To say spring is a busy season for Master Farmer Devon Wolkow might be an understatement.

Like all farmers, Wolkow, DeSmet, S.D., is busy planting corn and beans in April and May. He's also tending a prize-winning flock of sheep. Wolkow Polled Dorsets is a well-known name in the purebred sheep business. He and his family – spouse, Wendi; and daughters Lexi, Kali, Klyla and Libby -- have shown sheep in 19 different states, and sold rams and ewes in nearly every state in the U.S. and in Canada and Mexico. You'll also find Wolkow working as a flock consultant for other producers or mentoring kids who are raising sheep to show.

Devon Wolkow, seen here in a field of big bluestem that he planted as part of a conservation program, also is a high school track coach. He tries to teach kids how to succeed in track and field, on the farm and in life.

Wolkow also is a track coach at DeSmet High School. He spends several hours every weekday afternoon coaching the boys and girls discus and shotput throwers. Traveling to and attending track meets is another big time commitment.

"I have a great employee, Dylan Noner, who helps me out," Wolkow says, "and autosteer is a big plus. I plant a lot of corn and soybeans at night."

Competitive drive
A common theme runs through all of Wolkow's endeavors.

"I'm a little bit competitive," he admits.

However, he doesn't want to be the biggest farmer and he doesn't want bragging rights as the county's best farmer. "There are a lot of farmers who are better farmers than I am," he says.

Wolkow just wants to be a better farmer this year than he was last year. Each growing season, he aims to produce personal best corn and soybean yields. He continually tweaks his crop management practices and takes time to plant test plots and test strip to compare new products and practices. He is now shooting for 300 bushel corn and 90 bushel soybeans.

Wolkow's paying attention to economics, too.

"I want to do it profitably," he says.

As avid hunter, Wolkow tries to put the land he manages to its best use. As a result, he has converted a large amount of marginal cropland to wildlife habitat.

"It makes a lot more sense to provide a place for pheasants and deer than to lose money trying to grow corn and soybeans on those acres," he says.

Wolkow strives to produce breed the best rams and ewes possible, too. Competing in livestock shows is one way to measure progress toward his goal.

"Devon is an excellent crop farmer and purebred sheep producer as well," wrote Toby Koziolek, Wheat Growers, sales agronomist, who nominated Wolkow for Master Farmer recognition.

Track and field
Wolkow volunteered to coach track when his daughters were on the high school team and the program was short a coach. He continued coaching even after his daughters graduated.

"Kids deserve a coach," Wolkow says, "and I enjoy being able to give something back to the school and community."

He encourages all students to participate in track, no matter their skill level or athletic ability.

"You can learn life lessons in sports. If you set goals and work hard, you can succeed."

Success doesn't have to be measured by how many medals you win, or whether you qualify for the state track meet, he adds. Achieving personal goals, such as setting personal best records, is a victory, too.

The lessons students they learn in school, in sports and at the farm help them later in life.

"After all," Wolkow says, "life's a competition."