Chapter was named North Dakota’s first-ever Star Farmer in 2011.

Though production agriculture is a major part of Cole’s life, and one he’s found success in, it’s only part of how he applies his skills, talents and service. Cole recently started a job with Farm Credit Services of Mandan, working out of its Wishek branch as an Agriculture Loan Officer. Many might be surprised someone like Cole would choose to take on this role after finding success in production agriculture; for the new-hire, this was something very calculated.

“I’m a believer in, at some point in your life, working for somebody,” says Ketterling. “Getting real-world industry experience instead of only working for yourself or your family is valuable.”

Cole continued by listing a variety of experiences he understands are going to be invaluable to him, should he continue farming. “Understanding the financial aspect is important,” says Ketterling.

“Working at Ag Country, I also get to see what works in different operations and how things can be unique to different individuals and farms. There’s a lot of value in a career outside of the farm as a young person.”

When asked what his future holds, Ketterling says, “Learning.”

“I can’t tell you exactly what my future will be and whether it will be farming or lending, but I can tell you that both experiences, right now, are great learning experiences which I know will help define my future path.”

6 WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT THE ND FFA FOUNDATION

HIGHLIGHTED THROUGH THE LENS OF ACTUAL DONORS, SUPPORTERS AND FRIENDS OF THE NORTH DAKOTA FFA. 1 3 Donate to the Foundation via

Set your shopping on Amazon to Venmo, like Brooks has done!

benefit the North Dakota Giving, supporting and donating to the ND FFA

FFA Foundation, just like Katie! Foundation is already easy, but did you know the North Dakota FFA Foundation has Venmo?! When

Did you know Amazon will donate up to 0.5% of Brooks Hetle discovered this, he decided to make his the price of eligible purchases you make directly giving mega easy by simply Venmoing the Foundation to the nonprofit of your choice? Meet Katie for some of his annual donations including his

Vculek, an alumni of the Oakes/SC/Ellendale FFA donation to Blue Jackets Bright Futures and for his

Chapter. Katie set the ND FFA Foundation as Giving Hearts Day donation! Whether you’re donating her nonprofit to benefit from her shopping more $20, a blue jacket, a scholarship or more, we hope than 2 years ago. “This is an incredibly easy way Venmo can help make it easy! Simply send your for everyone and anyone who uses Amazon to donation to @NDFFAFoundation help support the ND FFA Foundation,” says Katie. “Once you take a couple of minutes to set your nonprofit, you’re done.” Tip: Make sure to set up AmazonSmile from both the desktop/online and mobile app. 4

For instructions on how to set this up visit NDFFA.co/amazonsmile or scan the QR code. Sponsor a CDE or LDE, like the Bryan and Janet Strom family! 2 Do you have an FFA CDE/LDE or competition at the ND State Fair important to you? Continue to make it possible by sponsoring it! The Foundation works with dozens of families and businesses who want to sponsor specific CDEs, LDEs and events. The 2012-2013 State FFA Officer team and the Bryan and Janet Strom family have been sponsors of the Extemporaneous Speaking LDE for years! See what

Show the Foundation some CDE/LDEs are available to sponsor by contacting Beth Allen at ballen@ndffa.org or at 701.224.8390. (monthly) love, like Richard does! Recurring gifts are impactful to our Foundation and organization. With an online platform that allows you to set up a recurring gift with a credit card, giving has never been easier. Meet Richard Debertin. Richard set up his monthly recurring 5 gift of $25 more than 5 years ago! “I love being able to show support in this way,” says Send a thank you!

Richard. “It was easy to set up and because it’s automatic, I can support the Foundation without even needing to remember or think to send a check.” It’s not only monetory donations we need! We’d love your help writing thank yous! Consider writing a thank you card addressed to any donor/sponsor of the ND FFA Foundation. Mail it directly to our

To set up your recurring gift, visit office and we’ll send it on to one of our donors or

NDFFA.co/monthlydonation or sponsors. Mail a thank you card to: scan the QR code. North Dakota FFA Foundation

PO Box 6022

8Bismarck, ND 58504