South Dakota's Matt Birgen Recognized for Years of Service to Agriculture with National Farmers Union Meritorious Service Award

More about Birgen Family Farm

Like most South Dakota farm families 50 years ago, the Birgen’s farm resembled that of the Old McDonald’s nursery rhyme.

 “We raised cattle, chickens, sheep, had milk cows and stock cows – but back then, everyone did. You sold cream and eggs,” said Matt, who bought the land where the farm is today with combat pay in 1955.

 “It was easy to raise the kids on the farm because you knew where they were and they were busy,” explained his wife, Maureen. “Most of the time they were not in trouble because they all worked on the farm. We had a big garden and milked a herd of cows.”

 The Birgen siblings include: Ken, Connie, Chuck, Carol Kapperman, Larry, Deb and Mary LeMieux.

 During the summer months, the Birgen kids would herd their dairy cows home for milking on bicycle. Each morning after milking the cows were turned out to graze about 2 miles of ditches which lined the gravel road near their farm.

 “The neighbors asked us to keep fencing the ditches because the cows kept the weeds down,” said Matt, who farmed the land his dad purchased in 1914. “My mom lived along the road, and the kids would stop in at Grandma’s for cookies when they herded the cows home for milking. She loved it.”

 During the summer months, all seven kids also made time to attend South Dakota Farmers Union camps. They are all recipients of the Torchbearer award, the highest award recognizing youth involvement in South Dakota Farmers Union.

 This was the farming environment in which cousins Larry, 56, and Steve, 64, grew up and developed a keen passion for working on the land and raising crops.

 Today, the men farm just a half mile apart and share equipment and machinery.

“We are small farmers, so by helping each other we both benefit,” Steve said.

 “Because both of our wives have careers, it’s nice to know there is someone just a phone call or text away if we need help – whether it’s one of us breaking down or we need help moving a piece of equipment we are just a phone call or text away.”

 A generation earlier, Steve’s dad, Felix and Matt not only shared labor and equipment, but ran a thrashing business together. “You get the work done of three men when two work together well,” says Matt, who also shared labor with neighbor and longtime friend, Marvin Andersen. When Steve was only 6, Felix died in a farm accident.

Beresford farmer, Matt Birgen (center) was recognized for his leadership and service to agriculture with the National Farmers Union Meritorious Service Award during the organization’s 116th national convention held in Kansas City, Missouri March 4-6, 2018.

 Pictured here with National Farmers Union President, Roger Johnson (left) and S.D. Farmers Union President, Doug Sombke.

Beresford farmer, Matt Birgen (center front) was recognized for his leadership and service to agriculture with the National Farmers Union Meritorious Service Award during the organization’s 116th national convention held in Kansas City, Missouri March 4-6, 2018.

 Pictured here with his wife, Maureen (center front) and their grown children.